What are the different types and stabilities of critical points?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying the types and stabilities of critical points in a dynamical system. Participants explore definitions and classifications related to proper nodes, saddle points, improper nodes, and centers, as well as their stability characteristics.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests identification of critical point types and their stability, providing a specific order of points.
  • Another participant proposes definitions for stability, suggesting that "attractive and stable" may equate to asymptotic stability, and distinguishes between stable, unstable, and asymptotically stable definitions.
  • A third participant claims to have classified the critical points as unstable, unstable, stable+attractive, and stable but expresses uncertainty about the correctness of their classification.
  • A later reply expresses agreement with the classifications provided by the third participant.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the classifications of critical points, but there is uncertainty regarding the definitions of stability and whether the classifications are correct.

Contextual Notes

Definitions of stability may depend on specific contexts or texts, and the discussion does not resolve the nuances of these definitions.

ineedhelpnow
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identify the type of critical point as spiral, center, saddle, proper node or improper node. in addition, identify the stability of the critical point as stable, unstable, or attractive and stable.

View image: 20151215 084536 1

In order: proper node, saddle point, improper node, center
But I don't understand how to figure out the stability
 
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I'm assuming that "attractive and stable" is the same as asymptotically stable. I'm not sure how they're defined in your book, but these are how I define them:
Asymptotically stable: all trajectories near the equilibrium solution (or points or critical points) approaches it.
Stable: a given trajectory doesn't get closer or farther away from the equilibrium solution...it stays equidistant.
Unstable: all trajectories near the equilibrium solution depart from it.

Given these definition, how would you classify them?
 
Well I figured them out to be unstable, unstable, stable+attractive, stable. Not sure if it's correct
 
Yep, those seem right to me :)
 

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