A Predator-Prey Simulation

Let there be two fishes named Kernighans and Ritchies. The only fish know to prey on Ritchies and to be able to digest them is the colour-blind Kernighan. The Kernighan has adapted to a diet of Ritchies, and won't prey on any other species. No other fish or sea animal could prey on the Ritchies.

So with he above information, could a simulation be created to calculate the two population at different time intervals. I have done something but i belive that i could be on the wrong track.

Some other information to follow would be:

The population of Kernighans and Ritchies can be fully determined by the population size of Kernighans and Ritchies. Suppose that in a given month the number of Kernighan is pop_k, and the population of Ritchies is pop_r. The population of Kernighans and Ritchies is measured in multiples of 1000. This means a population size of 1.0 corresponds to 1000 fish. For the number of Kernighans in the next month we have:

• The population pop_k decreases by alpha_k • pop_k. This is the number of Kernighans that would starve if there were no Ritchies to eat.
•The population pop_k increases by beta_k • pop_k • pop_r. This is the number of new Kernighans because they can feed on Ritchies.
•The population pop_k decreases by gamma_k • pop_k2. This decrease in the number of Kernighans is due to competition between Kernighans.

Hence, given a population pop_k, the population in the next month is
•pop_k - alpha_k • pop_k + beta_k • pop_k • pop_r - gamma_k.pop_k2
•If the result of this computation is smaller than 0.001, then there are no Kernighan fish left

For the number of Ritchies in the next month we have

The population pop_r increases by alpha_r • pop_r. This is the number of new Ritchies, if there were no Kernighan to eat them..
• The population pop_r decreases by beta_r • pop_k • pop_r. This is the number of Ritcchies eaten by Kernighans.
• The population pop_r decreases by gamma_r • pop_r2. This decrease in the number of Ritcchies tis due to competition between Ritchies.

Hence, given a population pop_r the population in the next month is

• pop_r + alpha_r.pop_r - beta_r.pop_k.pop_r - gamma_r.pop_r 2
• If the result of this computation is smaller than 0.001, then there are no Ritchie fish left.

Measurements have shown that the constants have the following values:
• alpha_k = 0.4;
• beta_k = 0.4
• gamma_k=0.036
• alpha_r = 0.2;
• beta_r = 0.2
• gamma_r=0.036

What's your C or C++ question? Seems like this belongs in the Algorithms forum.

Actually, this is a math problem. This is't a simulation all the information is static so for a given input there will be a given output.

A simulation would be about having to deal with things like... even if there are enough fish to eat, does a particular predator manage to catch enough of those prey fish to stay alive. Maybe it can't because none of the prey are nearby enough, or maybe it's not fast enough. in other words, some random effect.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by OReubens

Actually, this is a math problem. This is't a simulation all the information is static so for a given input there will be a given output.

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In fact predator-prey simulation is one of the cornerstones of mathematical biology. It gives rise to a system of two differential equations and to study how models like this evolve over time is called a dynamic simulation.

I suggest the OP uses the Lotka-Volterra equations and tries to identify the parameters with the ones of his problem,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotka%E...terra_equation

a program that asks the user for the current population of Kernighans and Ritchies, and to compute the population size for the next month. It should take the following into account.
• Use the above formulas to compute the population size for the next month.
• If the computed population size is smaller than 0.001, the result should be 0.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rockx

a program that asks the user for the current population of Kernighans and Ritchies, and to compute the population size for the next month. It should take the following into account.
• Use the above formulas to compute the population size for the next month.
• If the computed population size is smaller than 0.001, the result should be 0.

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Is that a C++ question?

Regards,

Paul McKenzie

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Paul McKenzie

Is that a C++ question?

Regards,

Paul McKenzie

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Doesn't look like any kind of question.

I think it's a "can someone do my homework" question :p

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nuzzle

In fact predator-prey simulation is one of the cornerstones of mathematical biology. It gives rise to a system of two differential equations and to study how models like this evolve over time is called a dynamic simulation.

I suggest the OP uses the Lotka-Volterra equations and tries to identify the parameters with the ones of his problem,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotka%E...terra_equation

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picking nits... it's not a simulation
if you run the math for a different range of times, It's a mathematical progression.

I doubt this is called a "dynamic simulation" because 1) it's not a simulation and 2) it's not dynamic, the input is entirely static, so the output is as well.

If I'd have to guess, I guess you're fumbling up some of the words here and it should really have been something more akin to:
...and to study how models like this evolve over time is called the dynamics of a (biological) system
dynamics != dynamic
even a static mathimatical progression has evolution dynamics

system != simulation.


I've seen the term "simulation" used incorrectly many times, even by big names, but essentially, if you can do the math in a spreadsheet (like you can here), it's a system, not a simulation.


Simulations are really about systems that are so dynamic that they branch off into 2 or more different possible states every so often, so much so that it is impossible to track EVERY state, so you end up randomly picking one of the states and go with that. You run the sim several times with different branches taken, and then try to infer your solutions/results based out of a small set of possible outcomes.


You could do the above predator/prey with an actual similation having, "playing out the lives of individual predators and prey". But the OP's quesion is really about a static system where you take statistical input about how the populations as a whole behave rather than individuals.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by OReubens

picking nits... it's not a simulation
if you run the math for a different range of times, It's a mathematical progression.

I doubt this is called a "dynamic simulation" because 1) it's not a simulation and 2) it's not dynamic, the input is entirely static, so the output is as well.

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You're wrong.

To model a system (any system, not just biological) using a set of differential (or difference) equations and then follow how it evolves and behaves over time on a computer is called a dynamic simulation. It's an established term.

Quote:

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Simulations are really about systems that are so dynamic that they branch off into 2 or more different possible states every so often, so much so that it is impossible to track EVERY state

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This is also wrong.

Dynamic simply means "varying over time" and the opposite is static. The dynamics may vary. It could be simple, complex and even chaotic but a dynamic system is a dynamic system and there is no such thing as more or less dynamic.

You seem to be confusing simulation with the concept of a statistical ensemble which is a theory to describe the overall behaviour of a system from its micro-states. To deal with it on a computer two simulation approaches are commonly used, dynamic simulation and (Markov Chain) Monte Carlo simulation. They're different but equivalent.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by OReubens

I think it's a "can someone do my homework" question :p

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Well yes it was my homework question and ive done it, as i said earlier and i quote

Quote:

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I have done something but i belive that i could be on the wrong track.

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Here is my code.

Code:

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#include <iostream>
#include <stdlib.h>

using namespace std;       

int main(){
       
        //Variable Declaration
   
    const float Alpha_k = 0.4;
        const float Beta_k  = 0.4;
        const float Gamma_k = 0.036;
       
        const float Alpha_r = 0.2;
        const float Beta_r  = 0.2;
        const float Gamma_r =0.036;
       
        float pop_k = 0;
        float pop_r = 0;
       
        float new_k = 0;
        float new_r = 0;
       
        cout << " ***** Kernighan and Ritchie fish simulator ****\n\n";
       
        cout << "Enter population size of Kernighans:\t\t";
        cin >> pop_k;
       
        cout << "Enter population size of Ritchies:\t\t";
        cin >> pop_r;
       
        //Computes the population size of Kernighans for the next month
        new_k = pop_k - (Alpha_k * pop_k) + (Beta_k * pop_k * pop_r) - (Gamma_k * pop_k * pop_k);

    //Computes the population size of Ritchies for the next month
        new_r = pop_r + (Alpha_r * pop_r) - (Beta_r * pop_k * pop_r) - (Gamma_r * pop_r * pop_r);
       
        cout << endl << endl;
       
    cout << "The population of Kernighan one month later is\t:" << new_k << ".\n";
        cout << "The population of Ritchie one month later is\t:" << new_r << ".\n\n";
       
       
        system("pause");
        return 0;
}

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And

Code:

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#include <iostream>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <iomanip>

using namespace std;

int main(){
       
        //Variable Declaration
       
    const float Alpha_k  = 0.4;
        const float Beta_k  = 0.4;
        const float Gamma_k  = 0.036;
       
        const float Alpha_r  = 0.2;
        const float Beta_r  = 0.2;
        const float Gamma_r  = 0.036;
       
        float pop_k = 0;
        float pop_r = 0;
       
        float current_k = 0;
        float current_r = 0;
       
        int months = 0;
       
        cout << " ***** Kerninghan and Ritchie fish simulator ****\n\n";
       
        cout << "Enter population size of Kerninghans:\t";
        cin >> pop_k;
       
        cout << "Enter population size of Ritchies:\t";
        cin >> pop_r;
       
        cout << "Enter months you want to forecast:\t";
        cin >> months;
                                 
        cout << "\n\n\nMonth\tKerninghans\tRitchies\n";
       
        for( int m=0; m <(months+1); m++){
               
                cout << m << '\t' << pop_k << "      " << '\t' << pop_r << endl;
               
                //Computes the population size of Kernighans for the next month
        current_k = pop_k - (Alpha_k * pop_k) + (Beta_k * pop_k * pop_r) - (Gamma_k * pop_k * pop_k);
           
        //Computes the population size of Ritchies for the next month
            current_r = pop_r + (Alpha_r * pop_r) - (Beta_r * pop_k * pop_r) - (Gamma_r * pop_r * pop_r);
               
                pop_k = current_k;// Update the population size of Kernighans
                pop_r = current_r;// Update the population size of Ritchies               
        }
       
        cout << endl;
       
        system("pause");
        return 0;
}

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This was due in checked in April. I just wish to get to the correct coding so i could know where i went wrong

So what's the problem? What's not working as it should?

I just wish to know if my coding is correct or have i made errors in my coding

Assuming the calculations are correct (Does the program produce the output expected?) the only small comments re the code is that

Code:

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for( int m=0; m <(months+1); m++){

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could be written as

Code:

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for( int m=0; m <= months; m++){

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Also, if the input is <= 0 or input is >= 1 then you get strange results. You might want to restrict input to just > 0 and < 1 (or fix the formula so that it works for all positive numbers!).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by OReubens

I've seen the term "simulation" used incorrectly many times, even by big names, but essentially, if you can do the math in a spreadsheet (like you can here), it's a system, not a simulation.

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I must comment on this because it looks like the worst besserwisser approach I've seen in a long time.

So you've come up with your own oddball definition of what constitutes a simulation. And since you're the centre of the world yours is now the correct definition of simulation. And from this follows that everybody else must be wrong! All off a sudden everybody who are sticking to the standard or orthodox or established or timetested definition of simulation, are wrong!

Before we continue this discussion I would like you to present some support of your view of what is a simulation. Is it something you've cooked up or do you have references in support of it?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rockx

I just wish to know if my coding is correct or have i made errors in my coding

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Since you've used float variables throughout and if the code compiles there's nothing wrong with your C++ "coding". Any problems must lay with the algorithm you're using.

The algorithm can be deducted from the C++ code of course but how much effort should be put on the people here really? If all burden is on us then you could as well be cut out of the loop. Post the task and let us send in answers directly to your professor? We'll promise to credit you as the major inspirator. :)

hi nuzzle, i have already submitted my assignments back in April, when it was due. and i have uploaded the code that i had submitted, all i need to do now is that to make sure where i went wrong, i got my final exams coming in a few days time so i m basically trying to prepare for that. i m not asking anyone to do my assignment for me, i just needed a little guidance to perfect myself.

but i really appreciate the help and the guidance given to me.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rockx

hi nuzzle, i have already submitted my assignments back in April, when it was due. and i have uploaded the code that i had submitted, all i need to do now is that to make sure where i went wrong, i got my final exams coming in a few days time so i m basically trying to prepare for that. i m not asking anyone to do my assignment for me, i just needed a little guidance to perfect myself.

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Well, you're bullshitting, plain and simple.

It doesn't work here. At least not with me. Anyway, good luck :).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rockx

This was due in checked in April. I just wish to get to the correct coding so i could know where i went wrong

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Did you not get any comments/feedback from your teacher? If not, then check your results with another student or with another implementation, e.g. in a spreadsheet. Find out where any difference originates and then analyze which implementation is correct.

So far, you haven't done more than post your code and ask people to correct it. Programming doesn't work that way; you need to be able to verify your own code and, if not correct, hunt down and fix any errors. Whenever you get stuck, we can help you, but you'll need to show us all the steps you've taken. Otherwise, we cannot help you; we can only do the work for you (which is pointless).

Lets imagine in the reef the 2 fishes reside in has been divided into 7 different sectors, which are populated by Kernighans and Ritchies. This predator-prey relationship determines largely the population size. However, the population is also influenced by migration of fish. Measurements show that every month a certain fraction in a sector will migrate to a neighbouring sector.

So lets now use functions and arrays to calculate the population whilst keeping the migration into consideration.

Suppose that in a given month the number of Kernighan in sector i is pop_k[i], and the population of Ritchies is pop_r[i]. The number of Kernighans in sector i changes as follows:

The population pop_k[i] decreases by alpha_k · pop_k[i]. This is the number of Kernighans that would starve if there were no Ritchies to eat.
• The population pop_k[i] increases by beta_k · pop_k[i] · pop_r[i]. This is the number of new Kernighans because they can feed on Ritchies.
• The population pop_k[i] decreases by gamma_k · pop_k[i]2. This decrease in the number of Kernighans is due to competition between Kernighans.
• The population pop_k[i] increases by omega_k · pop_k[left(i)]. This is the number of Kernighans that migrated from the sector to the left of sector i.
• The population pop_k[i] increases by omega_k · pop_k[right(i)]. This is the number of Kernighans that migrated from the sector to the right of sector i.
• The population pop_k[i] decreases by 2 omega_k · pop_k[i]. This is the number of Kernighans that migrated from the sector i to one of the two neighbouring sectors.
• If the result of this computation is smaller than 0.001, then there are no Kernighan fish left.

The number of Ritchies in sector i changes as follows:

The population pop_r[i] increases by alpha_r · pop_r[i]. This is the number of new Ritchies, if there were no Kernighan to eat them..
• The population pop_r[i] decreases by beta_r · pop_k[i] · pop_r[i]. This is the number of Ritcchies eaten by Kernighans.
• The population pop_r[i] decreases by gamma_r · pop_r[i]2. This decrease in the number of Ritcchies tis due to competition between Ritchies.
• The population pop_r[i] increases by omega_r · pop_r[left(i)]. This is the number of Ritcchies that migrated from the sector to the left of sector i.
• The population pop_r[i] increases by omega_r · pop_r[right(i)]. This is the number of Ritcchies that migrated from the sector to the right of sector i.
• The population pop_r[i] decreases by 2 omega_r · pop_r[i]. This is the number of Ritcchies that migrated from the sector i to one of the two neighbouring sectors.

Measurements have shown that the constants have the following values:
• alpha_k = 0.4;
• beta_k = 0.4
• gamma_k=0.036
• omega_k=0.1
• alpha_r = 0.2;
• beta_r = 0.2
• gamma_r=0.036
• omega_r=0.1

So to implement a simulator that computes the populations for a given number of months for all sectors. This simulator has to take into account the predator-prey model and the influence of migration. It should give the user an option to set the population of Ritchies in a randomly selected sector to 0.

Here is my code

Code:

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#include <iostream>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <cstring>
#include <iomanip>
#include <cstdlib>


using namespace std;

const int N=7;

void tellUser();
int GetMonth();
bool AskZero();
void Header();

int left(int i);
//int right(int i);

//void display_pops(int iteration,double pop1[], double pop2[], int size);
//void mycopy(double original[],double copy[],int size);
//void init_pop(double value,double pop[], int size);

int main()
{
    double pop_r[N];
    const double ALPHA_K = 0.4;
    const double BETA_K = 0.4;
    const double GAMMA_K = 0.036;
    const double OMEGA_K = 0.1;
    const double ALPHA_R = 0.2;
    const double BETA_R = 0.2;
    const double GAMMA_R = 0.036;
    const double OMEGA_R = 0.1;
   
   

   
   
    tellUser();
    GetMonth();
    bool response = AskZero();
    Header();
   
   
    if (response)
    {
      int sector = rand() % N ; 
      pop_r[sector] = 0;       
               
    }
               
 
   
    //double starve_k, new_k, comp_k, migrate_k, emigrate_kl,emigrate_kr, migrated_k;
    //double new_r, eaten_r, comp_r, migrate_r, emigrate_rl,emigrate rr, migrated_r;
   
   
        /*
        starve_k[i] = ALPHA_K * pop_k[i];
        new_k[i] = BETA_K * pop_k[i] * pop_r[i];
        comp_k[i] = GAMMA_K * pop_k[i] * pop_k[i];
        emigrate_kl[i] = OMEGA_K * pop_k [left(i)];
        emigrate_kr[i] = OMEGA_K * pop_k [right(i)];
        migrated_k[i] = 2 * OMEGA_K * pop_k [i];
     

        new_r[i] = ALPHA_R * pop_r[i];
        eaten_r[i] = BETA_R * pop_k[i] * pop_r[i];
        comp_r[i] = GAMMA_R * pop_r[i] * pop_r[i];
        emigrate_rl[i] = OMEGA_R * pop_r[i] [left(i)];
        emigrate_rr[i] = OMEGA_R * pop_r [right(i)];
        migrated_r[i] = 2 * OMEGA_R * pop_r [i];
       
        pop_k[i] = pop_k[i] - starve_k[i] + new_k[i] - comp_k[i] + emigrate_kl[i] + emigrate_kr[i] - migrated_k[i];
       
          pop_r[i] = pop_r[i] + new_r[i] - eaten_r[i] - comp_r[i] + emigrate_rl[i] + emigrate_rr[i] - migrated_r[i];
       
       
      */
   
   
    system ("PAUSE");
    return 0;
}

void tellUser()
{
    cout << "\n\n\n\t\t=====================================\n" << endl;
        cout << "\t\t|  Mongolian Reef Fish Simulator  |\n" << endl;
        cout << "\t\t=====================================\n" << endl;
   
    system ("PAUSE");
    system ("cls");
   
   
}

int GetMonth()
{
    int month=0;
    cout << "\n\n\n\t===============================================\n" << endl;
        cout << "\t| How many months do you want to simulate?  |\n" << endl;
        cout << "\t==============================================\n" << endl;
    cin >> month;
   
    system ("cls");
   
}


bool AskZero()
{

        char response;
        cout << "\n\nDo want the number of Ritchies in a randomly selected sector to be zero[y/n]\n" << endl;
        cin >> response;
   
          if (response == 'N' || response == 'n')
            {
              return false;
            }
   
          if (response == 'Y' ||response == 'y')
            {
              return true;
            }
   
}

void Header()
{
    cout << "\t----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------"<<endl;
    cout << "\t| sector #0 | sector #1 | sector #2 | sector #3 | sector #4 | sector #5 | sector #6 |"<<endl;
    cout << "\t| kern,ritc | kern,ritc | kern,ritc | kern,ritc | kern,ritc | kern,ritc | kern,ritc |" <<endl;
    cout << "\t----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------"<<endl;
     
     
}

int left(int i)
{
    int sector;
   
   
    }

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Apart from the fact that AskZero doesn't always return a value, GetMonth never returns a value, left doesn't do anything and doesn't return a value, you don't set the initial conditions for the different sectors (apart from asking if one should randomly be set to 0) and you have all the calculation code commented, what is your question (mindful that we won't write your code for you)?

Have you actually produced a program design for this simulation? If you haven't, your first task should be to produce the design. If you have a design, what is your problem in coding the program from the design?