Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2009 / ii / Paper 3 / 14E / i / Solution

Put $s=\sqrt{b}$. The two fixed points on the invariant line $x=0$ are $P_{+}=(0,s)$ and $P_{-}=(0,-s)$. There are also $Q_{\pm }=(\pm \sqrt{b-a^2/4},-a/2)$ when $a^2<4b$. At equality they coalesce with $P_{-}$.

The Jacobian matrix isAt $P_{+}$ its eigenvalues are $-a-2s$ and $2s$, so it is always a saddle equilibrium. At $P_{-}$ they are $2s-a$ and $-2s$, so it is a saddle equilibrium for $a<2s$ and a stable node for $a>2s$, with a zero eigenvalue at $a=2s$.

At $Q_{\pm }$ the characteristic equation is ${\lambda }^2+a\lambda +4b-a^2=0$, givingFor $0<a^2<16b/5$ these points are stable spirals; for $16b/5<a^2<4b$ they are stable nodes. At $a^2=16b/5$ the double negative eigenvalue has only one independent eigenvector, so these are improper stable nodes. When $a=0$ they are center equilibria, as established in part (iii). Thus the collision at $\boxed{a^2=4b>0}$ changes both the number and stability of fixed points; it is the bifurcation classified below.