Is there a commonly-accepted umbrella term for infinite-dimensional calculus problems where the goal is to compute an optimal geometric path between a pair of points? Three examples of this would be the [Brachistochrone problem](http://mathworld.wolfram.com/BrachistochroneProblem.html), the [Isoperimetric problem](http://www.cut-the-knot.org/do_you_know/isoperimetric.shtml), and the [Chaplygin problem](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaplygin_problem).



The term for problems "like" Brachistocrone?
"*Calculus of variations*" seems an accepted umbrella term; at least, looking at the corresponding [Wikipedia entry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calculus_of_variations), you'll recognize that most problems in this class are of the type you are looking for:


* The Catenary shape
* The Brachistochrone problem
* Isoperimetric problems
* Geodesics on surfaces
* Minimal surfaces and Plateau's problem
* Chaplygin problem
* Mountain pass theorem
* Principle of least action
* Fermat's principle


