Past exam of the topics in applied mathematics course of the University of Oxford / 2007 / A / 3 / i

The travelling coordinate has $A_t=-c{a}^{\prime }$, $A_{xx}=a^{\prime \prime }$. Therefore the profile equation isThe wave moves right with speed $c$. It joins a populated equilibrium behind to an empty equilibrium ahead.

The phase-plane equations are $a^{\prime }=b$, $b^{\prime }=-cb-f(a)$. Nonnegative equilibria require $b=0$ and $f(a)=0$, hence only $\boxed{(0,0),(\eta ,0)}$. At the origin $f^{\prime }(0)={\eta }^2$, so the linear eigenvalues solveFor $0<c<2\eta$ the roots are complex with negative real part, giving a stable focus. For $c>2\eta$ both are negative real numbers, giving a stable node. Equality is the repeated-root threshold and is not covered by either strict classification.

A nonconstant trajectory approaching a stable focus winds around it infinitely often. Its $a$ coordinate therefore changes sign repeatedly near zero. Since the biological population profile must remain nonnegative, such a trajectory cannot represent the wave. The only nonnegative trajectory avoiding that winding at the origin would be the equilibrium itself, which cannot join the populated state. Thus $\boxed{\text{no nonnegative front for }0<c<2\eta }$.