As of 18 June 2012, the ECB in total had spent €212.1bn (equal to 2.2% of the Eurozone GDP) for bond purchases covering outright debt, as part of its Securities Markets Programme (SMP) running since May 2010. On 6 September 2012, the ECB announced a new plan for buying bonds from eurozone countries. The duration of the previous SMP was temporary, while the Outright Monetary Transactions (OMT) programme has no ex-ante time or size limit. On 4 September 2014, the bank went further by announcing it would buy bonds and other debt instruments primarily from banks in a bid to boost the availability of credit for businesses.

By 2012, how much did the ECB spend in covering bad debt?

How does the ECB plan to increase the available credit for businesses?

Outright Monetary Transactions

What is the duration of the Outright Monetary Transactions program?

no ex-ante time or size limit

When was the new idea for the purchasing of eurozone bonds announced?

6 September 2012

How long was the duration of the Securities Markets Programme to last?

temporary

Wow much did the ECB steal in order to cover bad debt?

I'm not sure.

How does the ECB plan to decrease the available credit for businesses?

I'm not sure.

What is the rejected duration of the Outright Monetary Transactions program?

I'm not sure.

When was the new idea for the purchasing of eurozone bonds declined?

I'm not sure.

How long was the duration of the Securities Markets Programme that never happened?

I'm not sure.


Rescue operations involving sovereign debt have included temporarily moving bad or weak assets off the balance sheets of the weak member banks into the balance sheets of the European Central Bank. Such action is viewed as monetisation and can be seen as an inflationary threat, whereby the strong member countries of the ECB shoulder the burden of monetary expansion (and potential inflation) to save the weak member countries. Most central banks prefer to move weak assets off their balance sheets with some kind of agreement as to how the debt will continue to be serviced. This preference has typically led the ECB to argue that the weaker member countries must:

What can be shuffeled around during a soverign debt crisis to mitigate the damage?

temporarily moving bad or weak assets

Where do bad and weak assets get moved in times of soverign debt crisis?

the balance sheets of the European Central Bank

What is shuffling around bad or weak debts from a weaker eurozone member to the ECB known as?

monetisation

What is monetisation usually viewed as?

inflationary threat

If the central banks can come to an agreement with the eurozone member about the continued repayment of the debt, what happens to the bad or weak debt?

move weak assets off their balance sheets

What can never be shuffled around during a sovereign debt crisis to mitigate the damage?

I'm not sure.

Where do bad and weak assets become restricted in times of sovereign debt crisis?

I'm not sure.

What is shuffling around good or strong debts from a weaker eurozone member to the ECB known as?

I'm not sure.

What is monetisation rarely viewed as?

I'm not sure.


The European Central Bank had stepped up the buying of member nations debt. In response to the crisis of 2010, some proposals have surfaced for a collective European bond issue that would allow the central bank to purchase a European version of US Treasury bills. To make European sovereign debt assets more similar to a US Treasury, a collective guarantee of the member states' solvency would be necessary.[b] But the German government has resisted this proposal, and other analyses indicate that "the sickness of the euro" is due to the linkage between sovereign debt and failing national banking systems. If the European central bank were to deal directly with failing banking systems sovereign debt would not look as leveraged relative to national income in the financially weaker member states.

What is being caused by links between soverign debt and failing national banks?

the sickness of the euro

Which country has been resistant to attempts to make the soverign debt assets more like the U.S. Treasury?

the German government

Who began to increase their coverage of weaker debts?

The European Central Bank

What would have to happen to make European sovereign debt assets more like what is found in the U.S. Treasury?

a collective guarantee of the member states' solvency

Why did propsals about making the European sovereign debt assets more like the US Treasury?

the crisis of 2010

What is being avoided by links between sovereign debt and failing national banks?

I'm not sure.

Which country has supported attempts to make the sovereign debt assets more like the U.S. Treasury?

I'm not sure.

Who began to decrease their coverage of weaker debts?

I'm not sure.

What would have to happen to make European sovereign debt assets less like what is found in the U.S. Treasury?

I'm not sure.


The bank must also co-operate within the EU and internationally with third bodies and entities. Finally, it contributes to maintaining a stable financial system and monitoring the banking sector. The latter can be seen, for example, in the bank's intervention during the subprime mortgage crisis when it loaned billions of euros to banks to stabilise the financial system. In December 2007, the ECB decided in conjunction with the Federal Reserve System under a programme called Term auction facility to improve dollar liquidity in the eurozone and to stabilise the money market.

What did the ECB do to help stabilise the financial system during the subprime mortgage crisis?

loaned billions of euros to banks

Why did the ECB intervene during the subprime mortgage crisis?

to stabilise the financial system

Who decided, along with the ECB, to use Term auction to help stabilize the financial crisis and improve dollar liquidity?

Federal Reserve System

Besides cooperating with other financial institutions, how does the ECB help to maintain stability?

contributes to maintaining a stable financial system and monitoring the banking sector

When did the ECB and Federal Rserve decide to collaborate on Term auction facility?

December 2007

What did the ECB avoid to help stabilize the financial system during the subprime mortgage crisis?

I'm not sure.

Why did the ECB not intervene during the subprime mortgage crisis?

I'm not sure.

Who rejected, along with the ECB, to use Term auction to help stabilize the financial crisis and improve dollar liquidity?

I'm not sure.

When did the ECB and Federal Reserve decide to separate on Term auction facility?

I'm not sure.

How does the ECB help to destroy stability?

I'm not sure.


In central banking, the privileged status of the central bank is that it can make as much money as it deems needed. In the United States Federal Reserve Bank, the Federal Reserve buys assets: typically, bonds issued by the Federal government. There is no limit on the bonds that it can buy and one of the tools at its disposal in a financial crisis is to take such extraordinary measures as the purchase of large amounts of assets such as commercial paper. The purpose of such operations is to ensure that adequate liquidity is available for functioning of the financial system.

What is a perk of the central bank?

it can make as much money as it deems needed

What kinds of assets does the US Federal Reserve buy?

bonds issued by the Federal government

What kind of asset will the Federal Reserve purchase in mass quantities at a time of crisis?

commercial paper

What is the purpose of buying commercial paper in a time of financial crisis?

to ensure that adequate liquidity is available for functioning

What is a disadvantage of the central bank?

I'm not sure.

What kinds of assets does the US Federal Reserve ban?

I'm not sure.

What kind of asset will the Federal Reserve sell in small quantities at a time of crisis?

I'm not sure.

What is the purpose of selling commercial paper in a time of financial crisis?

I'm not sure.


Think-tanks such as the World Pensions Council have also argued that European legislators have pushed somewhat dogmatically for the adoption of the Basel II recommendations, adopted in 2005, transposed in European Union law through the Capital Requirements Directive (CRD), effective since 2008. In essence, they forced European banks, and, more importantly, the European Central Bank itself e.g. when gauging the solvency of financial institutions, to rely more than ever on standardised assessments of credit risk marketed by two non-European private agencies: Moody's and S&P.

Which agencies have became the authority on assessing the risk of financial institutions?

Moody's and S&P

When was Basel II adopted?

What said that agencies had to start using Moody's and S&P to assess financial institutions?

the Basel II recommendations

Since when have the Basel II recommendations been in effect?

Which agencies have lost their authority on assessing the risk of financial institutions?

I'm not sure.

When was Basel II rejected?

I'm not sure.

What said that agencies had no option for using Moody's and S&P to assess financial institutions?

I'm not sure.

When did the Basel II recommendations lose effect?

I'm not sure.


The bank is based in Frankfurt, the largest financial centre in the Eurozone. Its location in the city is fixed by the Amsterdam Treaty. The bank moved to new purpose-built headquarters in 2014 which were designed a Vienna-based architectural office named Coop Himmelbau. The building is approximately 180 metres (591 ft) tall and will be accompanied with other secondary buildings on a landscaped site on the site of the former wholesale market in the eastern part of Frankfurt am Main. The main construction began in October 2008, and it was expected that the building will become an architectural symbol for Europe. While it was designed to accommodate double the number of staff who operate in the former Eurotower, that building has been retained since the ECB took responsibility for banking supervision and more space was hence required.

Where is the European Central bank located?

Frankfurt

What decided where the bank was to be located?

Amsterdam Treaty

When did the bank move to it's new headquarters?

What previously stood where the bank is now?

the former wholesale market

When did construction of the new bank begin?

October 2008

Where is the European Central bank unknown?

I'm not sure.

What decided where the bank was to be bombed?

I'm not sure.

When did the bank close the new headquarters?

I'm not sure.

What never stood where the bank is now?

I'm not sure.

When did construction of the new bank stop before completion?

I'm not sure.


On 21 December 2011 the bank instituted a programme of making low-interest loans with a term of three years (36 months) and 1% interest to European banks accepting loans from the portfolio of the banks as collateral. Loans totalling €489.2 bn (US$640 bn) were announced. The loans were not offered to European states, but government securities issued by European states would be acceptable collateral as would mortgage-backed securities and other commercial paper that can be demonstrated to be secure. The programme was announced on 8 December 2011 but observers were surprised by the volume of the loans made when it was implemented. Under its LTRO it loaned €489bn to 523 banks for an exceptionally long period of three years at a rate of just one percent. The by far biggest amount of €325bn was tapped by banks in Greece, Ireland, Italy and Spain. This way the ECB tried to make sure that banks have enough cash to pay off €200bn of their own maturing debts in the first three months of 2012, and at the same time keep operating and loaning to businesses so that a credit crunch does not choke off economic growth. It also hoped that banks would use some of the money to buy government bonds, effectively easing the debt crisis.

After the loan program was announced, which countries borrowed the most?

Greece, Ireland, Italy and Spain

What would happen if some of the banks were to begin buying govenrment bonds?

easing the debt crisis

How much does the ECB have to have to pay off it's own debts?

How do you prevent a credit bottleneck?

keep operating and loaning to businesses

Which countries borrowed the least after the loan program was announced?

I'm not sure.

What would happen if some of the banks were to forbid buying government bonds?

I'm not sure.

How much does the ECB need to lose in order to pay off it's own debts?

I'm not sure.

How do you cause a credit bottleneck?

I'm not sure.


The ECB's first supplementary longer-term refinancing operation (LTRO) with a six-month maturity was announced March 2008. Previously the longest tender offered was three months. It announced two 3-month and one 6-month full allotment of Long Term Refinancing Operations (LTROs). The first tender was settled 3 April, and was more than four times oversubscribed. The €25 billion auction drew bids amounting to €103.1 billion, from 177 banks. Another six-month tender was allotted on 9 July, again to the amount of €25 billion. The first 12-month LTRO in June 2009 had close to 1100 bidders.

What is an LTRO?

longer-term refinancing operation

How long was the time to maturity on an LTRO?

six-month

When were the first supplemental LTRO's offered?

March 2008

How long had the time to maturity been previously?

three months

How many bids were recorded at the auction for the first 12 month LRTO?

close to 1100 bidders

What is an LTRO formerly known as?

I'm not sure.

How long was the time to apply for an LTRO?

I'm not sure.

When were the worst supplemental LTRO's offered?

I'm not sure.

How long had the time to maturity been banned?

I'm not sure.

How many bids were ignored at the auction for the first 12 month LRTO?

I'm not sure.


St. John's (/ˌseɪntˈdʒɒnz/, local /ˌseɪntˈdʒɑːnz/) is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. St. John's was incorporated as a city in 1888, yet is considered by some to be the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 214,285 as of July 1, 2015, the St. John's Metropolitan Area is the second largest Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) in Atlantic Canada after Halifax and the 20th largest metropolitan area in Canada. It is one of the world's top ten oceanside destinations, according to National Geographic Magazine. Its name has been attributed to the feast day of John the Baptist, when John Cabot was believed to have sailed into the harbour in 1497, and also to a Basque fishing town with the same name.

In what country is St. John's located?

Canada

What is the name of the island that St. John's is located?

Newfoundland

What city is ranked 20th in largest metropolitan area for Canada?

St. John's

Where on the Avalon Peninsula is St. John's located?

eastern tip

In what year did St. John's have a population of 214,285?

What is the largest city in Canada?

I'm not sure.

What Canadian city was incorporated in the 18th century?

I'm not sure.

What is the oldest English city in the America's.

I'm not sure.

St John's is the largest what in Atlantic Canada?

I'm not sure.

Where did John Cabot sail to in the 14th century?

I'm not sure.


St. John's is one of the oldest settlements in North America, with year-round settlement beginning sometime after 1630 and seasonal habitation long before that. It is not, however, the oldest surviving English settlement in North America or Canada, having been preceded by the Cuper's Cove colony at Cupids, founded in 1610, and the Bristol's Hope colony at Harbour Grace, founded in 1618. In fact, although English fishermen had begun setting up seasonal camps in Newfoundland in the 16th Century, they were expressly forbidden by the British government, at the urging of the West Country fishing industry, from establishing permanent settlements along the English controlled coast, hence the town of St. John's was not established as a permanent community until after the 1630s at the earliest. Other permanent English settlements in the Americas that predate St. John's include: St. George's, Bermuda (1612) and Jamestown, Virginia (1607).

Which city is considered one of the oldest settlements in North America?

St. John's

Around what year did settlement begin to occur in St. John's?

When was Cuper's Cove colony founded?

What year was Bristol's Hope colony founded?

Who forbade the  english fisherman to setup seasonal camps in Newfoundland?

British government

What is the oldest settlement in The America's?

I'm not sure.

What type of settlement began in the 16th century?

I'm not sure.

What is one of the colonies Besides St John's established in the 16th century?

I'm not sure.

Where were fishermen encouraged to set up permanet settlements?

I'm not sure.


Sebastian Cabot declares in a handwritten Latin text in his original 1545 map, that the St. John's earned its name when he and his father, the Venetian explorer John Cabot became the first Europeans to sail into the harbour, in the morning of 24 June 1494 (against British and French historians stating 1497), the feast day of Saint John the Baptist. However, the exact locations of Cabot's landfalls are disputed. A series of expeditions to St. John's by Portuguese from the Azores took place in the early 16th century, and by 1540 French, Spanish and Portuguese ships crossed the Atlantic annually to fish the waters off the Avalon Peninsula. In the Basque Country, it is a common belief that the name of St. John's was given by Basque fishermen because the bay of St. John's is very similar to the Bay of Pasaia in the Basque Country, where one of the fishing towns is also called St. John (in Spanish, San Juan, and in Basque, Donibane).

What was John Cabot's sons first name?

Sebastian

What was the occupation of John Cabot?

explorer

Where did the French, Spanish and Portuguese start to travel to fish yearly in 1540?

Avalon Peninsula

Where is the Bay of Pasaia located?

Basque Country

In what language did Sebastian Cabot write his map from 1545?

Latin

What did Sebastian Cabot write on in the 15th century?

I'm not sure.

Who claimed St John's was named after his father?

I'm not sure.

Who did British and French historians claim sailed into St John's harbor in 1494?

I'm not sure.

Who claimed to have sailed into St John's harbor in 1497 with their father?

I'm not sure.

Who was crossing the Atlantic annually by the 15th century?

I'm not sure.


The earliest record of the location appears as São João on a Portuguese map by Pedro Reinel in 1519. When John Rut visited St. John's in 1527 he found Norman, Breton and Portuguese ships in the harbour. On 3 August 1527, Rut wrote a letter to King Henry on the findings of his voyage to North America; this was the first known letter sent from North America. St. Jehan is shown on Nicholas Desliens' world map of 1541 and San Joham is found in João Freire's Atlas of 1546. It was during this time that Water Street was first developed, making it the oldest street in North America.[dubious – discuss]

What year did John Rut visit St. John's?

Who sent the first known letter from North America?

John Rut

What three countries ships did John Rut find in 1527?

Norman, Breton and Portuguese

Who did John Rut write a letter to in 1527?

King Henry

What did Pedro Reinel call St John's in the 15th century?

I'm not sure.

What did Pedro Reinal find in the harbor in 1527?

I'm not sure.

What king did Reinel write to in 1527?

I'm not sure.

What is the oldest street in the America's?

I'm not sure.

How was St. John's refereed to on Nicholas Desliens Atlas?

I'm not sure.


By 1620, the fishermen of England's West Country controlled most of Newfoundland's east coast. In 1627, William Payne, called St. John's "the principal prime and chief lot in all the whole country". The population grew slowly in the 17th century and St. John's was the largest settlement in Newfoundland when English naval officers began to take censuses around 1675. The population would grow in the summers with the arrival of migratory fishermen. In 1680, fishing ships (mostly from South Devon) set up fishing rooms at St. John's, bringing hundreds of Irish men into the port to operate inshore fishing boats.

Who referred St. John's as St. "the principal prime and chief lot in all the whole country" ?

William Payne

When did censuses start being conducted in St. John's?

When did Irish men begin to operate inshore fishing boats in St. John's?

What grew during the summers in St. John's?

population

Who controlled most of Newfoundland's east coast by 1620?

fishermen

Who controlled the east coast of Newfoundland in the 16th century?

I'm not sure.

What did William Payne call St. Johns in the 16th century?

I'm not sure.

What grew slowly in the 1700's?

I'm not sure.

Who started taking censuses in the 16th century?

I'm not sure.

What caused the population to decrease in the summer?

I'm not sure.


The town's first significant defences were likely erected due to commercial interests, following the temporary seizure of St. John's by the Dutch admiral Michiel de Ruyter in June 1665. The inhabitants were able to fend off a second Dutch attack in 1673, when this time it was defended by Christopher Martin, an English merchant captain. Martin landed six cannons from his vessel, the Elias Andrews, and constructed an earthen breastwork and battery near chain Rock commanding the Narrows leading into the harbour. With only twenty-three men, the valiant Martin beat off an attack by three Dutch warships. The English government planned to expand these fortifications (Fort William) in around 1689, but actual construction didn't begin until after the French admiral Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville captured and destroyed the town in the Avalon Peninsula Campaign (1696). When 1500 English reinforcements arrived in late 1697 they found nothing but rubble where the town and fortifications had stood.

Who briefly seized St. John's in 1665?

Michiel de Ruyter

In what year did the dutch attack St. John for a second time?

How many men defended the attack from the Dutch in 1673?

twenty-three

Who destroyed Fort William in 1696?

Pierre Le Moyne

How many Dutch warships were fended of by Christopher Martin in 1673?

three

What admiral seized St. Johns in the 16th century?

I'm not sure.

Who defended St. Johns from a second dutch attack in the 16th century?

I'm not sure.

How many men were with Martin when he defeated the Dutch merchant ships?

I'm not sure.

When did the Dutch plan to expand St. Johns fortifications?

I'm not sure.

Who reduced St. Johns to rubble in the 16th century?

I'm not sure.


St. John's was the starting point for the first non-stop transatlantic aircraft flight, by Alcock and Brown in a modified Vickers Vimy IV bomber, in June 1919, departing from Lester's Field in St. John's and ending in a bog near Clifden, Connemara, Ireland. In July 2005, the flight was duplicated by American aviator and adventurer Steve Fossett in a replica Vickers Vimy aircraft, with St. John's International Airport substituting for Lester's Field (now an urban and residential part of the city).

Who flew the first non-stop transatlantic aircraft flight?

Alcock and Brown

What aircraft did Alcock and Brown use in 1919 for their flight?

Vickers Vimy IV bomber

Where in St. John's did Alcock and Brown depart from in June 1919?

Lester's Field

Who duplicated Alcock and Brown flight in 2005?

Steve Fossett

What aircraft did Steve Fossett use for his flight in July 2005?

replica Vickers Vimy

What was the end point for the first transatlantic aircraft flight?

I'm not sure.

Who ended their flight at Lester's field in St John's in June of 1919?

I'm not sure.

What did Alcock and Brown fly across the Atlantic in during their 19th century flight?

I'm not sure.

Who replicated Alcock and Browns flight in the 20th century?

I'm not sure.


St. John's, and the province as a whole, was gravely affected in the 1990s by the collapse of the Northern cod fishery, which had been the driving force of the provincial economy for hundreds of years. After a decade of high unemployment rates and depopulation, the city's proximity to the Hibernia, Terra Nova and White Rose oil fields has led to an economic boom that has spurred population growth and commercial development. As a result, the St. John's area now accounts for about half of the province's economic output.

When did the Northern cod fishery collapse?

What led to an economic boom in St. John's?

Hibernia, Terra Nova and White Rose oil fields

For how long did the Northern cod fishery provide a stable economy for St. John's?

hundreds of years

How long did unemployment rates and depopulation suffer in St. John's?

decade

What industry caused St. John's economy to boom in the 1990's?

I'm not sure.

What industry collapsed affecting the local economy for hundreds of years?

I'm not sure.

What has caused St. Johns to fall behind the rest of the province in economic output?

I'm not sure.


St. John's is located along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, on the northeast of the Avalon Peninsula in southeast Newfoundland. The city covers an area of 446.04 square kilometres (172.22 sq mi) and is the most easterly city in North America, excluding Greenland; it is 295 miles (475 km) closer to London, England than it is to Edmonton, Alberta. The city of St. John's is located at a distance by air of 3,636 kilometres (2,259 mi) from Lorient, France which lies on a nearly precisely identical latitude across the Atlantic on the French western coast. The city is the largest in the province and the second largest in the Atlantic Provinces after Halifax, Nova Scotia. Its downtown area lies to the west and north of St. John's Harbour, and the rest of the city expands from the downtown to the north, south, east and west.

Near what body of water is St. John's located by?

Atlantic Ocean

How many Square miles is St. John's?

In what providence is Edmonton located?

Alberta

What is the largest Atlantic Province city?

Halifax

St. Johns is in the northeast of what province?

I'm not sure.

What is the most easterly city in the Americas?

I'm not sure.

What city is London, England closer to than St. Johns?

I'm not sure.

What french city is 3,636 miles from St. Johns?

I'm not sure.


St. John's has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb), with lower seasonal variation than normal for the latitude, which is due to Gulf Stream moderation. However, despite this maritime moderation, average January high temperatures are actually slightly colder in St. John's than it is in Kelowna, British Columbia, which is an inland city that is near the more marine air of the Pacific, demonstrating the cold nature of Eastern Canada. Mean temperatures range from −4.9 °C (23.2 °F) in February to 16.1 °C (61.0 °F) in August, showing somewhat of a seasonal lag in the climate. The city is also one of the areas of the country most prone to tropical cyclone activity, as it is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east, where tropical storms (and sometimes hurricanes) travel from the United States. The city is one of the rainiest in Canada outside of coastal British Columbia. This is partly due to its propensity for tropical storm activity as well as moist, Atlantic air frequently blowing ashore and creating precipitation.

How is the climate in St. John's?

humid

In which province is Kelowna located?

British Columbia

Which Canadian city is the most rainiest?

British Columbia

What body of water is to the east of St. John?

Atlantic Ocean

From where do tropical storms travel from to St. John's?

United States

What is the rainiest city in Canada?

I'm not sure.

What causes St. Johns to be the rainiest city in Canada?

I'm not sure.

What travels to St. Johns Atlantic coast from the east?

I'm not sure.


Of major Canadian cities, St. John's is the foggiest (124 days), windiest (24.3 km/h (15.1 mph) average speed), and cloudiest (1,497 hours of sunshine). St. John's experiences milder temperatures during the winter season in comparison to other Canadian cities, and has the mildest winter for any Canadian city outside of British Columbia. Precipitation is frequent and often heavy, falling year round. On average, summer is the driest season, with only occasional thunderstorm activity, and the wettest months are from October to January, with December the wettest single month, with nearly 165 millimetres of precipitation on average. This winter precipitation maximum is quite unusual for humid continental climates, which most commonly have a late spring or early summer precipitation maximum (for example, most of the Midwestern U.S.). Most heavy precipitation events in St. John's are the product of intense mid-latitude storms migrating from the Northeastern U.S. and New England states, and these are most common and intense from October to March, bringing heavy precipitation (commonly 4 to 8 centimetres of rainfall equivalent in a single storm), and strong winds. In winter, two or more types of precipitation (rain, freezing rain, sleet and snow) can fall from passage of a single storm. Snowfall is heavy, averaging nearly 335 centimetres per winter season. However, winter storms can bring changing precipitation types. Heavy snow can transition to heavy rain, melting the snow cover, and possibly back to snow or ice (perhaps briefly) all in the same storm, resulting in little or no net snow accumulation. Snow cover in St. John's is variable, and especially early in the winter season, may be slow to develop, but can extend deeply into the spring months (March, April). The St. John's area is subject to freezing rain (called "silver thaws"), the worst of which paralyzed the city over a three-day period in April 1984.

What is the foggiest Canadian city?

St. John's

What is the average wind speed in miles per hour for St. John's?

15.1 mph

What Canadian city has the mildest winter temperature?

British Columbia

What is the driest season on average in St. John's?

summer

What is another word for freezing rain?

silver thaws

What city is the cloudiest, foggiest, and windiest in North America?

I'm not sure.

What city has the mildest winter in Canada?

I'm not sure.

How much rain does St. John's get in December?

I'm not sure.

What paralyzed the province in April 1984?

I'm not sure.


Starting as a fishing outpost for European fishermen, St. John's consisted mostly of the homes of fishermen, sheds, storage shacks, and wharves constructed out of wood. Like many other cities of the time, as the Industrial Revolution took hold and new methods and materials for construction were introduced, the landscape changed as the city grew in width and height. The Great Fire of 1892 destroyed most of the downtown core, and most residential and other wood-frame buildings date from this period.

What are wharves in St. John's constructed out of?

wood

In what year was the Great Fire?

What was the most affected area of The Great Fire of 1892?

downtown core

What started as fishing outpost for Settlers?

I'm not sure.

what destroyed the city in the 18th century?

I'm not sure.

What type of buildings date to the Industrial revolution?

I'm not sure.


Often compared to San Francisco due to the hilly terrain and steep maze of residential streets, housing in St. John's is typically painted in bright colours. The city council has implemented strict heritage regulations in the downtown area, including restrictions on the height of buildings. These regulations have caused much controversy over the years. With the city experiencing an economic boom a lack of hotel rooms and office space has seen proposals put forward that do not meet the current height regulations. Heritage advocates argue that the current regulations should be enforced while others believe the regulations should be relaxed to encourage economic development.

What US city is St. John's often compared to?

San Francisco

What does the city council have restrictions on in downtown?

height of buildings

What have the restrictions on the height of buildings caused over the years?

controversy

What is the city lacking because of the height restrictions?

hotel rooms and office space

What does the provincial government put restrictions on?

I'm not sure.

What regulations are widely embraced in the city?

I'm not sure.

What kind of development is encouraged by the heritage regulations?

I'm not sure.


To meet the need for more office space downtown without compromising the city's heritage, the city council amended heritage regulations, which originally restricted height to 15 metres in the area of land on Water Street between Bishop's Cove and Steer's Cove, to create the "Commercial Central Retail – West Zone". The new zone will allow for buildings of greater height. A 47-metre, 12-storey office building, which includes retail space and a parking garage, was the first building to be approved in this area.

What was amended to provide more office space in downtown?

heritage regulations

What height was the original restriction in downtown for ?

15 metres

How tall was the first office building to be approved in the on Water Street between Bishop's Cove and Steer's Cove?

What kind of space is abundant downtown?

I'm not sure.

Who decreased height restrictions from 15 meters to 12 meters?

I'm not sure.

What was the first 12 meter building to go into the area?

I'm not sure.


As of the 2006 Census, there were 100,646 inhabitants in St. John's itself, 151,322 in the urban area and 181,113 in the St. John's Census Metropolitan Area (CMA). Thus, St. John's is Newfoundland and Labrador's largest city and Canada's 20th largest CMA. Apart from St. John's, the CMA includes 12 other communities: the city of Mount Pearl and the towns of Conception Bay South, Paradise, Portugal Cove-St. Philip's, Torbay, Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove, Pouch Cove, Flatrock, Bay Bulls, Witless Bay, Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove and Bauline. The population of the CMA was 192,326 as of 1 July 2010.

In what year where there 100,646 inhabitants in St. John's?

How many communities does the CMA include?

What was the population of the CMA in 2010?

What is Newfoundland and Labrador's largest city?

St. John's

In what year did the St. Johns CMA have 100,646 inhabitants?

I'm not sure.

What is Canada's largest city?

I'm not sure.

What nearby towns are not included in St. Johns CMA?

I'm not sure.


Predominantly Christian, the population of St. John's was once divided along sectarian (Catholic/Protestant) lines. In recent years, this sectarianism has declined significantly, and is no longer a commonly acknowledged facet of life in St. John's. St. John's is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of St. John's, and the Anglican Bishop of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador. All major Christian sects showed a decline from 2001–2011 with a large increase in those with no religion from 3.9% to 11.1%.

What is the largest religion in St. John's?

Christian

What has declined in the recent years on St. John's?

sectarianism

What sects declined from 2001-2011?

Christian

What two religions divide the city?

I'm not sure.

In what year did Christian sects increase?

I'm not sure.


St. John's economy is connected to both its role as the provincial capital of Newfoundland and Labrador and to the ocean. The civil service which is supported by the federal, provincial and municipal governments has been the key to the expansion of the city's labour force and to the stability of its economy, which supports a sizable retail, service and business sector. The provincial government is the largest employer in the city, followed by Memorial University. With the collapse of the fishing industry in Newfoundland and Labrador in the 1990s, the role of the ocean is now tied to what lies beneath it – oil and gas – as opposed to what swims in or travels across it. The city is the centre of the oil and gas industry in Eastern Canada and is one of 19 World Energy Cities. ExxonMobil Canada is headquartered in St. John's and companies such as Chevron, Husky Energy, Suncor Energy and Statoil have major regional operations in the city. Three major offshore oil developments, Hibernia, Terra Nova and White Rose, are in production off the coast of the city and a fourth development, Hebron, is expected to be producing oil by 2017.

What is supported by the federal, provincial and municipal governments?

civil service

Who is the largest employer in the city?

The provincial government

Who is the second largest employer in the city?

Memorial University

What years did the fishing industry fall in Newfoundland and Labrador?

What year is Hebron projected to start producing oil in St. John's?

What ocean industry has been key in stabilizing the economy?

I'm not sure.

In what years did the fishing industry experience a boom?

I'm not sure.

When is White Rose expected to be producing oil?

I'm not sure.

Who is the largest employer in the province?

I'm not sure.


The economy has been growing quickly in recent years. In both 2010 and 2011, the metro area's gross domestic product (GDP) led 27 other metropolitan areas in the country, according to the Conference Board of Canada, recording growth of 6.6 per cent and 5.8 per cent respectively. At $52,000 the city's per capita GDP is the second highest out of all major Canadian cities. Economic forecasts suggest that the city will continue its strong economic growth in the coming years not only in the "oceanic" industries mentioned above, but also in tourism and new home construction as the population continues to grow. In May 2011, the city's unemployment rate fell to 5.6 per cent, the second lowest unemployment rate for a major city in Canada.

What has been growing in the recent years?

economy

When did the unemployment rate fall to 5.6 per cent?

May 2011

What was the city's unemployment rate in May 2011?

5.6 per cent

What is the city's per capita GDP?

Who said the metro area has the leading GDP?

I'm not sure.

When did the unemployment rate rise to 5.6%

I'm not sure.

What is the provinces GDP?

I'm not sure.


The LSPU Hall is home to the Resource Centre for the Arts. The "Hall" hosts a vibrant and diverse arts community and is regarded as the backbone of artistic infrastructure and development in the downtown. The careers of many well-known Newfoundland artists were launched there including Rick Mercer, Mary Walsh, Cathy Jones, Andy Jones and Greg Thomey. The St. John's Arts and Culture Centre houses an art gallery, libraries and a 1000-seat theatre, which is the city's major venue for entertainment productions.

Where is the Resource Centre for the Arts?

The LSPU Hall

How many seats does the St. John's Arts and Culture theatre have?

Where in the city is the LSPU Hall?

downtown

Where is Rick Mercer from?

Newfoundland

What hall is located in the Resource Centre for the Arts?

I'm not sure.

What artist support the Resource Centre for the Arts?

I'm not sure.

What other entertainment buildings can be found in the city?

I'm not sure.


Pippy Park is an urban park located in the east end of the city; with over 3,400 acres (14 km2) of land, it is one of Canada's largest urban parks. The park contains a range of recreational facilities including two golf courses, Newfoundland and Labrador's largest serviced campground, walking and skiing trails as well as protected habitat for many plants and animals. Pippy Park is also home to the Fluvarium, an environmental education centre which offers a cross section view of Nagle's Hill Brook.

Where is Pippy Park located in the city?

east end

About how many acres is Pippy Park?

How many golf courses does Pippy Park have?

two

What other trail besides walking trails does Pippy Park have?

skiing

Where is the Fluvarium located?

Pippy Park

What park is located in on the west side of the park?

I'm not sure.

What is Canada's largest park?

I'm not sure.


Bannerman Park is a Victorian-style park located near the downtown. The park was officially opened in 1891 by Sir Alexander Bannerman, Governor of the Colony of Newfoundland who donated the land to create the park. Today the park contains a public swimming pool, playground, a baseball diamond and many large open grassy areas. Bannerman Park plays host to many festivals and sporting events, most notably the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival and St. John's Peace-a-chord. The park is also the finishing location for the annual Tely 10 Mile Road Race.

What part of the city is Bannerman Park located by?

downtown

What year was Bannerman Park opened?

who was the Governor of the Colony of Newfoundland in 1891?

Sir Alexander Bannerman

Where does the Tely 10 Mile Road Race end?

Bannerman Park

Who donated land to create a Victorian-style park in 1891?

Sir Alexander Bannerman

What modern park is located downtown?

I'm not sure.

What park was opened in the 18th century?

I'm not sure.

Who opened Bannerman Park in the 18th century?

I'm not sure.

Who was governor of the colony i the 18th century?

I'm not sure.


Signal Hill is a hill which overlooks the city of St. John's. It is the location of Cabot Tower which was built in 1897 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of John Cabot's discovery of Newfoundland, and Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. The first transatlantic wireless transmission was received here by Guglielmo Marconi on 12 December 1901. Today, Signal Hill is a National Historic Site of Canada and remains incredibly popular amongst tourists and locals alike; 97% of all tourists to St. John's visit Signal Hill. Amongst its popular attractions are the Signal Hill Tattoo, showcasing the Royal Newfoundland Regiment of foot, c. 1795, and the North Head Trail which grants an impressive view of the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding coast.

What city does Signal Hill overlook?

St. John's

Where exactly is Cabot Tower located in St. John' ?

Signal Hill

What year was Cabot Tower built?

In what year was Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee?

Who recieved the first transatlantic wireless transmission?

Guglielmo Marconi

What hill is St. John's located on?

I'm not sure.

What tower was built in the late 18th century?

I'm not sure.

What two events were celebrated in the late 18th century?

I'm not sure.

Who received the first transatlantic wireless transmission in the early 19th century?

I'm not sure.


The rugby union team The Rock is the Eastern Canadian entry in the Americas Rugby Championship. The Rock play their home games at Swilers Rugby Park, as did the Rugby Canada Super League champions for 2005 and 2006, the Newfoundland Rock. The city hosted a Rugby World Cup qualifying match between Canada and the USA on 12 August 2006, where the Canadians heavily defeated the USA 56–7 to qualify for the 2007 Rugby World Cup finals in France. The 2007 age-grade Rugby Canada National Championship Festival was held in the city.

Where do The Rock play their home games at?

Swilers Rugby Park

Who won the the Rugby Canada Super League championship in 2005?

Newfoundland Rock

In what country was the 2007 Rugby World Cup finals?

France

In what year did Canada beat USA 56–7 in a Rugby World Cup qualifying match?

In what year did France host the Rugby World Cup finals?

What did the Rock loose in 2005?

I'm not sure.

Who hosted the qualifying match between Canada and Europe?

I'm not sure.

What finals were held in St. Johns in 2007?

I'm not sure.


St. John's served as the capital city of the Colony of Newfoundland and the Dominion of Newfoundland before Newfoundland became Canada's tenth province in 1949. The city now serves as the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador, therefore the provincial legislature is located in the city. The Confederation Building, located on Confederation Hill, is home to the House of Assembly along with the offices for the Members of the House of Assembly (MHAs) and Ministers. The city is represented by ten MHAs, four who are members of the governing Progressive Conservative Party, three that belong to the New Democratic Party (NDP), and three that belong to the Liberal Party. Lorraine Michael, leader of the NDP since 2006, represents the district of Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi.

What was Canada's  tenth province?

Newfoundland

In what year did Newfoundland become a province?

What is the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador?

St. John's

Where is the House of Assembly?

The Confederation Building

Who has been the leader of the NDP since 2006?

Lorraine Michael

What province joined Canada in the mid 19th century?

I'm not sure.

What city became the capital of Newfoundland when it joined Canada?

I'm not sure.

Who is represented by 4 MHAs?

I'm not sure.

Who lead the NDP until 2006?

I'm not sure.


St. John's has traditionally been one of the safest cities in Canada to live; however, in recent years crime in the city has steadily increased. While nationally crime decreased by 4% in 2009, the total crime rate in St. John's saw an increase of 4%. During this same time violent crime in the city decreased 6%, compared to a 1% decrease nationally. In 2010 the total crime severity index for the city was 101.9, an increase of 10% from 2009 and 19.2% above the national average. The violent crime severity index was 90.1, an increase of 29% from 2009 and 1.2% above the national average. St. John's had the seventh-highest metropolitan crime index and twelfth-highest metropolitan violent crime index in the country in 2010.

By how much did crime in St. John's increase in 2009?

What city had the seventh-highest metropolitan crime index in 2010?

St. John's

How much did crime in the country drop in 2009?

Where has crime been decreasing lately?

I'm not sure.

What decreased by 4% in St. John's?

I'm not sure.

What decreased by 1% in the city?

I'm not sure.


St. John's is served by St. John's International Airport (YYT), located 10 minutes northwest of the downtown core. In 2011, roughly 1,400,000 passengers travelled through the airport making it the second busiest airport in Atlantic Canada in passenger volume. Regular destinations include Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, as well as destinations throughout the province. International locations include Dublin, London, New York City, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Glasgow and Varadero. Scheduled service providers include Air Canada, Air Canada Jazz, Air Saint-Pierre, Air Transat, United Airlines, Porter Airlines, Provincial Airlines, Sunwing Airlines and Westjet.

How far is St. John's International Airport from the downtown core?

10 minutes

About how many passengers travelled through St. John's International Airport in 2011?

What is the airport code for St. John's International Airport?

YYT

What airport is approximately 10 minutes northwest of the downtown core?

St. John's International

What airport is located downtown?

I'm not sure.

What is the 2nd busiest airport in Canada?

I'm not sure.


St. John's is the eastern terminus of the Trans-Canada Highway, one of the longest national highways in the world. The divided highway, also known as "Outer Ring Road" in the city, runs just outside the main part of the city, with exits to Pitts Memorial Drive, Topsail Road, Team Gushue Highway, Thorburn Road, Allandale Road, Portugal Cove Road and Torbay Road, providing relatively easy access to neighbourhoods served by those streets. Pitts Memorial Drive runs from Conception Bay South, through the city of Mount Pearl and into downtown St. John's, with interchanges for Goulds, Water Street and Hamilton Avenue-New Gower Street.

Where is the eastern terminus of the Trans-Canada Highway?

St. John's

Outer Ring Road is a another name for what?

The divided highway

What does the divided highway provide?

relatively easy access to neighbourhoods

What is the longest national highway in the world?

I'm not sure.

What runs through the main part of the city?

I'm not sure.


Metrobus Transit is responsible for public transit in the region. Metrobus has a total of 19 routes, 53 buses and an annual ridership of 3,014,073. Destinations include the Avalon Mall, The Village Shopping Centre, Memorial University, Academy Canada, the College of the North Atlantic, the Marine Institute, the Confederation Building, downtown, Stavanger Drive Business Park, Kelsey Drive, Goulds, Kilbride, Shea Heights, the four hospitals in the city as well as other important areas in St. John's and Mount Pearl.

How many routes does the Metrobus have?

How many buses does the region have for public transit?

How many hospitals does the city have?

four

Who is responsible for public transit in the region?

Metrobus

What transit has 53 routes?

I'm not sure.

What transit has 19 buses?

I'm not sure.

Who provides service to the cities only hospital?

I'm not sure.


St. John's is served by the Eastern School District, the largest school district in Newfoundland and Labrador by student population. There are currently 36 primary, elementary and secondary schools in the city of St. John's, including three private schools. St. John's also includes one school that is part of the province-wide Conseil Scolaire Francophone (CSF), the Francophone public school district. It also contains two private schools, St. Bonaventure's College and Lakecrest Independent. Atlantic Canada's largest university, Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN), is located in St. John's. MUN provides comprehensive education and grants degrees in several fields and its historical strengths in engineering, business, geology, and medicine, make MUN one of the top comprehensive universities in Canada. The Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland (MI) or simply Marine Institute, is a post-secondary ocean and marine polytechnic located in St. John's and is affiliated with Memorial University of Newfoundland. MUN also offers the lowest tuition in Canada ($2,644, per Academic Year)

How many private schools are in St. John's?

three

How many primary schools are in St. John's?

How many private schools are in the Francophone public school district?

two

What school offers the lowest tuition in Canada?

Memorial University of Newfoundland

What is the tuition per academic year at Memorial University of Newfoundland?

What is the largest school district in Canada?

I'm not sure.

How many primary schools does the district have?

I'm not sure.

What private schools are in the Eastern School District?

I'm not sure.


CJON-DT, known on air as "NTV", is an independent station. The station sublicenses entertainment programming from Global and news programming from CTV and Global, rather than purchasing primary broadcast rights. Rogers Cable has its provincial headquarters in St. John's, and their community channel Rogers TV airs local shows such as Out of the Fog and One Chef One Critic. CBC has its Newfoundland and Labrador headquarters in the city and their television station CBNT-DT broadcasts from University Avenue.

Where does Rogers Cable has its provincial headquarters?

St. John's

What is the name of CBC's television station in St. John's?

CBNT-DT

What channel in St. John's airs Out of the Fog?

Rogers TV

Where does CBNT-DT broadcast from?

University Avenue

What public radio station serves the city?

I'm not sure.

Who airs national shows?

I'm not sure.


The city is home to 15 am and FM radio stations, two of which are French-language stations. St. John's is the only Canadian city served by radio stations whose call letters do not all begin with the letter C. The ITU prefix VO was assigned to the Dominion of Newfoundland before the province joined Canadian Confederation in 1949, and three AM stations kept their existing call letters. However, other commercial radio stations in St. John's which went to air after 1949 use the same range of prefixes (CF–CK) currently in use elsewhere in Canada, with the exception of VOCM-FM, which was permitted to adopt the VOCM callsign because of its corporate association with the AM station that already bore that callsign. VO also remains in use in amateur radio.

How many radio station does the city have?

How many French-language stations does the city have?

two

When did the province join the Canadian Confederation?

What city has 15 am stations

I'm not sure.

What public station went on air in 1949?

I'm not sure.


John von Neumann (/vɒn ˈnɔɪmən/; Hungarian: Neumann János Lajos, pronounced [ˈnɒjmɒn ˈjaːnoʃ ˈlɒjoʃ]; December 28, 1903 – February 8, 1957) was a Hungarian-American pure and applied mathematician, physicist, inventor, computer scientist, and polymath. He made major contributions to a number of fields, including mathematics (foundations of mathematics, functional analysis, ergodic theory, geometry, topology, and numerical analysis), physics (quantum mechanics, hydrodynamics, fluid dynamics and quantum statistical mechanics), economics (game theory), computing (Von Neumann architecture, linear programming, self-replicating machines, stochastic computing), and statistics.

What was the birth date of John Von Neumann?

December 28, 1903

When did John Von Neuman die?

February 8, 1957

What were the occupations that Von Neuman held?

pure and applied mathematician, physicist, inventor, computer scientist, and polymath

What were Von Neuman's contributions to the field of computing?

Von Neumann architecture, linear programming, self-replicating machines, stochastic computing


He was a pioneer of the application of operator theory to quantum mechanics, in the development of functional analysis, a principal member of the Manhattan Project and the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton (as one of the few originally appointed), and a key figure in the development of game theory and the concepts of cellular automata, the universal constructor and the digital computer. He published 150 papers in his life; 60 in pure mathematics, 20 in physics, and 60 in applied mathematics. His last work, an unfinished manuscript written while in the hospital, was later published in book form as The Computer and the Brain.

How many papers did Von Neumann publish?

What is the name of Von Neumann's last work?

The Computer and the Brain

What high profile controversial project was Von Neumann a prinipal of?

Manhattan Project

Of his published works, what topics were they covering?

60 in pure mathematics, 20 in physics, and 60 in applied mathematics


Von Neumann's mathematical analysis of the structure of self-replication preceded the discovery of the structure of DNA. In a short list of facts about his life he submitted to the National Academy of Sciences, he stated "The part of my work I consider most essential is that on quantum mechanics, which developed in Göttingen in 1926, and subsequently in Berlin in 1927–1929. Also, my work on various forms of operator theory, Berlin 1930 and Princeton 1935–1939; on the ergodic theorem, Princeton, 1931–1932."

Von Neumann's study of what preceded the discovery of DNA?

mathematical analysis of the structure of self-replication

What part of his work did Von Neumann consider to be his most important?

quantum mechanics

Where was quantum mechanics developed?

Göttingen

What work did Von Nemann do in Berlin in 1930 and Princeton 1935 - 39?

operator theory

What was the topic of Von Neumann's work at Princeton in 1931 - 32?

ergodic theorem


During World War II he worked on the Manhattan Project with J. Robert Oppenheimer and Edward Teller, developing the mathematical models behind the explosive lenses used in the implosion-type nuclear weapon. After the war, he served on the General Advisory Committee of the United States Atomic Energy Commission, and later as one of its commissioners. He was a consultant to a number of organizations, including the United States Air Force, the Armed Forces Special Weapons Project, and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Along with theoretical physicist Edward Teller, mathematician Stanislaw Ulam, and others, he worked out key steps in the nuclear physics involved in thermonuclear reactions and the hydrogen bomb.

With whom did Von Neumann work on the Manhattan Project?

J. Robert Oppenheimer and Edward Teller

Post World War II, in what role did Von Neumann work?

General Advisory Committee of the United States Atomic Energy Commission

For what organizations was Von Neumann a consultant after World War II?

United States Air Force, the Armed Forces Special Weapons Project, and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

What keys steps did Von Neumann work out that contributed to weapons of war?

key steps in the nuclear physics involved in thermonuclear reactions and the hydrogen bomb


Von Neumann was born Neumann János Lajos (in Hungarian the family name comes first), Hebrew name Yonah, in Budapest, Kingdom of Hungary, which was then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, to wealthy Jewish parents of the Haskalah. He was the eldest of three children. He had two younger brothers: Michael, born in 1907, and Nicholas, who was born in 1911. His father, Neumann Miksa (Max Neumann) was a banker, who held a doctorate in law. He had moved to Budapest from Pécs at the end of the 1880s. Miksa's father and grandfather were both born in Ond (now part of the town of Szerencs), Zemplén County, northern Hungary. John's mother was Kann Margit (Margaret Kann); her parents were Jakab Kann and Katalin Meisels. Three generations of the Kann family lived in spacious apartments above the Kann-Heller offices in Budapest; von Neumann's family occupied an 18-room apartment on the top floor.

Where was Von Neumann born?

Budapest

Did Von Neumann have any siblings?

two younger brothers

What occupation did Von Neumann father hold?

banker

When did Von Neuman's father move from Pecs to Budapest?

end of the 1880s

What was Von Neumann's mother's name?

Kann Margit


In 1913, his father was elevated to the nobility for his service to the Austro-Hungarian Empire by Emperor Franz Joseph. The Neumann family thus acquired the hereditary appellation Margittai, meaning of Marghita. The family had no connection with the town; the appellation was chosen in reference to Margaret, as was those chosen coat of arms depicting three marguerites. Neumann János became Margittai Neumann János (John Neumann of Marghita), which he later changed to the German Johann von Neumann.

In what year was Von Neumann's father elevated to nobility?

What Emperor elevated Von Neumann's father to nobility?

Emperor Franz Joseph

What town did Von Neumann's family become associated when elevated to nobility?

Marghita

What was Von Neumann's given name as member of Austro-Hungarian nobility?

Margittai Neumann János


Formal schooling did not start in Hungary until the age of ten. Instead, governesses taught von Neumann, his brothers and his cousins. Max believed that knowledge of languages other than Hungarian was essential, so the children were tutored in English, French, German and Italian. By the age of 8, von Neumann was familiar with differential and integral calculus, but he was particularly interested in history, reading his way through Wilhelm Oncken's Allgemeine Geschichte in Einzeldarstellungen. A copy was contained in a private library Max purchased. One of the rooms in the apartment was converted into a library and reading room, with bookshelves from ceiling to floor.

At what age did schooling begin in Hungary?

ten

Who taught children before they began school in Hungary?

governesses

What languages were Von Neumann and his siblings taught?

English, French, German and Italian

At what age was Von Neumann familiar with calculus?


Von Neumann entered the Lutheran Fasori Evangelikus Gimnázium in 1911. This was one of the best schools in Budapest, part of a brilliant education system designed for the elite. Under the Hungarian system, children received all their education at the one gymnasium. Despite being run by the Lutheran Church, the majority of its pupils were Jewish. The school system produced a generation noted for intellectual achievement, that included Theodore von Kármán (b. 1881), George de Hevesy (b. 1885), Leó Szilárd (b. 1898), Eugene Wigner (b. 1902), Edward Teller (b. 1908), and Paul Erdős (b. 1913). Collectively, they were sometimes known as Martians. Wigner was a year ahead of von Neumann at the Lutheran School. When asked why the Hungary of his generation had produced so many geniuses, Wigner, who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1963, replied that von Neumann was the only genius.

What did Von Neumann enter in 1911?

Lutheran Fasori Evangelikus Gimnázium

In what room did children get education in Hungary?

gymnasium

What collective name was given to the generation of scholars produced by the Hungarian school system?

Martians

In what year did Wigner win Nobel Prize?


Although Max insisted von Neumann attend school at the grade level appropriate to his age, he agreed to hire private tutors to give him advanced instruction in those areas in which he had displayed an aptitude. At the age of 15, he began to study advanced calculus under the renowned analyst Gábor Szegő. On their first meeting, Szegő was so astounded with the boy's mathematical talent that he was brought to tears. Some of von Neumann's instant solutions to the problems in calculus posed by Szegő, sketched out on his father's stationery, are still on display at the von Neumann archive in Budapest. By the age of 19, von Neumann had published two major mathematical papers, the second of which gave the modern definition of ordinal numbers, which superseded Georg Cantor's definition. At the conclusion of his education at the gymnasium, von Neumann sat for and won the Eötvös Prize, a national prize for mathematics.

At what age did Von Neumann begin to study advance calculus?

Who did Von Neumann begin his studies of advanced calculus under?

Gábor Szegő

By 19 how many papers had Von Neumann published?

two major mathematical papers

Von Neumann's modern definition of ordinal numbers superseded whose definition?

Georg Cantor

What prize did Von Neuman win at the conclusion of his gymansium formal education?

Eötvös Prize, a national prize for mathematics


Since there were few posts in Hungary for mathematicians, and those were not well-paid, his father wanted von Neumann to follow him into industry and therefore invest his time in a more financially useful endeavor than mathematics. So it was decided that the best career path was to become a chemical engineer. This was not something that von Neumann had much knowledge of, so it was arranged for him to take a two-year non-degree course in chemistry at the University of Berlin, after which he sat the entrance exam to the prestigious ETH Zurich, which he passed in September 1923. At the same time, von Neumann also entered Pázmány Péter University in Budapest, as a Ph.D. candidate in mathematics. For his thesis, he chose to produce an axiomatization of Cantor's set theory. He passed his final examinations for his Ph.D. soon after graduating from ETH Zurich in 1926. He then went to the University of Göttingen on a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation to study mathematics under David Hilbert.

What career path was decided upon for Von Neuman?

chemical engineer

At what university was it arranged for Von Neumann to enter a chemistry program?

University of Berlin

Where did Von Neumann study as a PHD candidate?

Pázmány Péter University in Budapest

What was the topic of Von Neuman's thesis?

axiomatization of Cantor's set theory


Von Neumann's habilitation was completed on December 13, 1927, and he started his lectures as a privatdozent at the University of Berlin in 1928. By the end of 1927, von Neumann had published twelve major papers in mathematics, and by the end of 1929, thirty-two papers, at a rate of nearly one major paper per month. His reputed powers of speedy, massive memorization and recall allowed him to recite volumes of information, and even entire directories, with ease. In 1929, he briefly became a privatdozent at the University of Hamburg, where the prospects of becoming a tenured professor were better, but in October of that year a better offer presented itself when he was invited to Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey.

Where did Von Neumann begin to lecture in 1928?

University of Berlin

By the end of 1927 how many papers had Von Neuman written?

twelve major papers in mathematics

How many papers had Von Neumann written by 1929?

thirty-two papers

What better offer came for Von Neumann in 1930?

Princeton University


On New Year's Day in 1930, von Neumann married Mariette Kövesi, who had studied economics at the Budapest University. Before his marriage he was baptized a Catholic. Max had died in 1929. None of the family had converted to Christianity while he was alive, but afterwards they all did. They had one child, a daughter, Marina, who is now a distinguished professor of business administration and public policy at the University of Michigan. The couple divorced in 1937. In October 1938, von Neumann married Klara Dan, whom he had met during his last trips back to Budapest prior to the outbreak of World War II.

When did Von Neumann get married?

New Year's Day in 1930

What was Von Neumann's wife's name?

Mariette Kövesi

Before marriage what faith did Von Neumann join?

he was baptized a Catholic.

What was Von Neumann's child's name?

Marina

When did Von Neumann get married for a second time?

October 1938


In 1933, von Neumann was offered a lifetime professorship on the faculty of the Institute for Advanced Study when the institute's plan to appoint Hermann Weyl fell through. He remained a mathematics professor there until his death, although he announced that shortly before his intention to resign and become a professor at large at the University of California. His mother, brothers and in-laws followed John to the United States in 1939. Von Neumann anglicized his first name to John, keeping the German-aristocratic surname of von Neumann. His brothers changed theirs to "Neumann" and "Vonneumann". Von Neumann became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1937, and immediately tried to become a lieutenant in the United States Army's Officers Reserve Corps. He passed the exams easily, but was ultimately rejected because of his age. His prewar analysis is often quoted. Asked about how France would stand up to Germany he said "Oh, France won't matter."

In what year was Von Neumann offered a lifetime professorship?

In what year did Von Neumann's mother and siblings join him in U.S?

In what year did Von Neumann become a naturalized citizen of US?

Why was Neuman rejected from joining US Army?

age


Von Neumann liked to eat and drink; his wife, Klara, said that he could count everything except calories. He enjoyed Yiddish and "off-color" humor (especially limericks). He was a non-smoker. At Princeton he received complaints for regularly playing extremely loud German march music on his gramophone, which distracted those in neighbouring offices, including Albert Einstein, from their work. Von Neumann did some of his best work blazingly fast in noisy, chaotic environments, and once admonished his wife for preparing a quiet study for him to work in. He never used it, preferring the couple's living room with its television playing loudly.

What type of "off color" humor did Von Neumann especially enjoy?

limericks

What complaints did Von Neumann's neighbor's have?

regularly playing extremely loud German march music

What famous neighbor did Von Neumann have that may have been distracted by the music Von Neumann played?

Albert Einstein,


Von Neumann's closest friend in the United States was mathematician Stanislaw Ulam. A later friend of Ulam's, Gian-Carlo Rota writes: "They would spend hours on end gossiping and giggling, swapping Jewish jokes, and drifting in and out of mathematical talk." When von Neumann was dying in hospital, every time Ulam would visit he would come prepared with a new collection of jokes to cheer up his friend. He believed that much of his mathematical thought occurred intuitively, and he would often go to sleep with a problem unsolved, and know the answer immediately upon waking up.

What mathematician was Von Nemann's closest friend?

Stanislaw Ulam

What topics of conversation would Ulam and Von Neumann typically share?

gossiping and giggling, swapping Jewish jokes, and drifting in and out of mathematical talk

What would Ulam use to cheer up Von Neumann in the hospital?

a new collection of jokes


The axiomatization of mathematics, on the model of Euclid's Elements, had reached new levels of rigour and breadth at the end of the 19th century, particularly in arithmetic, thanks to the axiom schema of Richard Dedekind and Charles Sanders Peirce, and geometry, thanks to David Hilbert. At the beginning of the 20th century, efforts to base mathematics on naive set theory suffered a setback due to Russell's paradox (on the set of all sets that do not belong to themselves). The problem of an adequate axiomatization of set theory was resolved implicitly about twenty years later by Ernst Zermelo and Abraham Fraenkel. Zermelo–Fraenkel set theory provided a series of principles that allowed for the construction of the sets used in the everyday practice of mathematics. But they did not explicitly exclude the possibility of the existence of a set that belongs to itself. In his doctoral thesis of 1925, von Neumann demonstrated two techniques to exclude such sets—the axiom of foundation and the notion of class.

What caused a setback in naive set theory at the beginning of 20th century?

Russell's paradox

Who resolved the problem of adequate axiomatization of set theory?

Ernst Zermelo and Abraham Fraenkel

What 2 techniques did Von Neumann use to exclude sets in his doctoral thesis in 1925?

the axiom of foundation and the notion of class.


The axiom of foundation established that every set can be constructed from the bottom up in an ordered succession of steps by way of the principles of Zermelo and Fraenkel, in such a manner that if one set belongs to another then the first must necessarily come before the second in the succession, hence excluding the possibility of a set belonging to itself. To demonstrate that the addition of this new axiom to the others did not produce contradictions, von Neumann introduced a method of demonstration, called the method of inner models, which later became an essential instrument in set theory.

What is the method to demonstrate that no contradictions were created by the addition of axiom of foundation?

method of inner models

Zermelo and Fraenkel's axiom of foundation established that every set be constructed how?

from the bottom up in an ordered succession of steps

What excluded a set from belonging to itself in set theory?

if one set belongs to another then the first must necessarily come before the second in the succession


The second approach to the problem took as its base the notion of class, and defines a set as a class which belongs to other classes, while a proper class is defined as a class which does not belong to other classes. Under the Zermelo–Fraenkel approach, the axioms impede the construction of a set of all sets which do not belong to themselves. In contrast, under the von Neumann approach, the class of all sets which do not belong to themselves can be constructed, but it is a proper class and not a set.

What is a proper class?

a class which does not belong to other classes

Under what approach does an axiom impede a set of all sets which do not belong to themselves?

Zermelo–Fraenkel

Under Von Neumann's approach can a class of all sets that do not belong to themselves be constructed?

class of all sets which do not belong to themselves can be constructed, but it is a proper class and not a set.


With this contribution of von Neumann, the axiomatic system of the theory of sets became fully satisfactory, and the next question was whether or not it was also definitive, and not subject to improvement. A strongly negative answer arrived in September 1930 at the historic mathematical Congress of Königsberg, in which Kurt Gödel announced his first theorem of incompleteness: the usual axiomatic systems are incomplete, in the sense that they cannot prove every truth which is expressible in their language. This result was sufficiently innovative as to confound the majority of mathematicians of the time.

In 1930 who gave a strongly negative answer to Von Neuman's approach to the axiomatic system of theory of sets?

Kurt Gödel

What was the central theme of Godel's announcement that the axiomatic system was not complete?

they cannot prove every truth which is expressible in their language

Where was Godel's statement about axiomatic system made in 1930?

Congress of Königsberg


But von Neumann, who had participated at the Congress, confirmed his fame as an instantaneous thinker, and in less than a month was able to communicate to Gödel himself an interesting consequence of his theorem: namely that the usual axiomatic systems are unable to demonstrate their own consistency. However, Gödel had already discovered this consequence, now known as his second incompleteness theorem and sent von Neumann a preprint of his article containing both incompleteness theorems. Von Neumann acknowledged Gödel's priority in his next letter. He never thought much of "the American system of claiming personal priority for everything."

How long did it take von Neumann to figure a response to theory of incompleteness?

less than a month

What was the consequence of the theory of incompleteness?

usual axiomatic systems are unable to demonstrate their own consistency

Upon revising the theory of incompleteness, what was the name of the new Godel theory?

second incompleteness theorem


Von Neumann founded the field of continuous geometry. It followed his path-breaking work on rings of operators. In mathematics, continuous geometry is an analogue of complex projective geometry, where instead of the dimension of a subspace being in a discrete set 0, 1, ..., n, it can be an element of the unit interval [0,1]. Von Neumann was motivated by his discovery of von Neumann algebras with a dimension function taking a continuous range of dimensions, and the first example of a continuous geometry other than projective space was the projections of the hyperfinite type II factor.

What field did Von Neuman establish?

continuous geometry.

What is the distinction of continuous geometry?

instead of the dimension of a subspace being in a discrete set 0, 1, ..., n, it can be an element of the unit interval

What was the first example of continuous geometry?

projections of the hyperfinite type II factor


In a series of famous papers, von Neumann made spectacular contributions to measure theory. The work of Banach had implied that the problem of measure has a positive solution if n = 1 or n = 2 and a negative solution in all other cases. Von Neumann's work argued that the "problem is essentially group-theoretic in character, and that, in particular, for the solvability of the problem of measure the ordinary algebraic concept of solvability of a group is relevant. Thus, according to von Neumann, it is the change of group that makes a difference, not the change of space."

In what way did von Neumann make spectacular contributions to measure theory?

In a series of famous papers

What concept was relevant to the solvability of the problem of measure?

algebraic concept of solvability of a group is relevant

According to von Neumann what is the most important part of the problem of measure?

change of group that makes a difference, not the change of space


In a number of von Neumann's papers, the methods of argument he employed are considered even more significant than the results. In anticipation of his later study of dimension theory in algebras of operators, von Neumann used results on equivalence by finite decomposition, and reformulated the problem of measure in terms of functions. In his 1936 paper on analytic measure theory, he used the Haar theorem in the solution of Hilbert's fifth problem in the case of compact groups. In 1938, he was awarded the Bôcher Memorial Prize for his work in analysis.

What is often considered more important than the results of von Neumann's papers?

methods of argument he employed

In 1938 what was von Neumann awarded?

Bôcher Memorial Prize

What did von Neumann use the Haar theorem to solve in a 1936 paper?

Hilbert's fifth problem in the case of compact groups


Von Neumann introduced the study of rings of operators, through the von Neumann algebras. A von Neumann algebra is a *-algebra of bounded operators on a Hilbert space that is closed in the weak operator topology and contains the identity operator. The von Neumann bicommutant theorem shows that the analytic definition is equivalent to a purely algebraic definition as an algebra of symmetries. The direct integral was introduced in 1949 by John von Neumann. One of von Neumann's analyses was to reduce the classification of von Neumann algebras on separable Hilbert spaces to the classification of factors.

What is von Neumann algebra?

algebra of bounded operators on a Hilbert space that is closed in the weak operator topology and contains the identity operator

What does the von Neumann bicommutant theorem show?

the analytic definition is equivalent to a purely algebraic definition as an algebra of symmetries.

When was direct integral introduced by von Neumann?

What was introduced in von Neumann algebras?

study of rings of operators


Von Neumann worked on lattice theory between 1937 and 1939. Von Neumann provided an abstract exploration of dimension in completed complemented modular topological lattices: "Dimension is determined, up to a positive linear transformation, by the following two properties. It is conserved by perspective mappings ("perspectivities") and ordered by inclusion. The deepest part of the proof concerns the equivalence of perspectivity with "projectivity by decomposition"—of which a corollary is the transitivity of perspectivity." Garrett Birkhoff writes: "John von Neumann's brilliant mind blazed over lattice theory like a meteor".

What did von Neumann work on in 1937 - 39?

lattice theory

What properties determine dimension in lattice theory?

conserved by perspective mappings ("perspectivities") and ordered by inclusion

Who wrote that "John von Neumann's brilliant mind blazed over lattice theory like a meteor?"

Garrett Birkhoff


Additionally, "[I]n the general case, von Neumann proved the following basic representation theorem. Any complemented modular lattice L having a "basis" of n≥4 pairwise perspective elements, is isomorphic with the lattice ℛ(R) of all principal right-ideals of a suitable regular ring R. This conclusion is the culmination of 140 pages of brilliant and incisive algebra involving entirely novel axioms. Anyone wishing to get an unforgettable impression of the razor edge of von Neumann's mind, need merely try to pursue this chain of exact reasoning for himself—realizing that often five pages of it were written down before breakfast, seated at a living room writing-table in a bathrobe."

What type of axioms were used by von Neumann in his lattice work?

novel axioms

How long was von Neumann's lattice theory paper?

140 pages

In what room did von Neumann often write at home?

living room writing-table


Von Neumann was the first to establish a rigorous mathematical framework for quantum mechanics, known as the Dirac–von Neumann axioms, with his 1932 work Mathematical Foundations of Quantum Mechanics. After having completed the axiomatization of set theory, he began to confront the axiomatization of quantum mechanics. He realized, in 1926, that a state of a quantum system could be represented by a point in a (complex) Hilbert space that, in general, could be infinite-dimensional even for a single particle. In this formalism of quantum mechanics, observable quantities such as position or momentum are represented as linear operators acting on the Hilbert space associated with the quantum system.

Who established the framework for quantum mechanics?

Von Neumann

What paper did von Neumann produce in 1932?

Mathematical Foundations of Quantum Mechanics

What von Neumann work preceded the axiomatiztion of quatum mechanics?

axiomatization of set theory


The physics of quantum mechanics was thereby reduced to the mathematics of Hilbert spaces and linear operators acting on them. For example, the uncertainty principle, according to which the determination of the position of a particle prevents the determination of its momentum and vice versa, is translated into the non-commutativity of the two corresponding operators. This new mathematical formulation included as special cases the formulations of both Heisenberg and Schrödinger. When Heisenberg was informed von Neumann had clarified the difference between an unbounded operator that was a Self-adjoint operator and one that was merely symmetric, Heisenberg replied "Eh? What is the difference?"

What are the physics of quantum mechanics?

mathematics of Hilbert spaces and linear operators acting on them

What is the uncertainty principle?

determination of the position of a particle prevents the determination of its momentum and vice versa

The physics of quantum mechanics included special cases for what work?

formulations of both Heisenberg and Schrödinger


Von Neumann's abstract treatment permitted him also to confront the foundational issue of determinism versus non-determinism, and in the book he presented a proof that the statistical results of quantum mechanics could not possibly be averages of an underlying set of determined "hidden variables," as in classical statistical mechanics. In 1966, John S. Bell published a paper arguing that the proof contained a conceptual error and was therefore invalid. However, in 2010, Jeffrey Bub argued that Bell had misconstrued von Neumann's proof, and pointed out that the proof, though not valid for all hidden variable theories, does rule out a well-defined and important subset. Bub also suggests that von Neumann was aware of this limitation, and that von Neumann did not claim that his proof completely ruled out hidden variable theories.

Von Neumann's abstract treatment allowed him to work on what foundational issue?

determinism versus non-determinism

What was John Bell's argument?

proof contained a conceptual error and was therefore invalid

What did Jeffrey Bub argue in 2010?

Bell had misconstrued von Neumann's proof

Did von Neumann rule hidden variable theories?

von Neumann did not claim that his proof completely ruled out hidden variable theories


In a chapter of The Mathematical Foundations of Quantum Mechanics, von Neumann deeply analyzed the so-called measurement problem. He concluded that the entire physical universe could be made subject to the universal wave function. Since something "outside the calculation" was needed to collapse the wave function, von Neumann concluded that the collapse was caused by the consciousness of the experimenter (although this view was accepted by Eugene Wigner, the Von Neumann–Wigner interpretation never gained acceptance amongst the majority of physicists).

What results came from von Neumann's deep analysis of the measurement problem?

physical universe could be made subject to the universal wave function

What "outside of calculation" variable could initiate collapse in von Neumann's conclusion?

consciousness of the experimenter

Were von Neumann's conclusions of collapse of entire universe cause accepted widely?

Von Neumann–Wigner interpretation never gained acceptance amongst the majority of physicists


In a famous paper of 1936 with Garrett Birkhoff, the first work ever to introduce quantum logics, von Neumann and Birkhoff first proved that quantum mechanics requires a propositional calculus substantially different from all classical logics and rigorously isolated a new algebraic structure for quantum logics. The concept of creating a propositional calculus for quantum logic was first outlined in a short section in von Neumann's 1932 work, but in 1936, the need for the new propositional calculus was demonstrated through several proofs. For example, photons cannot pass through two successive filters that are polarized perpendicularly (e.g., one horizontally and the other vertically), and therefore, a fortiori, it cannot pass if a third filter polarized diagonally is added to the other two, either before or after them in the succession, but if the third filter is added in between the other two, the photons will, indeed, pass through. This experimental fact is translatable into logic as the non-commutativity of conjunction . It was also demonstrated that the laws of distribution of classical logic,  and , are not valid for quantum theory.

With whom did von Neuman work on a paper in 1936 that introduce quantum logic?

Garrett Birkhoff

What concept was created for quatum logic?

propositional calculus

What is the difference of logic in quantum theory?

laws of distribution of classical logic,  and , are not valid for quantum theory


Von Neumann founded the field of game theory as a mathematical discipline. Von Neumann proved his minimax theorem in 1928. This theorem establishes that in zero-sum games with perfect information (i.e. in which players know at each time all moves that have taken place so far), there exists a pair of strategies for both players that allows each to minimize his maximum losses, hence the name minimax. When examining every possible strategy, a player must consider all the possible responses of his adversary. The player then plays out the strategy that will result in the minimization of his maximum loss.

What year was game theory established?

What discipline is game theory derived from?

mathematical discipline.

what are the possible strategies in minimax theory?

a pair of strategies for both players that allows each to minimize his maximum losses

What must a player consider when determining every possible strategy?

all the possible responses of his adversary.


The reason for this is that a quantum disjunction, unlike the case for classical disjunction, can be true even when both of the disjuncts are false and this is, in turn, attributable to the fact that it is frequently the case, in quantum mechanics, that a pair of alternatives are semantically determinate, while each of its members are necessarily indeterminate. This latter property can be illustrated by a simple example. Suppose we are dealing with particles (such as electrons) of semi-integral spin (angular momentum) for which there are only two possible values: positive or negative. Then, a principle of indetermination establishes that the spin, relative to two different directions (e.g., x and y) results in a pair of incompatible quantities. Suppose that the state ɸ of a certain electron verifies the proposition "the spin of the electron in the x direction is positive." By the principle of indeterminacy, the value of the spin in the direction y will be completely indeterminate for ɸ. Hence, ɸ can verify neither the proposition "the spin in the direction of y is positive" nor the proposition "the spin in the direction of y is negative." Nevertheless, the disjunction of the propositions "the spin in the direction of y is positive or the spin in the direction of y is negative" must be true for ɸ. In the case of distribution, it is therefore possible to have a situation in which , while .

What is the difference of quantum disjunction from classic?

can be true even when both of the disjuncts are false

What is frequently the case in quantum mechanics when a pair of alternatives are semantically determinate?

each of its members are necessarily indeterminate

How can quantum disjuction be illustrated?

illustrated by a simple example


Such strategies, which minimize the maximum loss for each player, are called optimal. Von Neumann showed that their minimaxes are equal (in absolute value) and contrary (in sign). Von Neumann improved and extended the minimax theorem to include games involving imperfect information and games with more than two players, publishing this result in his 1944 Theory of Games and Economic Behavior (written with Oskar Morgenstern). Morgenstern wrote a paper on game theory and thought he would show it to von Neumann because of his interest in the subject. He read it and said to Morgenstern that he should put more in it. This was repeated a couple of times, and then von Neumann became a coauthor and the paper became 100 pages long. Then it became a book. The public interest in this work was such that The New York Times ran a front-page story. In this book, von Neumann declared that economic theory needed to use functional analytic methods, especially convex sets and topological fixed-point theorem, rather than the traditional differential calculus, because the maximum-operator did not preserve differentiable functions.

What is optimal strategy?

minimize the maximum loss for each player

What von Neumann work was published in 1944?

Theory of Games and Economic Behavior

Who was co-author with von Neman on the Theory of Games and Economic Behavior?

Oskar Morgenstern


Von Neumann raised the intellectual and mathematical level of economics in several stunning publications. For his model of an expanding economy, von Neumann proved the existence and uniqueness of an equilibrium using his generalization of the Brouwer fixed-point theorem. Von Neumann's model of an expanding economy considered the matrix pencil  A − λB with nonnegative matrices A and B; von Neumann sought probability vectors p and q and a positive number λ that would solve the complementarity equation

How did von Neumann raise the level of economics?

several stunning publications

What did von Neumann prove with his model of expanding economy?

uniqueness of an equilibrium using his generalization of the Brouwer fixed-point theorem

What did von Neumann consider for his model of expanding economy?

matrix pencil  A − λB with nonnegative matrices A and B


along with two inequality systems expressing economic efficiency. In this model, the (transposed) probability vector p represents the prices of the goods while the probability vector q represents the "intensity" at which the production process would run. The unique solution λ represents the growth factor which is 1 plus the rate of growth of the economy; the rate of growth equals the interest rate. Proving the existence of a positive growth rate and proving that the growth rate equals the interest rate were remarkable achievements, even for von Neumann.

In von Neumann's model what does p represent?

p represents the prices of the goods

In von Neumann's model what does q represent?

q represents the "intensity" at which the production process would run

What is the rate of qrowth equal to?

rate of growth equals the interest rate

Was the economic model successful?

proving that the growth rate equals the interest rate were remarkable achievements, even for von Neumann


Von Neumann's results have been viewed as a special case of linear programming, where von Neumann's model uses only nonnegative matrices. The study of von Neumann's model of an expanding economy continues to interest mathematical economists with interests in computational economics. This paper has been called the greatest paper in mathematical economics by several authors, who recognized its introduction of fixed-point theorems, linear inequalities, complementary slackness, and saddlepoint duality. In the proceedings of a conference on von Neumann's growth model, Paul Samuelson said that many mathematicians had developed methods useful to economists, but that von Neumann was unique in having made significant contributions to economic theory itself.

What were von Neumann's model an example of?

viewed as a special case of linear programming

What was the significance of von Neumann's model of expanding economy?

unique in having made significant contributions to economic theory itself.

What ideas were utilized in von Neumann's ecocomic model?

fixed-point theorems, linear inequalities, complementary slackness, and saddlepoint duality


Von Neumann's famous 9-page paper started life as a talk at Princeton and then became a paper in Germany, which was eventually translated into English. His interest in economics that led to that paper began as follows: When lecturing at Berlin in 1928 and 1929 he spent his summers back home in Budapest, and so did the economist Nicholas Kaldor, and they hit it off. Kaldor recommended that von Neumann read a book by the mathematical economist Léon Walras. Von Neumann found some faults in that book and corrected them, for example, replacing equations by inequalities. He noticed that Walras's General Equilibrium Theory and Walras' Law, which led to systems of simultaneous linear equations, could produce the absurd result that the profit could be maximized by producing and selling a negative quantity of a product. He replaced the equations by inequalities, introduced dynamic equilibria, among other things, and eventually produced the paper.

When did von Neumann's interest in economics begin?

When lecturing at Berlin in 1928 and 1929

What economist did von Neumann get to know that spurred the interest in economics?

Nicholas Kaldor

In who's book did von Neuman find errors in the author's equations?

Léon Walras


Later, von Neumann suggested a new method of linear programming, using the homogeneous linear system of Gordan (1873), which was later popularized by Karmarkar's algorithm. Von Neumann's method used a pivoting algorithm between simplices, with the pivoting decision determined by a nonnegative least squares subproblem with a convexity constraint (projecting the zero-vector onto the convex hull of the active simplex). Von Neumann's algorithm was the first interior point method of linear programming.

What was the new method of linear programming that von Neumann suggested?

homogeneous linear system of Gordan

What did von Neuman's method use?

pivoting algorithm between simplices

What was von Neumann's method known to be the first of?

algorithm was the first interior point method of linear programming.


Von Neumann made fundamental contributions to mathematical statistics. In 1941, he derived the exact distribution of the ratio of the mean square of successive differences to the sample variance for independent and identically normally distributed variables. This ratio was applied to the residuals from regression models and is commonly known as the Durbin–Watson statistic for testing the null hypothesis that the errors are serially independent against the alternative that they follow a stationary first order autoregression.

When did von NEumann establish mean square ratio?

How has mean square ratio been applied?

Durbin–Watson statistic

what does null hypothesis test against?

alternative that they follow a stationary first order autoregression


Von Neumann made fundamental contributions in exploration of problems in numerical hydrodynamics. For example, with Robert D. Richtmyer he developed an algorithm defining artificial viscosity that improved the understanding of shock waves. A problem was that when computers solved hydrodynamic or aerodynamic problems, they tried to put too many computational grid points at regions of sharp discontinuity (shock waves). The mathematics of artificial viscosity smoothed the shock transition without sacrificing basic physics. Other well known contributions to fluid dynamics included the classic flow solution to blast waves, and the co-discovery of the ZND detonation model of explosives.

The algorithm defining artificial viscosity is a fundamental contribution to what area?

numerical hydrodynamics

What did the math of artificial viscosity do?

smoothed the shock transition without sacrificing basic physics

What was the problem of computers solving fluid dynamics?

they tried to put too many computational grid points at regions of sharp discontinuity (shock waves)


Von Neumann's principal contribution to the atomic bomb was in the concept and design of the explosive lenses needed to compress the plutonium core of the Fat Man weapon that was later dropped on Nagasaki. While von Neumann did not originate the "implosion" concept, he was one of its most persistent proponents, encouraging its continued development against the instincts of many of his colleagues, who felt such a design to be unworkable. He also eventually came up with the idea of using more powerful shaped charges and less fissionable material to greatly increase the speed of "assembly".

What principal contribution did von Neumann make to atomic bomb?

concept and design of the explosive lenses needed to compress the plutonium core

Did von Nemann think that the atomic bomb design was not workable?

he was one of its most persistent proponents, encouraging its continued development

What additional ideas did von Neumann contribute to Atomic bomb?

more powerful shaped charges and less fissionable material to greatly increase the speed of "assembly"


When it turned out that there would not be enough uranium-235 to make more than one bomb, the implosive lens project was greatly expanded and von Neumann's idea was implemented. Implosion was the only method that could be used with the plutonium-239 that was available from the Hanford Site. He established the design of the explosive lenses required, but there remained concerns about "edge effects" and imperfections in the explosives. His calculations showed that implosion would work if it did not depart by more than 5% from spherical symmetry. After a series of failed attempts with models, this was achieved by George Kistiakowsky, and the construction of the Trinity bomb was completed in July 1945.

what change was made when shortage of uranium 235 was apparent?

implosive lens project was greatly expanded

What was the tolerance limit for implosion "edge effect"?

not depart by more than 5% from spherical symmetry

Who constructed Trinity bomb?

George Kistiakowsky

In what year was Trinity bomb completed?


Along with four other scientists and various military personnel, von Neumann was included in the target selection committee responsible for choosing the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as the first targets of the atomic bomb. Von Neumann oversaw computations related to the expected size of the bomb blasts, estimated death tolls, and the distance above the ground at which the bombs should be detonated for optimum shock wave propagation and thus maximum effect. The cultural capital Kyoto, which had been spared the bombing inflicted upon militarily significant cities, was von Neumann's first choice, a selection seconded by Manhattan Project leader General Leslie Groves. However, this target was dismissed by Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson.

What other people worked with von Neumann on target selection?

four other scientists and various military personnel

What role did von Neuman play in the selection of targets?

oversaw computations

What was von Neumann's first choice for target city?

Kyoto

Who dismissed von Neuamann's primary target city?

Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson.