In mathematics, the Lyapunov exponent quantifies the rate of separation of trajectories. Two trajectories can be said to diverge at a rate explained by the following:
Where the divergence at time t is a function of the divergence at time 0 with the Lyapunov exponent (represented as the lambda) being hugely influential. If the Lyapunov exponent is positive, the system is more chaotic and if it is negative it is more stable.
My mathematical education only went through basic calculus, so this is way over my head, but the concept is remarkably relevant to mall