Complexity & Chaos Theory

nonlinear dynamics, popularly called chaos theory, interdisciplinary science that attempts to reveal structure in seemingly unpredictable dynamic systems.
...a nonlinear system exhibits a sensitive dependence on initial conditions: small or virtually unmeasurable differences in initial conditions can lead to wildly differing results. (This is sometimes called the "butterfly effect," in reference to a 1979 address by meteorologist E.M. Lorenz entitled "Predictability: Does the Flap of a Butterfly's Wings in Brazil Set Off a Tornado in Texas?") ...Nonlinear dynamics has been applied to the study of diverse phenomena, such as dripping faucets, population growth, the beating heart, and the economy, to better understand the complex relationships among the various elements involved.