Equivalence of \(n\)-point Gauss-Chebyshev rule and \(4n\)-point midpoint rule in computing the period of a Lotka-Volterra system (Q2464710): Difference between revisions

First Lotka-Volterra systems are recalled describing predator-prey population dynamics. The solution of \(u'(t)=u(t)[a-bv(t)]\) and \(v'(t)=v(t)[cu(t)-d]\) can be described by \(cu-d-d\log(cu/d)+bv-a-a\log(bv/a)=E\). Solving the latter for \(v\) as a function of \(u\) gives a closed trajectory. This involves the two inverse branches for the function \(x\exp(x)\), which are Lambert's functions \(W(0,y)\) and \(W(-1,y)\) with branch point \(-1/e\). The asymptotics of these functions near the branch point show up in an integral expression for the periodic solutions corresponding to the closed trajectory. This integral has square root singularities at both end points. It is shown that in this application, the \(n\)-point Gauss-Chebyshev quadrature formula for the integral is in fact the \(4n\)-point midpoint rule.