Explain the difference between the objective function and the constraints.

The objective function and the constraints are two key elements of an optimization problem. An optimization problem is a mathematical expression that seeks to minimize or maximize a given outcome, such as the cost of production for a manufacturing process or the profit from a business venture. In order to solve an optimization problem, one must first identify and formulate the objective function, which denotes the desired outcome. This can be written as a mathematical equation or inequality that includes all known variables related to the problem.