Computer algebra derives correct initial conditions for low-dimensional dynamical models Original Research Article

To ease analysis and simulation we make low-dimensional models of complicated dynamical systems. Centre manifold theory provides a systematic basis for the reduction of dimensionality from some detailed dynamical prescription down to a relatively simple model. An initial condition for the detailed dynamics also has to be projected onto the low-dimensional model, but except in meteorology this issue has received scant attention. Herein, based upon the algorithm in (Roberts, 1997), I develop a straightforward algorithm for the computer algebra derivation of this projection. The method is systematic and is based upon the geometric picture underlying centre manifold theory. The method is applied to examples of a pitchfork and a Hopf bifurcation. There is a close relationship between this projection of initial conditions and the correct projection of forcing onto a model. I reaffirm this connection and show how the effects of forcing, both interior and from the boundary, should be properly included in a dynamical model.