1) Optimum design involves selecting design parameters like geometrical, material, and functional parameters to satisfy functional requirements while maximizing desirable effects and minimizing undesirable effects.
2) Adequate design satisfies functional requirements, while optimum design further improves the design by increasing desirable parameters and reducing undesirable ones.
3) Optimization equations are formed relating functional requirements, material parameters, and geometrical parameters to optimize aspects like increasing load capacity or reducing cost.