Engineering Math: ENM 601 Nonlinear Dynamics

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CONTINUOUS VS DISCRETE SYSTEM

CONTINUOUS VS DISCRETE SYSTEM

DISCRETE VS CONTINUOUS Dynamic: ssytem that changes in time. If time t is in discrete times hence x(t ) is
essentially also discrete, then we say its a discrete system, else the system is continuous. Eg: principal and interest in
economics.
DOF minimum number of coordinates to define the system completely.
We will consider
1. continuous system of one DOF.
2. continuous two DOF.
3. continuous three DOF, where chaotic behavior emerges.
4. discrete 1 DOF, chaos is possible
5. fractals. Cantor set.
Example system:

x = 3x 4x 2 ; xn = 3xn 4xn2

an eqn describing the evolution in time t , continuous and discrete. INITIAL CONDITIONS x(0), x0 are required for
such system. This system is not STOCHASTIC in nature: it is DETERMINISTIC . Knowing the initial conditions, the
evolution of the system x(t ), xn (t ) should be fully determined.
Seperating,
x(t ) =

3x0
4x0 + (3 4x0 )e 3t

Keypoint: what is the domain of validity of the solution? not beyond some thresholds timet s (x0 ), which is 0.187 for
x0 = 1! since x is not differentiable at t = 0.187 (it is at infinity), even though nominally, the fromula approaches 3/4
as t .
Note that the system is unstable at x0 = 0, but this is not chaotic, which requires that the asymptotic behaviour be all
over the place.
NOLINEAR nonlinear system has no superposition, no uniqueness? For 1st order linear continuous system, a closed
form of the evolution can always be obtained using integration factor. The discrete analog is that :
!
n
X
1
xn+1 (t ) =
c+
n Qn
n
i=0
LONG TERM BEHAVIOR can be asymptotic lim t x x or otherwise.
PHASE PLOT x x plot.