 Stationary branch of five-mode magnetoconvection

For positive diffusivity ratio $\zeta$ and $0<\phi <4$, define $\mu =(4-\phi ){\zeta }^2/\phi$. The nonzero steady branch has $b=a/(1+a^2)$, $c=a^2/(1+a^2)$, $d=\mu a/[\zeta (\mu +a^2)]$, and $e=a^2/(\mu +a^2)$. Substitution yields the displayed branch through $r=1+q$. Its initial slope in $a^2$ has the sign of $\phi q(2-\phi )+(4-\phi ){\zeta }^2(1+q)$. Positive slope is a supercritical pitchfork bifurcation direction, negative slope a subcritical pitchfork bifurcation direction. This geometric criterion alone does not assert stability against every perturbation.