Exploring chaos

the long version

"This book presents elements of the theory of chaos in dynamical systems in a framework of theoretical understanding coupled with numerical and graphical experimentation. The theory is developed using only elementary calculus and algebra, and includes dynamics of one- and two-dimensional maps, periodic orbits, stability and its quantification, chaotic behavior, and bifurcation theory of one-dimensional systems. Here is an introduction to the theory of fractals, with an emphasis on the importance of scaling and a concluding chapter on ordinary differential equations. The software written in Java, enables students to carry out their own quantitative experiments on a variety of non-linear systems, including the analysis of fixed points and compositions of maps, visualizing orbits, final state and bifurcation diagrams, basins of attraction and box-counting for two-dimensional systems."--BOOK JACKET.