## Use of Netwon’s Method to Determine Matrix Eigenvalues

The problem here is to develop a routine that will determine one or more eigenvalues of a matrix using Newton's method and considering the eigenvalue problem to be that of a nonlinear equation solution problem. The simplest way to illustrate the problem and its solution is to use a 4 $latex \times$4 matrix. Let us …

## Rev. Ian Mitchell: The American Folk Song Mass

(FEL 7401-M) 1967 The 1960's were a time of ferment and change in the U.S., and, then as now, institutions had a hard time keeping up with them, let along getting ahead. One attempt to do so was The American Folk Song Mass, performed by the Canterbury Choir at Northwestern University under the direction of …

## The Fading Glory Problem Affects the Prediction of Hurricane Sandy

A few months ago I ran a piece entitled Fading Glory, where I made the following observation re the place where I'm working on my PhD in Computational Engineering: One of the things my advisor oriented us about were the substantial computer capabilities that the SimCentre has.  “Substantial” is a relative term; at one point …

## Math and the Middle East: Some Things Never Change

Every now and then you'll hear a news item about someone's math problem being controversial (involving slavery, etc.)  This gem has been around for a long time: it comes from Marvin Marcus' A Survey of Finite Mathematics (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1969).  It's purpose is to illustrate the use of combinatorial matrix theory, and (stripping …

## The Christmas Story, from the Cofraternity Version

Now it came to pass in those days, that a decree went forth from Caesar Augustus that a census of the whole world should be taken.  This first census took place while Cyrinius was governor of Syria.  And all were going, each to his own town, to register. And Joseph also went from Galilee out …

## It's Hard to Admit When You're Inferior, Especially When You Are

I am amused at the persistence of the New York Times editorial Asians--Too Smart for Their Own Good? AT the end of this month, high school seniors will submit their college applications and begin waiting to hear where they will spend the next four years of their lives. More than they might realize, the outcome …

## The Africans, Emboldened by Options

For instance, the Chinese: China is the largest financier on the entire continent. Chinese corporations, financial institutions, and the government have invested billions of dollars in large new dams, for example. And why? Indeed, many African governments prefer China as an economic partner over Western countries for a number of reasons. First, China's own development …

## Peter Giardina: Song of Solomon

(Music Mountain MMP-PG-1001)  1975 Every now and then an album comes along which, at least in part, takes your breath away, and this is one of them.  It is skillfully done, laced with the mellotron, that 1960's and 1970's instrument that's at once the product of technology and yet difficult to digitize, and profoundly spiritual.  …

## Daniel "What a Liar" Inouye Gone

The last of the Watergate Committee in the Senate passes: Sen. Daniel K. Inouye of Hawaii, a highly decorated World War II combat veteran who used his status as one of the most powerful Democrats in Washington and the second-longest-serving senator in history to send billions of dollars to his home islands, died Monday at …

## No More Time to Run: My Response to the Newtown, CT School Shootings

Events like the Newtown, CT school shootings simply leave one numb.  As one who moves in the halls of academia, the possibility of something like that happening is one that crosses the mind.  When it does take place, it hurts. Not so far from Newtown is Danbury, CT.  Years ago a group of very accomplished …