Modelli Dinamici Discreti = Discrete Dynamic Models

Discrete mathematical modeling is one of the driving factors in modern mathematics research, and has played a role of synthesis between different disciplines, becoming a tool for qualitative and quantitative analysis in applied sciences. This volume provides an introduction to the analysis of discrete dynamic systems, following a modeling approach. An examination of a wide range of examples, models, and motivations drawn from Biology, Demography, Engineering and Economics, is followed by the presentation of the tools for the study of linear and non-linear scalar dynamical systems, with particular attention to stability analysis. The linear difference equations are studied in detail and an elementary introduction to the Z and DFT transforms is provided. One chapter is devoted to the study of bifurcations and chaotic dynamics. One-step vector dynamical systems and the applications of Markov chains are the subject of three chapters.