Predicted average values of the ratio M_burst(z)/M_∗(z) as a function of redshift and galaxy stellar mass. The four filled contours correspond to equally spaced values of the ratio M_burst(z)/M_∗(z): from 0.05 for the lightest filled region to 0.2 for the darkest. The lines illustrate the growth histories of a typical galaxy with final mass: M_∗(z = 0) = 10¹²  M_⊙ (red), M_∗(z = 0) = 10¹¹  M_⊙ (blue), and M_∗(z = 0) = 10¹⁰  M_⊙ (purple).