?How to know if equilibrium points are stable or not. Is my solution correct

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The discussion centers on determining the stability of equilibrium points in a differential equation context. It is established that the equilibrium point at y = -1 is stable, as values close to it tend to converge towards -1, while y = 1 is unstable since values diverge from it. Participants clarify that stability can be assessed using the first and second derivatives, emphasizing that a point is stable if the first derivative changes from negative to positive and unstable if it changes from positive to negative. There is a debate about the correct application of these principles, with some confusion regarding the differentiation process and the implications for stability. Ultimately, the conversation highlights the importance of accurately applying mathematical definitions and methods to assess equilibrium stability.
  • #31


Mark44 said:
Apologies, your derivative was correct. Your notation was not so good, though.
If y' means dy/dt, then y'' means d2y/dt2, and that's not what is called for here. Instead of y'', you should use fy or other notation to indicate that you're taking the partial with respect to y.

The object isn't merely to evaluate f(1, 2) and fy(1, 2). You need to show that f(t, y) and fy(t, y) are continuous in some rectangle around (1, 2). Can you do that?

Fy=-2(t^2-2)y+3y^2-1

i have no idea how to show this is continuous?

is there a method. if so i don't know what it is, cany you give me a link to a website which possibly teaches you how to know if somethig is continous.

i know how to prove a function is 1-1 though
 
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  • #32


Both functions are defined at all point (t, y) in the plane. Since the only operations involved in their formulas are multiplication and addition, both functions are also continuous at every point (t, y) in the plane.

The basis ideas involved here are these: if g(x) and h(x) are continuous functions, the the sum (g + h)(x) and product gh(x) are continous. both f(t, y) and fy(t, y) can be split up into the sum or product of simple linear or quadratic functions, which is enough to show that f(t, y) and fy(t, y) are continuous. This is enough to show that the differential equation y' = f(t, y) has a unique solution that contains the point (1, 2). That's what you wanted to show in part e, so you're done.
 

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