We consider the problem of the calculus of variations for a
functional which is the composition of a certain scalar function $H$
with the delta integral of a vector valued field $f$, i.e., of the form $H\left(\int_{a}^{b}f(t,x^{\sigma}(t),x^{\Delta}(t))\Delta t \right)$.
Cases
of calculus of variations as these appear in practical applications but
cannot be solved using the classical theory. Therefore, an extension of
this theory is needed. Euler-Lagrange equations, natural conditions for
such problems as well as a necessary optimality condition for
isoperimetric problems, on a general time scale, are given. A number of
corollaries are obtained, and several examples illustrating the new
results are discussed in detail. |