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

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the stability of equilibrium points in a dynamical system, specifically analyzing the behavior of solutions near these points. The subject area includes differential equations and stability analysis.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the conditions under which equilibrium points are considered stable or unstable, referencing the behavior of derivatives and second derivatives. There are attempts to clarify definitions and conditions for stability, with some participants questioning the validity of previous assertions and definitions.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights and corrections regarding the definitions of stability. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of derivatives in determining stability, but there is no explicit consensus on the interpretations being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants note potential confusion arising from different definitions of stability and the context of previous discussions, particularly regarding the relationship between potential energy and stability criteria. There are also references to specific examples and calculations that may not align with the general definitions being debated.

  • #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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