# Convex optimisation with nonconvex constraint function

May I ask for a convex optimisation problem (convex/concave objective with convex feasible region), if some of the constraint function is not convex, is kkt still sufficient and necessary for optimality (under slater condition)?

• With constraint qualification, KKT will be necessary, in general not sufficient. – user251257 Nov 28 '16 at 20:01
• The condition "some of the constraint function is not convex" is not sufficient information to rule out a possiblility of rewriting the problem so that it becomes a convex optimization problem. As you seem to point out, the key would be arranging for the feasible reason to be convex (which might or might not be the case when one or more constraint functions are not convex, as stated). – hardmath Nov 28 '16 at 20:01
• If you manage to find a KKT point where no non-convex constraints are active then it is the global minimum. – A.Γ. Nov 28 '16 at 20:15
• It's not a convex optimization problem if even one of the constraint functions is nonconvex. That is the case even if the feasible region is a convex set. – Michael Grant Nov 29 '16 at 3:36
• I don't think you can reasonably claim adherence to a Slater condition with a non-convex constraint, at least not in general. – Michael Grant Nov 29 '16 at 3:39

\begin{align*} x &\ge 0 \\ \sqrt{x} &\le 2 \end{align*}
Because these constraints define the convex region $x \in [0,4]$, the choice to present that feasible region using the non-convex square root function does not invalidate the use of criteria suitable for convex optimization problems. One can in principle always rewrite the constraints that determine a convex region using convex functions.