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Will the Real Bifurcation Diagram Please Stand Up

by Chip Ross and Jody Sorensen

Award: George Pólya Award

Year of Award: 2001

Publication Information: The College Mathematics Journal, Vol. 31 (2000), pp. 2-14.

Summary: The authors discuss what they call "the real bifurcation diagram" in contrast to the usual diagram of that name which they call "the orbit diagram."

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About the Authors: (from The College Mathematics Journal, Vol. 31 (2000)) Chip Ross is associate professor of mathematics at Bates College. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Rochester in 1985, and became interested in chaotic dynamical systems shortly after arriving at Bates. He is interested in finding novel uses of computer graphics to illustrate known mathematics and to suggest new hypotheses. He enjoys introducing material on chaos and fractals to K-12 teachers. He also finds some time to play the pipe organ, enjoy his family, and lose far too many tennis games to other Bates faculty.

Jody Sorensen is Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan. While majoring in mathematics at St. Olaf College, she participated in the Budapest Semesters in Mathematics. She went on to receive her Ph.D. from Norhwestern University, studying dynamical systems with Clark Robinson. She is interested in learning more about the history of mathematics and in pursuing undergraduate research projects. Hobbies include biking, rollerblading, cooking and travel. (Added in 2008) Jody Sorensen is currently Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Augsburg College.

 

Subject classification(s): Calculus | Single Variable Calculus | Discrete Mathematics | Chaos
Publication Date: 
Tuesday, April 8, 2008