Three problems concerning laminar-turbulent transition are addressed by solving a series of initial value problems. The first problem is the calculation of resonance within the continuous spectrum of the Blasius boundary layer. The second is calculation of the growth of Tollmien-Schlichting waves that are a direct result of disturbances that only lie outside of the boundary layer. And, the third problem is the calculation of non-parallel effects. Together, these problems represent a unified approach to the study of freestream disturbance effects that could lead to transition. Solutions to the temporal, initial-value problem with an inhomogeneous forcing term imposed upon the flow is sought. By solving a series of problems, it is shown that: A transient disturbance lying completely outside of the boundary layer can lead to the growth of an unstable Tollmien-Schlichting wave. A resonance with the continuous spectrum leads to strong amplification that may provide a mechanism for bypass transition once nonlinear effects are considered. A disturbance with a very weak unstable Tollmien-Schlichting wave can lead to a much stronger Tollmien-Schlichting wave downstream, if the original disturbance has a significant portion of its energy in the continuum modes.Lasseigne, D. G. and Criminale, W. O. and Joslin, R. D. and Jackson, T. L.Langley Research CenterBOUNDARY LAYER TRANSITION; LAMINAR BOUNDARY LAYER; TURBULENT BOUNDARY LAYER; BLASIUS FLOW; TURBULENT FLOW; TOLLMIEN-SCHLICHTING WAVES; BOUNDARY VALUE PROBLEMS; CONTINUOUS SPECTRA; FREE FLOW; COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS; DIRECT NUMERICAL SIMULATION; THREE DIMENSIONAL MODELS; EQUATIONS OF MOTION; LINEAR SYSTEMS...