Some Numerical Methods for Solving Systems of Linear Equations

Recent papers have exhibited the basic identity of some apparently distinct numerical methods of solving linear systems (see the list of papers at the end). It seems worth-while to note such basic identities since the single general principle under which the methods can be subsumed may well suggest others, and while one may agree with von Neumann and Goldstine [10], Bodewig [1], and others that the Gaussian method of elimination is the best direct method in general, special circumstances will often indicate special methods. We shall therefore attempt to summarize and unify some of these methods.