Numerical Integration of a Differentialdifference Equation with a Decreasing Timelag

摘要

Systems in which variable time-lags are present are of common occurrence in biology. Variable flow rates are a common cause of these variable lags. At present no extensive body of knowledge exists concerning the effects which these variable lags can cause. In this first memorandum it is shown how to reduce some differentialdifference equations to ordinary differential equations which can then be studied numerically with ease. Subsequent memoranda will deal with situations in which multiple-lags and lags dependent on the solution itself are present. New types of phenomena which are important for the qualitative understanding of such systems are to be discussed later. (Author)