Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2009 ii Paper 1 6A Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-14
In the squared-denominator population map, is the low-density per-generation multiplication factor, while controls crowding: is the characteristic population scale. The nonzero fixed point for and its multiplier areSince this multiplier lies strictly between minus one and one, is locally asymptotically stable. This holds for every finite , even when the map is locally decreasing at its fixed point.
For the post-initial invariant interval for a squared-denominator population map, put and . The derivative shows that the global maximum is at . The first two iterates of the supplied initial condition are consequentlyFor , . Hence the map decreases throughout , with minimum there, and its global maximum bound ensures . Thus , and induction provesBoth endpoints are attained at . The lower bound printed without a time qualification is false at , because the given value is strictly below when . The invariant bounds apply after that initial step, not to it.
The cobweb plot below uses and . The first vertical move reaches the maximum, the next reaches its image, and subsequent vertical/horizontal steps remain in the invariant interval and approach the stable fixed point.
Cobweb of the squared-denominator population map, showing the invariant interval from the second iterate
. Details. Starting at with , the next two iterates are the maximum and its image . Since and the squared-denominator population map decreases on , its image there lies in . Thus the displayed interval is invariant after the initial step, and both bounds are attained. The initial value itself is below , so it must not be included in the lower-bound assertion.
