A generalized duality and applications

The aim of this paper is to present a nonconvex duality with a zero gap and its connection with convex duality. Since a convex program can be regarded as a particular case of convex maximization over a convex set, a nonconvex duality can be regarded as a generalization of convex duality. The generalized duality can be obtained on the basis of convex duality and minimax theorems. The duality with a zero gap can be extended to a more general nonconvex problems such as a quasiconvex maximization over a general nonconvex set or a general minimization over the complement of a convex set. Several applications are given.On leave from the Institute of Mathematics, Hanoi, Vietnam.