Exercise · ZW-EQUILIBRIUM-POINTS-010 · ★★★ Advanced

How many distinct equilibria does \(y'=(y-1)^2(y+2)\) have?

Choose one option.

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  • C. 2

Explanation

The roots are \(y=1\) (double) and \(y=-2\): two distinct values, even though the total multiplicity is 3.

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Review the concept: Equilibrium points

An equilibrium point of an autonomous equation \(y'=f(y)\) is a constant value \(y^*\) of the unknown at which \(f\) vanishes.

\[f(y^*)=0\;\Longleftrightarrow\; y(t)\equiv y^*\text{ is a solution}\]

More practice problems: equilibrium points

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