Differential equation: Autonomous equation question

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on solving an autonomous differential equation represented by the equation y' = r(1 - y/k)y - h = y^2 - ky + kh/r. The participant is analyzing the roots of the equation, specifically y2 = (k + sqrt(k^2 - 4kh/r))/2 and y1 = (k - sqrt(k^2 - 4kh/r))/2. They conclude that y1 is stable and y2 is unstable, but express confusion regarding the stability criteria, particularly the relationship between the second derivative y'' and stability. The key takeaway is that stability should be assessed using y' rather than y''.

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  • Understanding of autonomous differential equations
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Homework Statement


Screen Shot 2015-11-13 at 2.38.20 PM.png

I'm stuck on Question #2 part A/B

Homework Equations


y'=r(1-y/k)y-h=y^2-ky+kh/r
y''=2y-k
Roots for y'= (k+/-sqrt(k^2-4kh/r))/2 I am assuming the positive root is y2
h<rk/4
[/B]

The Attempt at a Solution


on part a I'm getting the roots to be y2=(K+sqrt(k^2-4kh/r))/2 and y1=(K-sqrt(k^2-4kh/r))/2... I then got the second derivative of the function to be y''=2y-k and when i plug in the equilibrium equations to check which one is stable and unstable I get for y2 that it is unstable and for y1 it's stable but I know that it should be the reverse... unless somehow y2 is less than y1. Or I'm mislead in thinking that y''<0 is stable and y''>0 is unstable (in question #1 that is how it seemed to work out)
 
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Forget y'' - you only need to think about y'
 

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