Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-topics-in-applied-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-oxford/2007/b/5/a/solution

A saddle-node bifurcation creates or destroys two equilibria when a real eigenvalue passes through zero with a nonzero quadratic normal-form term. With a parameter orientation chosen so the pair appears for , use
There are no equilibria for , a double nonhyperbolic equilibrium at zero, and equilibria for . The positive branch is stable and the negative branch unstable in the active direction; additional hyperbolic directions can make them a node and a saddle equilibrium. “Supercritical” for a fold depends on this chosen parameter orientation; unlike the pitchfork and Hopf cases it is not an intrinsic distinction between the stability of two possible cubic branches.

New to topics? Read the docs here!