Note on the End Game in Homotopy Zero Curve Tracking

Homotopy algorithms to solve a nonlinear system of equations f(x)=0 involve tracking the zero curve of a homotopy map p(a,theta,x) from theta=0 until theta=1. When the algorithm nears or crosses the hyperplane theta=1, an "end game" phase is begun to compute the solution x(bar) satisfying p(a,theta,x(bar))=f(x(bar))=0. This note compares several end game strategies, including the one implemented in the normal flow code FIXPNF in the homotopy software package HOMPACK.