Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2001 / iii / Paper 51 / 1 / b / Solution

The linearization of this reduction of the FitzHugh-Nagumo model at its trivial equilibrium point isA double zero eigenvalue requires both the constant and linear coefficients to vanish. Hence the codimension-two point isThere the polynomial is $m^2(m+3/2)$. The kernel of a linear map of $L$ is one-dimensional, so its zero eigenvalue has a nontrivial size-two block in Jordan normal form. This is a reflection-symmetric double-zero point of Bogdanov–Takens bifurcation type, with one stable direction; the nonlinear coefficients are computed below rather than assumed.