Analytical Techniques in Mathematical Biology: Assignment 1

Michael Sonneyboy Gboneh (michaelgboneh@aims.ac.za)

January 29, 2016

Question 1
Given the following differential equation:

2x2
x0 = rx
1 + x2

We are required to find the equilibrium points and sketch the phase line in each of the three cases

(i) 0 < r < 1, (ii) r = 1, (iii) r > 1

and explain what will happen if r < 1 given that the initial insect population is very small.

Solution

2x2
x0 = rx = f (x)
1 + x2

We first determine the equilibrium points.

Let f 0 (x) = 0.

2x2
rx =0
1 + x2
rx(1 + x2 ) 2x2 = 0
rx + rx3 2x2 = 0
x(rx2 2x + r) = 0
The above equation we lead us to:
x = 0 or
2
rx 2x + r = 0

We solve rx2 2x + r = 0 for x using the quadratic formula and obtained the following roots after
simplification

1

2 4 4r2
x=
2r
1 1 r2
=
r
This lead us to the following the equilibrium points:

1 1 r2 1+ 1 r2
x1 = 0, x2 = and x3 =
r r

Considering Case 1 : 0 < r < 1

If we sketch the graph for any value of r in the above interval of our function,the following figure will be
generated:

Figure 1: Case 1 Graph

1 1r 2
From the graph of the function,the phase line can be illustrated as below, where x1 = 0,x2 = r

2
and x3 = 1+ r1r .

Figure 2: Case 1 Phase line

2
Case 2 : r = 1
If we sketch the graph for any value of r in the above interval of our function,the following figure will be
generated:

Figure 3: Case 2 Graph

From the graph of the function,the phase line can be illustrated as below

Figure 4: Case 2 Phase line

If we sketch the graph of our function, we have the following figure:

3
Case 3 : r > 1
If we sketch the graph for any value of r in the above interval of our function,the following figure will be
generated:

Figure 5: Case 3 Graph

From the graph of the function,the phase line can be illustrated as below

Figure 6: Case 3 Phase line

Given that the initial insect population is very small,assuming close to zero, and with r < 1 , The insect
population will converge to x2 . The observation can be seen in case 1.