Cobweb plot

A cobweb plot, known also as Lémeray Diagram or Verhulst diagram is a visual tool used in dynamical systems, a field of mathematics to investigate the qualitative behaviour of one-dimensional iterated functions, such as the logistic map. The technique was introduced in the 1890s by E.-M. Lémeray.^[1] Using a cobweb plot, it is possible to infer the long-term status of an initial condition under repeated application of a map.^[2]

Construction of a cobweb plot of the logistic map ${\displaystyle y=2.8x(1-x)}$, showing an attracting fixed point.

An animated cobweb diagram of the logistic map ${\displaystyle y=rx(1-x)}$, showing chaotic behaviour for most values of ${\displaystyle r>3.57}$.

Method

For a given iterated function ${\displaystyle f:\mathbb {R} \rightarrow \mathbb {R} }$, the plot consists of a diagonal (${\displaystyle x=y}$) line and a curve representing ${\displaystyle y=f(x)}$. To plot the behaviour of a value ${\displaystyle x_{0}}$, apply the following steps.

1. Find the point on the function curve with an x-coordinate of ${\displaystyle x_{0}}$. This has the coordinates (${\displaystyle x_{0},f(x_{0})}$).
2. Plot horizontally across from this point to the diagonal line. This has the coordinates (${\displaystyle f(x_{0}),f(x_{0})}$).
3. Plot vertically from the point on the diagonal to the function curve. This has the coordinates (${\displaystyle f(x_{0}),f(f(x_{0}))}$).
4. Repeat from step 2 as required.

Interpretation

On the Lémeray diagram, a stable fixed point corresponds to the segment of the staircase with progressively decreasing stair lengths or to an inward spiral, while an unstable fixed point is the segment of the staircase with growing stairs or an outward spiral. It follows from the definition of a fixed point that the staircases converge whereas spirals center at a point where the diagonal ${\displaystyle y=x}$ line crosses the function graph. A period-2 orbit is represented by a rectangle, while greater period cycles produce further, more complex closed loops. A chaotic orbit would show a "filled-out" area, indicating an infinite number of non-repeating values.^[2]

See also

• Jones diagram – similar plotting technique
• Fixed-point iteration – iterative algorithm to find fixed points (produces a cobweb plot)