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(2000). A Bifurcation Problem in Differential Equations. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 73, No. 3, pp. 194-203.

Multiplicative calculus is based on a multiplicative rate of change, as the usual calculus is based on an additive rate of change. Some student investigations into the multiplicative calculus are described, including an original student idea about a multiplicative Euler's Method.

One hundred and twenty-three first-time parent-couples of five-month-old infants were studied to determine the relationship between dyadic adjustment and marital satisfaction and selected social supports. The identification of need for support, the utilization of support, and the satisfaction with those supports utilized for both child care and household tasks were examined. Mothers and fathers responded separately to Guerney'sRelationship Change Scale, Spanier'sDyadic Adjustment Scale, and to a demographic and social support inventory. One finding was that factors promoting satisfactory marital adjustment were different for new mothers and new fathers. In particular, social supports for child care and household tasks were related to a satisfying adjustment only in new mothers, following culturally stereotypic delineation of concerns.

The marital relationship involves a complex series of interactions. These are based upon the expectations and perceptions about oneself, one's partner, roles, and tasks. Pregnancy can initiate major changes in the marital situation within a relatively short period of time. This has implications for the sense of well‐being and satisfaction of each of the partners in terms of their relationship. In this study of 192 middle‐income couples attending childbirth education courses during the third trimester of pregnancy, the subjects reported positive changes in their overall perceptions of the marital relationship. Interestingly, mothers’ perceptions were more positive than were their partners’. This may be a function of the trend toward later births, and increased ages among first‐time mothers. The influences of anticipatory socialization that the childbirth classes provide in terms of role change and support systems may also be a factor. Further investigation is warranted to analyze predictive variables.

We prospectively investigated the weaning practices and fertility and birth control patterns of 95 educated, middle-class, urban-suburban, married, North American women in the year after the birth of their first child. Mothers recruited from childbirth classes responded to questions about their infant feeding and contraceptive practices during that year. Eighty-nine percent (n = 85) of the infants were initially breast fed, and the mean age of weaning for the 63 infants who had been weaned by 58 weeks was 26.9 weeks. The pattern of weaning was described, including the introduction of solid foods, food-related infant illness, and reasons for weaning. Although 70 percent of the mothers reported using artificial contraception, their fertility rate was higher than that reported for third-world women using only breast feeding as conception control. The data suggest that later weaning, even in this relatively affluent group, may result in direct contraceptive and physical benefits to the health of women and infants. The findings also suggest that the influence of health care practitioners on infant feeding practices may be as great as the influence of cultural values or material resources.