Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2021 ia Paper 4 11C ii Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-25
The downward and upward positions are equilibria. Linearization about givesso the downward equilibrium is stable for and unstable for ; at equality it is marginal at linear order. At , the linear coefficient is , so the upward equilibrium is unstable.
When , there are also the two equilibriaAt either nonvertical equilibrium, differentiation of the right-hand side gives , so both are stable when distinct. This is a pitchfork bifurcation of a rotating hoop bead at .