One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that solves an unconstrained
interval global optimization problem specified by a function , wherein
is a scalar function of a vector x=(x1, x2, x3,
. . . xn). The system operates by receiving a representation of the
function , and then performing an interval global optimization process to
compute guaranteed bounds on a globally minimum value * of the function
(x) and the location or locations x* of the global minimum. While performing
the interval global optimization process, the system deletes all of part of a subbox
X for which (x)_bar, wherein _bar is the least upper
bound on * that has been so far found. This is called the "_bar test".
The system applies term consistency to the _bar test over the subbox X to
increase that portion of the subbox X that can be proved to violate the _bar test.
