Rotation numbers for certain maps of an \(n\)-od (Q5939829)

An \(n\)-od is a tree with one vertex (central point) and \(n\)-branches (intervals), so a 2-od is an interval, a 3-od a letter \(Y\) and a 4-od the letter \(X.\) Consider the set of all continuous maps of an \(n\)-od with fixed central point. A cycle is a periodic orbit. Two cycles \(P\) and \(Q\) are equivalent if there is a homeomorphism conjugating \(P\) and \(Q\) and fixing the branches. The equivalence classes are called patterns. The pattern \(P\) forces \(Q\) if any map which exhibits pattern \(P\) exhibits also pattern \(Q\). The paper describes the structures of orbits in terms of patterns (in a Sharkovskij's Theorem flavour) and in terms of modified rotation pairs. An mrp \((t,m)\) of a circle map of degree 1 is a rational \(t=p/q\) (coprime \(p,q\)) and a positive integer \(m\) such that for its lift \(F^mp(X)=X+mq.\) A notion of forcing and block structure of patterns is defined and analyzed, as well as a hull of two mrp's. Special case of 3-od produces more specific results.