This conference was held at the Mathematical Research Institute in
Oberwolfach from 30 November to 6 December 1986 under the direc- tion of
J. Albrecht (Clausthal-Zellerfeld), L. Collatz (Hamburg), W. Velte
(Wlirzburg) and W. Wunderlich (Bochum). Focal points during the meeting
were eigenvalue problems in the engineering sciences and in industry,
methods for calculating bounds for eigenvalues, and matrix eigenvalue
problems. Central to the lectures on eigenvalue problems pertinent to
the engineering sciences and industry were oscillation and stability
problems; for these, numerical treatment drew mainly on finite- element
methods in the lectures as well as in the ensuing discus- sions,
questions concerning the quality of the mathematical models applied, and
the choice of appropriate finite elements, were given wide latitude.
Other lectures addressed new research results in the calculation of
(primarly lower) bounds for eigenvalues. The ramifications of these
results were illustrated by numerous examples taken from fields in the
engineering sciences and physics. The extensive use of finite-element
methods (made possible in the wake of major computer advances) has led
to new research in matrix eigenvalue problems, and several lectures
reported on results which have been achieved in this area.