In post 18.24 we saw that we could represent the displacement, x, of a mechanical system subjected to a time-dependent force, F by equation 1a. We also saw that the charge, Q, in an electrical circuit with a time-dependent potential difference across it could be represented by equation 1b. In both cases the variable, t,… Continue reading 24.5 Linear second-order systems

In post 24.3 we explored a model of how a population could control itself. This model was based on a differential equation – the most common way to describe how things change with time. This approach was used to describe exponential growth (post 18.15), waves (post 19.12), diffusion (posts 19.15 and 19.16), the behaviour of… Continue reading 24.4 Logistic difference equation: self-controlled growth and chaos