ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Lagrange multiplier

Imagine you are playing a treasure hunt game where you have to find the hidden treasure. You are given a map that shows you the location of the treasure, but there are rules that you have to follow. One rule is that you cannot step on certain areas of the jungle because they are dangerous. Another rule is that you have to reach the treasure in the shortest amount of time possible.

Now, you start walking towards the treasure using the map as your guide. However, you realize that some areas on the map where you are allowed to go are easier to walk on than others. You want to find the path that is the fastest and safest so that you can reach the treasure in the shortest amount of time possible without getting hurt.

This is where the Lagrange multiplier comes in. The Lagrange multiplier is like a helper who uses mathematical rules to help you find the best path that meets all your rules. It helps you optimize your path by finding the minimum or maximum values of a function subject to certain constraints.

In the treasure hunt game, the Lagrange multiplier would help you find the best path to the treasure that avoids dangerous areas and is the fastest. It would do this by looking at the constraints you have, such as not being able to step on certain areas, and by using mathematical equations to find the best path that satisfies all these constraints.

So, the Lagrange multiplier is basically a mathematical tool that helps you optimize a function subject to certain constraints. It helps you find the best possible solution by looking at all possible paths and finding the one that satisfies all the rules you've set.