In mathematics, an operator is a function, usually of a special kind depending on the topic. For instance, in linear algebra an "operator" is a linear operator. In analysis an "operator" may be a differential operator, generalizing the ordinary derivative, or an integral operator, generalizing ordinary integration. Often, an "operator" is a function that acts on functions to produce other functions; or it may be a generalization of such a function, as in linear algebra, where some of the terminology reflects the origin of the subject in operations on the functions that are solutions of differential equations. One often thinks of an operator as dynamic, changing something into something else, whence the name; but this is only a way of thinking and not a formal definition.

An operator name or operator symbol is a notation that denotes a particular operator. When there is no danger of confusion, an operator name or operator symbol may be referred to more briefly as an "operator". Strictly speaking, however, the operator is a mathematical object and not the syntactic entity that denotes it. The reason for identifying it with its notation is that there are some operators that have come to have standard notations.

An example of an operator, specifically a differential operator, is the derivative itself. The corresponding operator name D, when placed before a differentiable function f, indicates that the function is to be differentiated with respect to the variable.

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Forbes.com: Logistics News

Gray Skies Ahead For Alcoa
Ruthie Ackerman Tue, 07 Oct 2008 23:35:00 -0000
The aluminum producer announces grim Q3 results.
Cleveland-Cliffs Nears Buyout
Ruthie Ackerman Sat, 04 Oct 2008 07:00:00 -0000
The iron ore miner voted against its largest shareholder, Harbinger, raising its stake.
Timken Tantalizes Investors
Ruthie Ackerman Wed, 01 Oct 2008 04:03:00 -0000
The maker of bearings and alloys raised its third-quarter guidance, but is maintaining its fourth-quarter outlook.

BBC News | Business | World Edition

G7 nations pledge to fight crisis
Sat, 11 Oct 2008 06:37:54 -0000
Top finance ministers promise to take "decisive action and use all available tools" to tackle the world economic crisis.
GM and Chrysler 'in merger talks'
Sat, 11 Oct 2008 05:41:46 -0000
Struggling US car giants General Motors and Chrysler are in talks about a possible merger, US media say.
Venezuela shuts down McDonald's
Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:04:09 -0000
Venezuela shuts all branches of restaurant chain McDonald's for 48 hours, citing tax irregularities, officials say.

NYT > World Business

Rich Nations Pushing for Coordination in Rescue
Sat, 11 Oct 2008 06:18:35 -0000
The United States and six other nations agreed to a plan to rescue the financial industry, but fell short of offering concrete steps to backstop bank lending.
Economic Uncertainty Spreads
Sat, 11 Oct 2008 05:15:39 -0000
Around the world, fears of recession have fed a stock market panic, as worries about toxic assets spread from the financial sector to the credit markets and now to the broader economy.
As Stock Falls, Morgan Looks to Japanese Bank
Sat, 11 Oct 2008 05:16:49 -0000
Morgan Stanley was racing to secure its financial lifeline from a big Japanese bank as confidence in the embattled Wall Street bank continued to erode.

washingtonpost.com -

GM, Chrysler in merger talks: source
Reuters Sat, 11 Oct 2008 02:48:57 -0400
DETROIT/NEW YORK (Reuters) - General Motors has had talks with smaller rival Chrysler LLC about a merger that would combine the No. 1 and No. 3 American automakers at a time when both are struggling to cut costs and shore up cash, according to a source briefed on the matter.
GM, Chrysler in merger talks: source
Reuters Sat, 11 Oct 2008 02:48:57 -0400
DETROIT/NEW YORK (Reuters) - General Motors has had talks with smaller rival Chrysler LLC about a merger that would combine the No. 1 and No. 3 American automakers at a time when both are struggling to cut costs and shore up cash, according to a source briefed on the matter.
GM, Ford say not considering bankruptcy
Reuters Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:34:32 -0400
DETROIT (Reuters) - General Motors Corp (GM.N) and Ford Motor Co (F.N) both ruled out on Friday seeking bankruptcy protection at a time when slow auto sales and the credit crunch have rattled investors and sent their shares plunging.
AP source: GM could announce production cuts soon
AP Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:59:06 -0400
DETROIT -- General Motors Corp. is likely to announce further production cuts and possible plant closures as early as next week as it deals with slumping sales and a collapse in its stock price, a person with knowledge of the company's plans said Friday.
Tiger Stadium's 2nd life may be in new cars, roads
AP Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:15:50 -0400
DETROIT -- Going to a baseball game in Detroit used to mean heading to Michigan and Trumbull, the intersection that became shorthand for Tiger Stadium. Go there today, and all that remains is a small slice of the arena that once drew throngs of fans to see legends like Ty Cobb and Hank Greenberg play.
GM shares up slightly after Thursday trouncing
AP Fri, 10 Oct 2008 10:57:14 -0400
NEW YORK -- General Motors Corp. shares hit their lowest price since 1949 in the opening minutes of trading Friday as financial turmoil and a weakening global auto market heightened worries that the automaker may be unable to pull out of its nosedive before it runs out of cash.

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