The purpose of this study was to evaluate the parallel processing impact of multiple-instruction multiple-data path (MIMD) computers on flight simulation software. Basic mathematical functions and arithmetic expressions from typical flight simulation software were selected and run on an MIMD computer to evaluate the improvement in execution time…

Proposes a mathematical model using the probability formalism to explain why a geometrical law is observed in distributions related to library circulation data. Highlights include techniques based on convolution theory; Lotka's law; and Bradford's law. (Author/LRW)

Investigates the Leimkuhler curve and the Gini index from a probabilistic viewpoint for studying the concentration of bibliometric distributions. The importance of the time parameter and the special nature of the "nonproducers" in bibliometric studies are examined, standard models of bibliometric processes are described, and further…

Describes two mathematical models of the periodical publishing process based on a theoretical analysis. Discusses the publishing process for periodical literature, explains the continuous model and the discrete model, presents partial differential equations, and demonstrates the adaptability and the validity of the models. (LRW)

Given that the examinee knows the answer to item i if and only if he knows the answer to both item g and item h, a "conjunctive" item response model is found such that items g, h, and i all have the same mathematical form of response function. Since such items may occur in practice, it is desirable that item response models satisfy this…

This article presents a model for the motion of a long-cane executing the touch technique and presents formulas for the projected length of a cane adequate to protect an individual with blindness against wall-type and pole-type hazards. The paper concludes that the long-cane should reach from the floor to the user's armpit. (JDD)

Four recent indices emphasizing the interrelationships of score distribution shape, modality, mean, and variance were investigated to determine the reliability of mastery tests. Attention was focused on the values of the indices when the cutoff score was near to or far from the modes of distribution. Five types of score distributions were…

Suggests that ordinal and ratio criteria for equity are independent of one another, but that a plausible mathematical definition of equity must satisfy both criteria under all outcome/input ratio situations. Demonstrates that a modification of the Harris linear formula for equity meets these criteria. (Author/RD)

Reviews the literature on Bradford's law (i.e., an empirical relationship describing the distribution of scholarly articles in relevant journals). A model for the distribution of articles, based on random partitioning, is presented; and a mathematical formulation for a law of scattering is derived. The relationship of the model to Bradford's law…

Develops the formulas for the sum of the numbers from 1 to n and for the squares of the numbers from 1 to n geometrically by utilizing the formulas for the area of a triangle and the volume of a pyramid. (MDH)

"Composition analysis" refers to the mathematics of how component measures combine to produce composite measures based on Bookstein's functions. Composition analysis is applied to the different ways group members might work together such that their individual measures can be combined mathematically to calculate an expected measure for…

An inventory replenishment policy is developed for a deteriorating item and price-dependent demand. The rate of deterioration is taken to be time-proportional and the time to deterioration is assumed to follow a two-parameter Weibull distribution. A power law form of the price dependence of demand is considered. The model is solved analytically…

Modeling data behavior is differentiated from statistically determining a best-fit regression function, as it allows students to develop functions that hold certain attributes in respect to a set of data. Three techniques for developing polynomial models are demonstrated that afford students optional methods for determining appropriate polynomial…

This paper develops a mathematical model for the nonselective harvesting of a prey-predator system in which both the prey and the predator obey the Gompertz law of growth and some prey avoid predation by hiding. The steady states of the system are determined, and the dynamical behaviour of both species is examined. The possibility of existence of…

This paper deals with a prey-predator model incorporating a prey refuge and harvesting of the predator species. A mathematical analysis shows that prey refuge plays a crucial role for the survival of the species and that the harvesting effort on the predator may be used as a control to prevent the cyclic behaviour of the system. The optimal…