Logistic Map
May 29, 2019
[ I apologize for posting this exercise on Wednesday morning instead of Tuesday morning. I got mixed up because of the three-day holiday weekend. ]
I recently came across the logistic map which is an example of how complex, chaotic behavior can arise from simple non-linear equations. The logistic map is written
xn+1 = rxn (1 − xn
where 0 < xn < 1 represents the ratio of the existing population to the maximum possible and 0 < r < 4 represents the stability in the model of population density. I can't do the logistic map justice here; look at the Wikipedia page and follow the references it gives for a fascinating introduction to chaos theory.
Your task is to write a program that computes sequences of the logistic map, and experiment with it. When you are finished, you are welcome to read or run a suggested solution, or to post your own solution or discuss the exercise in the comments below.
Programming Praxis 