Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2021/ii/paper-2/33a/c/solution

For , trajectories rapidly approach the cubic nullcline
and then move slowly along its attracting outer branches . For , the equilibrium lies on the repelling middle branch. Slow motion to a fold, a rapid jump to the opposite outer branch, and repetition produce a relaxation oscillation. For , the equilibrium lies on the attracting right branch; trajectories undergo any necessary fast jump and then drift to that equilibrium, so no relaxation cycle remains.

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