The Naval Academy has instituted a system of averaging the Scholastic Aptitude Test scores of each applicant rather than using the most recent score alone as an admission criterion, having found that average scores are better predictors of academic success at the institution. (MSE)

This section includes brief articles on holding a 'metric review show,' the 'normal' approach to graphing, graphing polynomials by using the powers of the factors, and some sum derivations. (MNS)

Proposes a method for dealing with units that require involvement of units of each physical quantity at every stage of a calculation. Preliminary ideas on algebra and the concept of a physical quantity, equations relating two or more units, calculations of physical quantities, and logarithms are considered. (JM)

Explains the formula applied in Indiana for the distribution of repair and rehabilitation money to state-supported schools. Improvements are suggested, but the formula is still considered to be a fair basis for distributing general building renewal funds among state-supported agencies or institutions of higher education. (MLF)

Explains and provides examples of a funding formula designed to work effectively for an entire facility system to meet the need on most campuses for building renewal funding. (MLF)

This paper describes the possible effects of feedback on learning (associations) using a connectionist tool, the delta rule. Feedback in instruction can be described in terms of the interaction of stimulus inputs and response outputs, an associationist perspective. Here the delta rule is applied to each instance that an input and an output likely…

The development, characteristics, statistical findings, and utility of a faculty salary model used for three years in a diversified higher education system are reported. The model was developed in response to needs to deal with salary equity litigation, make interinstitutional salary comparisons, and better understand factors determining salaries.…

Some little-understood facts about standardized test scores and how they are reported and interpreted are explained. In particular, the practice of score equating ensures that different test forms have comparable scoring. This and other practices are designed to enhance the equity of testing. (MSE)

Discusses three educational system indicators: the number of years students will spend in the system, the number of grades they will complete, and the percent of entrants who will graduate from the system. Describes the computation of the indicators' formulas and presents an example of their application and interpretation. (Author/RW)

A statistical model is presented for processing quantitative admission data that weights equally two or more quantitative elements to ensure that the N most consistently high scorers qualify for the N available positions. The quantitative elements considered are overall grade point average (GPA), GPA in selected courses, and standardized test…

Briefly describes the application of thermodynamics (system at equilibrium) to the study of the extraction of metals from their oxides (dynamic situation). It is more relevant to study the temperature variation of the equilibrium constants of the reaction than to study the free energy approach. (Author/SK)

Sprinting is described by a simple physical model. The model is used to predict the differences between the recorded times for races on a straight track and on a curve. It is shown that the choice of the running lane makes a nonnegligible difference. (Author/SK)

Using three sets of real data, a comparison of four discrete discriminate analysis procedures is made using the actual versus the optimal error rate. The kernel method gives the most accurate results in all three cases. (Author/RL)

The motivation and interpretation of the Fizeau experiment are reviewed, and its status as a test of special relativity is discussed. It is shown, with the aid of a simplified, purely mechanical model of the propagation of light in matter, that the experiment actually cannot discriminate between Galilean and relativistic kinematics. (Author/SK)

Described is a graduate level engineering course on functional analysis offered at Purdue University. The course restricts itself to linear problems, specifically analysis of linear operators on vector spaces. Key applications in the course demonstrating the utility of abstract formulations are presented. (BT)