Exercise · ZW-STABILITY-OF-AN-EQUILIBRIUM-004 · ★☆☆ Basic

The origin of \(\mathbf x'=A\mathbf x\) with \(A=\begin{pmatrix}-1&2\\-2&-1\end{pmatrix}\) is:

Choose one option.

Show answer
  • B. Asymptotically stable

Explanation

\((-1-\lambda)^2+4=0\) gives \(\lambda=-1\pm2i\). The real part is \(-1<0\): a spiral entering the origin.

Study Differential equations in ZWMath →

Review the concept: Stability of an equilibrium

An equilibrium \(\mathbf x^*\) is stable if, for every tolerance \(\varepsilon\), there is a radius \(\delta\) such that solutions starting within \(\delta\) of it never move farther than \(\varepsilon\).

\[\|\mathbf x(0)-\mathbf x^*\|<\delta\;\Longrightarrow\;\|\mathbf x(t)-\mathbf x^*\|<\varepsilon\quad\text{for all }t\ge0\]

More practice problems: stability of an equilibrium

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