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Why is the period here different from the period of sine and cosine?

In trigonometry, periodicity describes repetition in the function's graph over its input variable. In this setting, period describes the recurrence of a specific point under repeated iteration of a function.

Conditions

  • Comparing dynamical systems period with trigonometric period.

Reasoning, step by step

  1. Recall that trigonometric functions like sin⁡(x)\sin(x) and cos⁡(x)\cos(x) have graphs that repeat along the input axis.
  2. Understand that in this lecture, period mm means a point pp returns to itself after mm applications of ff.
  3. Conclude that the word 'period' is being used differently: here it refers to point recurrence under iteration, not graph repetition.

Example

To prevent confusion, the speaker contrasts this with the period of functions like sin⁡(x)\sin(x) and cos⁡(x)\cos(x). In trigonometry, periodicity describes repetition in the function's graph; in this setting, it describes recurrence of a point under iteration.

Common misconceptions

  • Assuming that a point having period mm means the function's output pattern repeats every mm units on the x-axis.
  • Thinking that the concepts of period in calculus and dynamical systems are identical.

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