Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2007 iii Paper 85 2 a Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-14
The associated even map is simply . For nonzero , the odd quadratic Lorenz map has the two branches on the positive side and on the negative side. Their limiting values at zero are and , while the prescribed point value is . Thus the branches join continuously only at , where the origin is a fixed point and .
The small fixed point of isFor small negative , and the odd quadratic Lorenz map has two stable fixed points . Their periodic-orbit multiplier is . As these fixed points collide at zero. For small positive , andso a stable symmetric two-cycle is present, with periodic-orbit multiplier . Hence the global transition isThe large fixed points remain unstable near this transition and are not created or destroyed there. The parabola itself is smooth as passes zero; its fixed point crosses the critical point and changes the sign of its periodic-orbit multiplier. The change of orbit type occurs in the sign-lifted discrete dynamical system, whose discontinuity switches orientation.
For a noncritical least-period- cycle of , the multiplier sign is . A positive multiplier gives two symmetry-related period- cycles of the odd quadratic Lorenz map; a negative multiplier gives one period- cycle. Their multipliers are respectively and . Distinct points of a quadratic-map cycle cannot have the same absolute value, since the map is even and acts bijectively on its cycle; this proves the asserted least periods.
// Target: dynamical-systems.bigb
