Why is the Particular Solution Different in Nonlinear System Equilibria?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the nonlinear system defined by the equations x' = x + y² and y' = -y, as presented in the book "Differential Equations, Dynamical Systems and an Introduction to Chaos" by Hirsh, Smale, and Devaney. The user seeks clarification on the derivation of the particular solution, specifically why the expression for x(t) is x(t) = (x₀ + (1/3)y₀²)e^t - (1/3)y₀²e^{-2t} instead of x(t) = (x₀ - (1/3)y₀²)e^t - (1/3)y₀²e^{-2t}. The resolution involves recognizing that the constant c must satisfy the initial condition x(0) = x₀, leading to the correct formulation of the solution.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of nonlinear differential equations
  • Familiarity with eigenvalue problems and homogeneous solutions
  • Knowledge of particular solutions in the context of differential equations
  • Basic concepts of stability in dynamical systems
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the method of finding particular solutions in nonlinear systems
  • Learn about the stability analysis of nonlinear systems using Lyapunov's method
  • Explore coordinate transformations in dynamical systems
  • Review the concepts of linearization and its applications in differential equations
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Students and professionals in mathematics, particularly those focusing on differential equations and dynamical systems, as well as educators teaching these concepts.

BrainHurts
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So I'm reading the Example on page 161 of Differential Equations, Dynamical Systems and an Introduction to Chaos by Hirsh, Smale, and Devaney.

I'm not understanding everything.

So given the system

x' = x + y^2
y' = -y

we see this is non-linear. I get it that near the origin, y^2 tends to zero "fast". So we can consider the system

x' = x

y' = -y

I see that the solution to this system is X = c_1 e^t (1,0) + c_2e^{-t}(0,1) = (c_1e^{t},c_2e^{-2})and we have that the y-axis is the stable line and the x-axis is the unstable line.

Here's where I'm unsure of where things are going on since we can solve y' = -y \rightarrow y = y_0e^{-t}, we solve x' = x \rightarrow x = x_0e^t

Since we have the solution to the homogenous eig buation and we'll say that the particular solution x_p(t) = Ce^{-2t}, x_p'(t) = -2Ce^{-2t}, we'll get that C = -\dfrac{1}{3}y_0^2, so we'll get that x(t) = ce^t - \dfrac{1}{3}y_0^2e^{-2t}

Not seeing how they got that
x(t) = \left( x_0 + \dfrac{1}{3}y_0^2 \right) e^t - \dfrac{1}{3}y_0^2e^{-2t}

y(t) = y_0e^{-t}

why isn't it x(t) = \left( x_0 - \dfrac{1}{3}y_0^2 \right) e^t - \dfrac{1}{3}y_0^2e^{-2t}?

This seems like a big deal because we're getting ready to do a change of coordinates.
 
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BrainHurts said:
So I'm reading the Example on page 161 of Differential Equations, Dynamical Systems and an Introduction to Chaos by Hirsh, Smale, and Devaney.

I'm not understanding everything.

So given the system

x' = x + y^2
y' = -y

we see this is non-linear. I get it that near the origin, y^2 tends to zero "fast". So we can consider the system

x' = x

y' = -y

I see that the solution to this system is X = c_1 e^t (1,0) + c_2e^{-t}(0,1) = (c_1e^{t},c_2e^{-2})and we have that the y-axis is the stable line and the x-axis is the unstable line.

Here's where I'm unsure of where things are going on since we can solve y' = -y \rightarrow y = y_0e^{-t}, we solve x' = x \rightarrow x = x_0e^t

Since we have the solution to the homogenous eig buation and we'll say that the particular solution x_p(t) = Ce^{-2t}, x_p'(t) = -2Ce^{-2t}, we'll get that C = -\dfrac{1}{3}y_0^2, so we'll get that x(t) = ce^t - \dfrac{1}{3}y_0^2e^{-2t}

Not seeing how they got that
x(t) = \left( x_0 + \dfrac{1}{3}y_0^2 \right) e^t - \dfrac{1}{3}y_0^2e^{-2t}

y(t) = y_0e^{-t}

why isn't it x(t) = \left( x_0 - \dfrac{1}{3}y_0^2 \right) e^t - \dfrac{1}{3}y_0^2e^{-2t}?

This seems like a big deal because we're getting ready to do a change of coordinates.

You have x(t) = ce^t - \frac13 y_0^2 e^{-2t} and you need x(0) = x_0. Hence c - \frac13 y_0^2 = x_0 so that c = x_ 0 + \frac13 y_0^2.
 
Thanks so much! I know we want to do that in order to make the linearization work correct?
 

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