Question

(a) Find the eigenvalues and eigenvectors. (b) Classify the critical point \((0,0)\) as to type and determine whether it is stable, asymptotically stable, or unstable. (c) Sketch several trajectories in the phase plane and also sketch some typical graphs of \(x_{1}\) versus \(t .\) (d) Use a computer to plot accurately the curves requested in part (c). \(\frac{d \mathbf{x}}{d t}=\left(\begin{array}{cc}{3} & {-2} \\ {2} & {-2}\end{array}\right) \mathbf{x}\)

Short answer

Based on the given system of two linear differential equations, we found the eigenvalues and eigenvectors, classified the stability of the critical point (0,0) as unstable, and sketched the trajectories in the phase plane. The eigenvalues are λ1=2 and λ2=-1, and the eigenvectors are v1= (2,1) and v2= (1,2). The critical point (0,0) is a saddle point, and the trajectories are stretched along the eigenvector corresponding to the positive eigenvalue, and compressed along the eigenvector corresponding to the negative eigenvalue.

Step-by-step solution

Finding eigenvalues of the matrix

To find the eigenvalues, we need to find the roots of the characteristic equation given by the determinant: \(\det(A - \lambda I) = 0\), where \(A = \begin{pmatrix} 3 & -2 \\ 2 & -2 \end{pmatrix}\) and \(I\) is the identity matrix. The characteristic equation is : \[ \begin{vmatrix} 3-\lambda & -2 \\ 2 & -2-\lambda \end{vmatrix} = (3-\lambda)(-2-\lambda) - (-2)(2) = \lambda^2-\lambda-2 \] Now, we find the roots (eigenvalues) of the characteristic equation: \[ \lambda^2-\lambda-2 = 0 \]

Finding eigenvectors of the matrix

The eigenvalues of the characteristic equation are \(\lambda_1=2\) and \(\lambda_2=-1\). Now, we find the eigenvectors corresponding to each eigenvalue by solving the system \((A-\lambda I)v=0\). For \(\lambda_1=2\) : \[ (A - \lambda_1 I)v_1 = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & -2 \\ 2 & -4 \end{pmatrix} \begin{pmatrix} v_{11} \\ v_{12} \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} 0 \\ 0 \end{pmatrix} \] We can see that the second row is a scalar multiple of the first row, so we only need to focus on one row: \[ v_{11} - 2 v_{12} = 0 \] We can choose \(v_{12} = 1\), which gives us \(v_{11} = 2\). So, \(v_1=\begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}\). For \(\lambda_2=-1\) : \[ (A - \lambda_2 I)v_2 = \begin{pmatrix} 4 & -2 \\ 2 & -1 \end{pmatrix} \begin{pmatrix} v_{21} \\ v_{22} \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} 0 \\ 0 \end{pmatrix} \] Again, the second row is a scalar multiple of the first row, so we only need to focus on one row: \[ 4 v_{21} - 2 v_{22} = 0 \] We can simplify this to \(2v_{21} - v_{22} = 0\). Let \(v_{21}=1\). Then \(v_{22}=2\). So, \(v_2=\begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 2 \end{pmatrix}\).

Classify the critical point and determine stability

The stability of the critical point \((0,0)\) can be determined using the eigenvalues found earlier. We have \(\lambda_1=2\) and \(\lambda_2=-1\). Since one eigenvalue is positive and the other is negative, the critical point \((0,0)\) is a saddle point and is unstable.

Sketching trajectories in the phase plane

To sketch the trajectories, we need to find the general solution of the system and simplify the expression. The general solution is given by: \[ \mathbf{x}(t) = c_1 e^{\lambda_1 t} \mathbf{v}_1 + c_2 e^{\lambda_2 t} \mathbf{v}_2 \] Substituting the eigenvalues and eigenvectors, we get: \[ \mathbf{x}(t) = c_1 e^{2t} \begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix} + c_2 e^{-t} \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 2 \end{pmatrix} \] Since the system is unstable, the trajectories will move away from the origin. For the given system, the trajectories will be stretched along the eigenvector corresponding to the positive eigenvalue (\(\begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}\)), and compressed along the eigenvector corresponding to the negative eigenvalue (\(\begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 2 \end{pmatrix}\)).