Written by a leading developer of such policies, it presents a series of methods, uniqueness and existence theorems, and examples for solving the relevant equations. The text examines existence and uniqueness theorems, the optimal inventory equation, bottleneck problems in multistage production processes, a new formalism in the calculus of variation, strategies behind multistage games, and Markovian decision processes. Each chapter concludes with a problem set that Eric V. Denardo of Yale University, in his informative new introduction, calls "a rich lode of applications and research topics." 1957 edition. 37 figures.

     It should be the happiest week of her life and, on the day itself, the happiest day too. And yet… Despite being the eldest daughter, at age twenty-nine Laura still compares herself to her younger sister. Julia. The forthcoming one, the prettier one, the worldly sister who fought to get away from their dreary corner of England to pursue acting in London... All the while Laura stayed home with her parents, trained as a librarian and dreamt of a man to sweep her off into a quiet, suburban life. Even as children, their differences were marked. Laura was always the one with her nose buried in a book, meek and eager to please everyone, naïve and lost in daydreams… It was always Laura wondering where Julia had run off to. So whilst all the last minute wedding arrangements are under way, Laura is left imagining her happy future. After all, she does whole-heartedly love her fiancé, David. And their honeymoon to Italy will be as every bit as glamorous and exciting as Julia’s stories. But then, Julia shows up out of the blue. At first, it seems it was just a surprise for the wedding, but with Julia, nothing is straightforward. Julia needs money. It seems her career hasn’t been as successful in recent months as she let on. As well as for other reasons… Julia is pregnant – and no one will hire her with child. Julia needs the money for an abortion. Laura is shocked, and even more aghast that her sister seems to have no interest in marrying the father. After all, surely that’s what her sister wants deep down? For once in her life, Laura is determined to achieve her daydreams. But to what lengths? And at what cost? Published in the 1950s as contemporary women’s fiction, Spinsters Under The Skin offers a glimpse into the attitudes and psychology of two very different women. Praise for Anne Piper ‘Miss Piper has a great future.’ — Good Housekeeping ‘She was admired for her intellect, knowledge of education and forceful personality’ – The Guardian Anne Piper was born in Cardiff and met David Piper in Cambridge, just prior to the second world war. They married in 1945 and shortly after, begun the writing of the first of nine novels. Yes, Giorgio (1961) was made into a film. Other novels include Cuckoo and Early to Bed. Anne Piper died at the age of 96 after following an energetic and full life. She is survived by her four children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.