A graphical method for a class of Branin trajectories (Q1061457)

The construction of trajectories studied by \textit{F. H. Branin} jun. [IBM J. Res. Dev. 16, 504-522 (1972; Zbl 0271.65034)] for locating the stationary points of a scalar function of many variables involves, in the general case, the numerical solution of a set of simultaneous ordinary differential equations, or some equivalent numerical procedure. For a function of only two variables which is separable in either the multiplicative or additive sense, it is shown that Branin trajectories may be obtained by a graphical method due to Volterra.