Past exam of the mathematical methods II course of the University of Oxford / 2022 / 11 / d / Solution

For the supplied equations, ${\lambda }_{+}\to 1$ and $a_2/a_1=\alpha /(\alpha -{\lambda }_{+})\sim -\alpha$. Thus the higher-frequency normal mode becomes an upper-mass oscillation at $\sqrt{g/l}$ with a vanishing, opposite-sign lower horizontal displacement. At $\alpha =0$ the supplied lower equation is ${\ddot{x}}_2=0$ and its other mode has zero frequency.

This limiting picture belongs to the given matrix. For the physical unequal-mass double pendulum, both normal mode angular frequencies tend to $\sqrt{g/l}$ as the lower mass tends to zero; at exactly zero mass its independent equation needs a limiting test-body interpretation. The source's extra $\alpha$ changes precisely this conclusion.