The problem of solving a differential-difference equation with quadratic non-linearities of a certain type is reduced to the problem of solving an associated linear differential-difference equation.

The new optima and equilibria discussed in the preceding two papers are compared with the results of bargaining experiments between two and three players performed by Fouraker and Siegel. Experiments where players have complete or incomplete information are considered. There is clear evidence that the new optima are operating, and that traditional optima–Cournot, Pareto and competitive (threat)–are less satisfactory in explaining the course of the whole bargaining process.

For diffusion problems, the boundary conditions are specified at two distinct points, yielding a two end-point boundary value problem which normally requires iterative techniques. For spherical geometry, it is possible to specify the boundary conditions at the same points, approximately, by using an optimization principle for arbitrary diffusivity. When the diffusivity obeys a power or an exponential law, a first integral exists and iteration can be avoided. For those two exact cases, it is shown that the general optimization result is extremely accurate when diffusivity increases rapidly with concentration.

A simple model for a problem in combustion theory has multiple steady state solutions when a parameter is in a certain range. This note deals with the initial value problem when the initial temperature takes the form of a hot spot. Estimates on the extent and temperature of the spot for the steady state solution to be super-critical are obtained.

A relation between positive commutators and absolutely continuous spectrum is obtained. If i[Y, Z] = 2Y holds on a core for Z and if Y is positive then we have a system of imprimitivity for the group on , from which it follows that Y has no singular continuous spectrum.

The effects of iron on the uniformity of the field produced by a current-carrying axisymmetric conductor are considered. Using a perturbation analysis a simple analytic expression is obtained which describes the field close to the axis of symmetry. A Fourier series approach is also used to provide an analytical solution to the problem and the accuracy of the perturbation method is estimated by comparing results.

The partially stiff system of ordinary differential equations

is studied by the methods developed in the earlier papers in this series. Here e is a small positive parameter, x and y are n- and m-vectors respectively, and A is nonsingular. A useful basis for the solution space of the homogeneous system is constructed and the method of variation of parameters is used to obtain useful representations of all solutions. Sufficient conditions are derived under which the formal approximation

is close to the actual solution. it is found that purely imaginary eigenvalues for A require more stringent requirements for the formal technique to be valid. A brief discussion of the case when A is singular shows that there are a great number of possibilities requiring consideration for a general theory. it is suggested that local computation of such cases is likely to be the most effective weapon for any specific system.

For the linear quadratic control problem with delay, a lower bound for the performance index is obtained by elementary methods. Using this bound, two important a posteriori error estimates are derived. The first one measures the deviation of the performance index while the second is for the deviation of the state and control variables from the optimal solution.

This is a discussion of some numerical integration methods for surface integrals over the unit sphere in R3. Product Gaussian quadrature and finite-element type methods are considered. The paper concludes with a discussion of the evaluation of singular double layer integrals arising in potential theory.

The long term asymptotic behaviour of a population is evaluated where the age specific fertility behaviour is allowed to change with time. Thus in this article the behaviour of a population is determined with a time dependent net maternity function. It is shown that methods used when the net maternity function was independent of time are still applicable if the change with time is explicit only for the initial population. Further, using the fact that for realistic situations the net maternity function is non-zero over a finite interval α < x < β, it is shown that traditional methods can again be used if the time dependence is associated with ages less than α, the minimum age of childbearing. Recent extensions of Cerone and Keane to include exponential time dependence are utilized and models are presented which are piecewise defined, allowing general and exponential time dependence for the parent and new-born populations respectively. The Sharpe-Lotka single sex determinstic population model is used as the basis for the analysis.

A simple elliptic model is developed for the spread of a fire front through grassland. This is used to predict theoretical fire fronts, which agree closely with those obtained in practice.