In this paper (published in The Aeronautical Quarterly, Vol. VII, Part 2, p. 156, May 1956), a set of equations is derived giving the responses at the generalised coordinates q1, q2, … qn which are caused by a harmonic generalised force Φseiωt corresponding to qs. They are equations (26), namely

This note is concerned with a sentence which follows these equations which says (of them) that “ … there is no longer any assurance that the ratios between the constants mBrs in any column of partial fractions are the same for all co-ordinates qs at which excitation is applied, since the previous limiting condition cannot now be applied. Thus the shapes of the ‘ modes ’ which are associated with the various columns depend upon the nature of the applied harmonic excitation.”