Critical points of system of DE

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the critical points of a system of differential equations defined by x' = x - x² - 2xy and y' = 2y - 2y² - 3xy. Participants are exploring the concept of critical points and how to identify them within the context of this system.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss equating the derivatives to zero to find critical points and share their results for x and y. There is uncertainty about how to combine these results and whether certain points qualify as critical points. Questions arise regarding the notation and the nature of the derivatives.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on combining conditions to find critical points, while others express confusion about the reasoning behind identifying critical points. The discussion includes attempts to evaluate specific combinations of x and y to determine their validity as critical points.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of confusion regarding the notation of derivatives and the nature of critical points, indicating a need for clarification on these concepts. Participants also note that not all points in other problems are critical, suggesting variability in the nature of critical points across different systems.

fluidistic
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Homework Statement


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

Homework Equations


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

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 [itex]x=0[/itex] or [itex]x=1-2y[/itex]) and equal y' to 0 and isolate y, which I've done and got [itex]y=0[/itex] or [itex]y=1-\frac{3x}{2}[/itex].
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:
[itex]x'=x-x^2-2xy[/itex] and [itex]y'=2y-2y^2-3xy[/itex].


Homework Equations


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


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 [itex]x=0[/itex] or [itex]x=1-2y[/itex]) and equal y' to 0 and isolate y, which I've done and got [itex]y=0[/itex] or [itex]y=1-\frac{3x}{2}[/itex].
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 [itex](x,y)=(0,1-\frac{3x}{2})[/itex].
Gives [itex]y'=3x-\frac{9x^2}{2}[/itex] evaluated in x=0 gives 0. But on the other hand since [itex]y=1-\frac{3x}{2}[/itex], [itex]y'=3/2[/itex] 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 [itex]3x-\frac{-9x^2}{2}[/itex] 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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