Solution

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

A Hopf bifurcation occurs when a simple pair of complex conjugate eigenvalues crosses the imaginary axis at nonzero frequency. A supercritical normal form of a dynamical system is
Writing gives and . A stable periodic orbit of radius is born for as the equilibrium loses stability. In contrast, a subcritical Hopf has an unstable small periodic orbit on the side where the equilibrium is still stable.

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