Week 4: September 21 - 25

Mayfly Model

We continue our exploration of the "Mayfly model", paying particular attention to the long-term behavior of the system.

Machine Arithmetic

Although mathematics deals with real numbers of infinite precision, these numbers must be represented in a computer using a finite number of digits. We examine ways in which this can be done effectively, and some of the problems and issues that arise in doing so.

IPython Notebook

• IPython "magics": %timeit and %%timeit

Python

• List comprehensions
• len
• More plotting options

NumPy

NumPy is the standard package for numerical computing in Python. It uses a new container for numerical data - the ndarray - that supports fast and efficient computation. NumPy also defines routines for accessing and manipulating these arrays.

• Array creation
• Array operations
• Vectorization
• Multi-dimensional arrays
• Array indexing and slicing

Quiz 3

• xrange
• break
• continue
• pow
• Labeling plots

Assignment 3: Mayfly Model Exploration

Activity:

• Explore the behavior of the system for different "b" values, including both the transient and the asymptotic behavior.
• Generate a picture of the asymptotic behavior for a large number of "b" values.
• What is the repertoire of asymptotic dynamics? Is this what you would expect?

Tools:

• Use plot to examine the transient behaviour of the model.
• Use the "alpha" value option to plot to display the asymptotic behavior with semi-transparent points.
• Use vectorization with NumPy arrays to explore different "b" values without using Python loops.