[R] how to find the minimum

[Richard.Cotton at hsl.gov.uk]

>      I am a new R user, and not very good at statistics and maths
>      I find it difficult to find the minimum of this item:
>      ((p*(b-1)-1)*(p+1)^(b-1)+1)/p^2
> 
>     It seems that the method optim can find the minimum. I tried several
> times , but R constanly tells that " failure to find b or p"
>     Would you please give some suggestions?

Put down your copy of R, and step away from the computer!  This is a 
reasonably straightforward calculus problem, and you'll likely get more 
insight solving it with pen and paper  ...and if you can't differentiate, 
then now is as good a time to learn as any!

Regards,
Richie.

Mathematical Sciences Unit
HSL


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