Critical points of system of DE

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SUMMARY

The critical points of the system of differential equations defined by x' = x - x² - 2xy and y' = 2y - 2y² - 3xy are determined by setting both x' and y' to zero. The solutions yield four critical points: (0,0), (0,1), (1,0), and (1,1). The discussion emphasizes the importance of combining the derived equations for x and y to identify all critical points accurately. Additionally, it clarifies that not all points derived from the equations are critical points, as demonstrated in other problems.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of differential equations (DE)
  • Knowledge of critical points in dynamical systems
  • Familiarity with solving systems of equations
  • Basic calculus concepts including derivatives
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Students and self-learners of differential equations, mathematicians focusing on dynamical systems, and educators seeking to explain critical points in DE systems.

fluidistic
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Homework Statement


Find all the critical points of the system of DE:
x'=x-x^2-2xy and y'=2y-2y^2-3xy.

Homework Equations


y'=f(x, \vec y) has critical point if f(\vec x )=0.

The Attempt at a Solution


I'm self studying DE's and I'm not understanding well what critical points are.
It looks like I must equate x' to 0 and isolate x (which I've done and it gave me x=0 or x=1-2y) and equal y' to 0 and isolate y, which I've done and got y=0 or y=1-\frac{3x}{2}.
Now I don't know what to do.
 
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fluidistic said:

Homework Statement


Find all the critical points of the system of DE:
x'=x-x^2-2xy and y'=2y-2y^2-3xy.


Homework Equations


y'=f(x, \vec y) has critical point if f(\vec x )=0.


The Attempt at a Solution


I'm self studying DE's and I'm not understanding well what critical points are.
It looks like I must equate x' to 0 and isolate x (which I've done and it gave me x=0 or x=1-2y) and equal y' to 0 and isolate y, which I've done and got y=0 or y=1-\frac{3x}{2}.
Now I don't know what to do.

I think you've got a fine start. The critical points are just where (x',y')=(0,0). (x,y)=(0,0) is certainly one. Combine your two conditions for x and y in pairs and solve each pair. You'll get four critical points. The one I gave you combines x=0 and y=0. Now combine x=0 and y=1-3x/2. There are two more combinations to try.
 
Ah ok thank you.
So for example for (x,y)=(0,1-\frac{3x}{2}).
Gives y'=3x-\frac{9x^2}{2} evaluated in x=0 gives 0. But on the other hand since y=1-\frac{3x}{2}, y'=3/2 which differ from the previous answer, 0. So that this isn't a critical point? Is the reasoning good? Or it's because 3/2 isn't equal to 3x-\frac{-9x^2}{2} that it isn't a critical point?

Edit: I'm confused about the notation. Is x'=dx/dy and y'=dy/dx?

Edit2: I tried the other combinations and none gave me critical points. Only the (0,0) is critical point.
 
Last edited:
Both x and y are functions of a parameter, t, and the derivative is with respect to this parameter. The differential equations mean
\begin{align*}
\frac{dx}{dt} &= x-x^2-2xy \\
\frac{dy}{dt} &= 2y-2y^2-3xy
\end{align*}
For the case x=0 and y=1-(3/2)x, you have y = 1-(3/2)(0) = 1. If you plug (x,y)=(0,1) back into the original differential equations, you will indeed find that dx/dt=0 and dy/dt=0.
 
Ah I see vela, thank you. In this case I obtain that these 4 points are indeed critical.
Would it have been possible to obtain a point that wasn't critical?
Edit: nevermind the answer is yes, in another problem I get that not all of the points are critical.
 
Last edited:

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