``Lagrange Multipliers and the Design of Multistage Rockets,'' by Anthony L. Peressini, UMAP 517. The method of Lagrange multipliers is applied to compute the minimum total mass of an n-stage rocket capable of placing a given payload in an orbit at a given altitude above the earth's surface. Familiarity with elementary minimization techniques for functions of several variables, the method of Lagrange multipliers, and the concepts of linear momentum and conservation of momentum is required.