Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2017 / ii / Paper 2 / 30A / a / Solution

The direct First Lyapunov theorem says that a continuously differentiable positive-definite function $V$ near an equilibrium, with $\dot{V}\le 0$, proves stability. LaSalle invariance principle says that in a compact positively invariant set, trajectories approach the largest invariant subset of $\{\dot{V}=0\}$. Under the terminology in which “first theorem” means the linearization theorem, eigenvalues with negative real part imply asymptotic stability, while zero-real-part eigenvalues leave the test inconclusive. Here the linearization has eigenvalues $0,-k$, so the direct criterion is needed.

Write $y=\dot{x}$ and chooseNear zero, $V=y^2/2+x^4/4+O(x^6)$ is positive definite. Along solutions,The component containing the origin of a sufficiently small closed sublevel set is compact, lies in $|x|<\pi$ and is positively invariant. The set $\dot{V}=0$ has $y=0$; to remain there also requires ${\sin }^{3}x=0$, so its largest invariant subset is just the origin. The two theorems establish the origin is asymptotically stable.