Cross sections for resonance production in the reactions π ± p → p π ± π + π − at 16 GeV/ c are determined by a maximum likelihood fit, making use of the measurements of all individual events. The reactions are described by a simple parametrization based on an incoherent superposition of amplitudes for quasi two-body and quasi three-body processes and a non-resonant backgroud. In this way the reflections are accounted for in a consistent way. Thus cross sections are obtained for Δ ++ , Δ 0 , ρ 0 and f 0 production which do not suffer from the uncertainties of background subtraction typical of the usual technique of fitting individual mass distributions.
TWO PARTICLE RESONANCE CROSS SECTIONS.
CHANNEL FRACTIONS FROM THE FITS. THE AUTHORS WARN AGAINST DERIVING CROSS SECTIONS FOR THREE-PARTICLE RESONANCES.
The major production channels of four-prong final states resulting from π+p interactions at a center-of-mass energy of 4.5 GeV are studied. In addition to total production cross sections, comprehensive listings of partial and resonance production cross sections are also given for each final state of interest. All final states, including nπ+π+π+π−, are found to exhibit copious resonance production.
PARTIAL CROSS SECTIONS FROM PI+ P --> PI+ P PI+ PI-.
PARTIAL CROSS SECTIONS FROM PI+ P --> PI+ P PI+ PI- PI0.