Optimizing parameters without specifying them (Mathematica)

[yourgoldteeth]

I use NMinimize to optimize a likelihood function. The number of parameters included depends on the dimensions of a vector I pass. I would like to have Mathematica check the dimensions of the vector, declare the correct number of parameters for me, and then solve for them.

Right now, I have to hard code my notebook for each different size of vector I hand it. Is there anyway to have Mathematica either use anonymous variables, or declare parameter1, parameter2... parameterN variables for me, automatically, and use them?

Thanks

 

[Bill Simpson]

myNMinimize[f_,n_]:=NMinimize[f,Table[ToExpression["parameter"<>ToString],{i,1,n}]]

Then
myNMinimize[(parameter1-3)^2+2(parameter2+1)^4+parameter3^2,3]
returns
{parameter1->3., parameter2->-1., parameter3-> 0.}