This volume comprises a set of research papers that together will provide an up-to-date survey of the current state of the art in numerical analysis. The contributions are based on talks given at a conference in honour of Jim Wilkinson, one of the foremost pioneers in numerical analysis. The contributors were all his colleagues and collaborators and are leading figures in their respective fields.

The breadth of Jim Wilkinson's research is reflected in the main themes covered: linear algebra, error analysis and computer arithmetic, algorithms, and mathematical software. Particular topics covered include analysis of the Lanczos algorithm, determining the nearest defective matrix to a given one, QR-factorizations, error propagation models, parameter estimation problems, sparse systems, and shape-preserving splines.

As a whole the volume reflects the current vitality of numerical analysis and will prove an invaluable reference for all numerical analysts.