Description: The presentation of the simplex algorithm in 'A Study Manual For Operations Research' [edited by Eugene A. Narragon] is difficult to follow. The purpose of this note is to show that a better understanding can be obtained by means of a geometric interpretation and the exchange method.

Description: In problem 24, Chapter 5, of Kellison's 'Fundamentals of Numerical Analysis' it is indicated how a divided difference can be expressed as a ratio of two determinants. This study note shows that this method works well also in the case where some of the arguments of collocation coincide. The rule is: If an argument occurs k times, the derivatives of the corresponding row up to order k-1 should be used in numerator and denominator.