Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2020 / ii / Paper 1 / 32E (Dynamical Systems)

PutThe equilibrium points of a dynamical system form the three branch familiesFor a simple equilibrium, fixed point stability for an autonomous differential equation is determined by the sign of $f_x$. On the three families,Thus solid branches in the figure are stable and dashed branches are unstable.

If $a<0$, the pair $x=\pm \sqrt{\mu -a}$ emerges stably from $x=0$ at $\mu =a$ in a pitchfork bifurcation. At $\mu =0$, the pair $x=\pm \sqrt{2\mu }$ meets $x=0$ with unstable nonzero branches; after reversing the parameter orientation this is a subcritical pitchfork bifurcation. At $\mu =-a$, the two positive branches cross and exchange stability, as do the two negative branches, giving two simultaneous transcritical bifurcations at $x=\pm \sqrt{-2a}$.

If $a=0$, every branch meets at $(\mu ,x)=(0,0)$. For $\mu <0$ only the stable trivial branch exists. For $\mu >0$, $x=0$ is stable, the inner branches $x=\pm \sqrt{\mu }$ are unstable, and the outer branches $x=\pm \sqrt{2\mu }$ are stable. This is a degenerate fifth-order bifurcation rather than a generic pitchfork.

If $a>0$, a supercritical pitchfork bifurcation occurs at $\mu =0$: the trivial branch loses stability and the stable branches $x=\pm \sqrt{2\mu }$ emerge. At $\mu =a$, the unstable branches $x=\pm \sqrt{\mu -a}$ meet the trivial branch, which regains stability; this is the parameter-reversed form of a subcritical pitchfork bifurcation.

These cases comprise the bifurcations of the 2020 Cambridge quintic system.

Suppose $a<0$. Near the pitchfork at $(\mu ,x)=(a,0)$, put $\lambda =\mu -a$. Keeping the lowest terms that distinguish the branches givesSince $-2a>0$, this is the pitchfork bifurcation normal form: the zero branch changes from stable to unstable and the stable branches $x=\pm \sqrt{\lambda }$ appear for $\lambda >0$.

Near $(\mu ,x)=(0,0)$, put $\lambda =\mu$. ThenHere $-a>0$, so for $\lambda >0$ the zero branch is stable and the two nearby nonzero branches are unstable. This confirms the parameter-reversed subcritical pitchfork bifurcation.

Finally fix either $x_0=\pm \sqrt{-2a}$ and putThe two vanishing factors have the leading expansionsWith the parameter-dependent coordinate $w=2x_{0}u-m$,This is the transcritical bifurcation normal form: the branches $w=0$ and $w=m$ cross and exchange stability.

After adding $ϵ>0$, the equilibrium equation isThe constant term breaks the reflection symmetry $x\mapsto -x$. Consequently each symmetry-forced pitchfork becomes an imperfect pitchfork bifurcation, while each crossing that produced a transcritical bifurcation is disconnected. The remaining generic turning points are saddle-node bifurcations. The lower row shows this unfolding for a representative small positive $ϵ$; the upper row gives the unperturbed diagrams.

For $a<0$, both pitchforks and both transcritical crossings are destroyed. For $a=0$, the simultaneous fifth-order meeting splits into separated folds. For $a>0$, both pitchforks become imperfect. Hence, under the allowed constant perturbation,This is the structural stability of a bifurcation distinction between the nongeneric pitchfork and transcritical diagrams and the generic saddle-node diagrams left by their unfoldings.