Mathematics in Government Service and Industry

Abstract

IN an article in Nature of May 4, p. 571, Mr. John Todd and Mr. D. H. Sadler expressed the view that training in numerical methods should be given to mathematical students at the post-graduate level. The chief reason given was that their experience had shown that a knowledge of the more advanced parts of mathematics often becomes a powerful tool in the hands of the computer. The object of this note is to direct attention to an example which arose recently in connexion with my research work, providing additional evidence for their views.