Document Type

Article

Source Publication Title

American Mathematical Monthly

First Page

426

Last Page

435

Abstract

We consider an elementary mathematical puzzle known as a "difference box" in terms of a discrete map from R⁴ to R⁴ or , canonically, from a subset of the first R² into itself. We identify the map's unique canonical fixed point and answer more generally the question of how many interactions a given "difference box" takes to reach zero. (The number is finite except for boxes corresponding to the fixed point.)

Disciplines

Mathematics | Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Publication Date

1-1-2005

Language

English

Included in

Mathematics Commons

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