3 THE QUADRATIC FAMILY AND BIFURCATIONS.





3 The Quadratic Family and Bifurcations.
In this section we will study in more detail the family of real quadratic functions of the form
Q (x) = x2 + c, and investigate how the behavior of the orbits of Q (x) depend on the
real parameter c.
1 1 4
Q (x) has exactly 2 fixed points, namely at x = 2
, and these fixed points are
real if and only if c ≤ 1/4.

• When c > 1/4, Q (x) has no real fixed points. From graphical analysis, we can see


that all orbits are unbounded and are attracted to infinity.



 
• When c = 1/4, Q (x) has exactly one (repeated) real fixed point at x = 1/2. This is
a neutral fixed point. From graphical analysis, we see that orbits with initial condition
less than 1/2 are attracted to this fixed point, but orbits with initial condition greater
than 1/2 are repelled away from the fixed point.
1+ 1 4
• When c < 1/4, Q (x) has exactly two real fixed point at r1 = 2
, and
r2 = 1 21 4 . The fixed point at r1 is always repelling, while

– The fixed point at r2 is attracting if −3/4 < c < 1/4,

– The fixed point at r2 is neutral if c = −3/4, and
– The fixed point at r2 is repelling if c < −3/4.

The phenomenon of having no fixed points, then one fixed point, then two fixed points as
the parameter c changes is called a fixed point bif urcation, or a saddle-node bifurcation.
We can say that Q (x) = x2 + c experiences a fixed point bifurcation at c = 1/4.

Let’s explore the third case above, c < 1/4, in more detail, using graphical analyis or
computer experiments.

• Q(−r1 ) = r1 , so the orbit of r1 is eventually fixed.

• Orbits that begin outside of the interval [−r1 , r1 ] will be attracted to infinity.

• Orbits that begin inside the interval [−r1 , r1 ] will remain in that interval.

• For −3/4 < c < −1/4, the fixed point at r2 attracts all orbits that begin inside the
interval (−r1 , r1 ).
 



 



3 THE QUADRATIC FAMILY AND BIFURCATIONS. 10

Using graphical analysis we observe that as c moves beyond −3/4, an attracting period
2 cycle appears. Solving Q2 (x) = x analytically, and using the fact that r1 and r2 are
also period 2 points, we find the two other period 2 points are q1 = 1+ 2 4 3 and
q2 = 1 2 4 3 . Furthermore, this period 2 cycle is real if and only if c ≤ −3/4.

Thus we have another bifurcation at c = −3/4, called a period doubling bifurcation.

As c decreases through −3/4, the fixed point at r2 starts as an attracting fixed point, be-
comes neutral, then becomes a repelling fixed point, essentially giving birth to an attracting
2 cycle.

Exercise. Show that the points q1 , q2 lie on an attracting 2-cycle for −5/4 < c <
−3/4, and on a repelling 2-cycle for c < −5/4.