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arXiv · 2607.19990

Why I don't like the logistic equation

Janusz Uchmański
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Abstract

The logistic equation treats the definition of its variable freely. It is undoubtedly the population density. The logistic equation in the differential version requires continuity of processes occurring in the population. In the differential version, we do not know what happens to the population between time steps. When filling these gaps, models with features different from the logistic equation appear. If we have a micro-scale model describing the fate of individuals and interactions between them, then the macro description for this model is not the equation for population density (e.g. the logistic equation) but the model of matter circulation or energy flow through this system. We lack mathematics to describe purely biological processes.

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Janusz Uchmański. 2026-07-22. Why I don't like the logistic equation. https://arxiv.org/abs/2607.19990

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