 Solution

Keep the same function $V$. For arbitrary $a,b$ its orbital derivative isLet $\gamma$ be a nonconstant orbit of the unperturbed system with period $T$. Sinceintegration over one period givesConsequently,If a perturbed periodic orbit persisted and converged to $\gamma$ as $(a,b)\to (0,0)$, its net change in $V$ over one period would vanish. The averaged first-integral obstruction to persistence of a periodic orbit would therefore requireWhen $ab<0$, the two leading terms have the same nonzero sign and their magnitude is bounded below by $r\min (A,B)(|a|+|b|)$. Thus no unperturbed periodic orbit persists for sufficiently small $a,b$ with $ab<0$.