The parameter r is the ratio of the Rayleigh number divided by the critical Rayleigh number. The parameter is the Prandtl number. The third parameter b is related to the horizontal wave number of the system. Typical values, r = 28, , , dimension . A common second set of values, , , b = 4, dimension .
The interesting cases are where the Rayleigh number ratio, r, is large which suggests that we could expand the system of equations around a parameter which is proportional to the reciprocal of r (which would be small).
If we define,
and let,
Then equations (1) - (3) become (after dropping the primes),
Now consider the expansion of x, y, and z in terms of the parameter ,
Introducing (9) in (6) - (8), gives the order 0 equations,
and at order , the system,
The interdependence of the first order equations with the order 0 equations can removed with some algebraic manipulation,
Use (11) and (12) to eliminate ,
Integrating this,
where the terms in the brackets of equation (17) are the initial values of and . We will define this (constant) term as
If we go back to (10) and (12) to eliminate ,
Integrating this gives,
here the terms in the brackets of equation (20) are the initial values of and .
We will define this term as,
Using (17) in (10) gives,
now using (19),
Given the solution to this equation, can be solved for by using (10). Then given and , then can be solved for by using (12). An equation for can also be derived by using manipulations similar to that used in deriving (23) (using equations (17) and (20) in (12) to eliminate and ), to give,
Equation (23) can be solved analytically, its solution is a Jacobi elliptic function,
The other components can also be determined,
(where ) so the system is well behaved (not chaotic).
The first order equations ( (13) - (15) ) are linear so they cannot possibly lead to chaotic solutions (all subsequent order equations are also linear). Thus we have shown that while the actual system can be chaotic, the perturbation solutions may not be.