MATH 275 ORDINARY DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

FALL 2018
Exam #2 sample key
 dx
= x− y
dt
1) Given the linear system
dy
= y − 4x
dt
a) Convert the system to matrix form.
b) Find all eigenvalues and eigenvectors
c) Find the general solution to the linear system.
d) Classify the equilibrium point at the origin.
a) Convert the system to matrix form.
 dx 
 dt   1 −1  x 
 =
 dy   −4 1  y 
 dt 

b) Find all eigenvalues and eigenvectors

Characteristic equation is λ 2 − (1 + 1) λ + ( (1)(1) − ( −1)( −4 ) ) =0
= λ 2 − 2λ − 3 = 0 ⇒ ( λ − 3)( λ + 1) = 0 ⇒ λ1 = 3, λ2 = −1.
An eigenvector corresponding to an eigenvalue λ is a nonzero vector
     x
V such= that AV λ= V . Let V   ,
 y
 1 −1  x   x
then for λ1 = 3, we have    = 3  y
 −4 1   y   
  1 −1  x   x
and     = 3   is equivalent to the system
 −4 1  y   y
=x − y 3x −2=x− y 0
or .
−4 x =
+ y 3y −4 x −=2y 0

The second equation is twice the first equation, so that we really only have one
equation, which we can write as y = −2 x. Therefore any nonzero vector of
 x  1
the form    −2  is an eigenvector corresponding to the eigenvalue λ1 3.
x=
 −2 x   
 1
Set x = 1 for simplicity to get the representative eigenvector V1 =  
 −2 
  x  1 −1  x  x
For λ2 = −1, let V2 =
 y  . We have  −4   y =( −1)   which is equivalent
   1   y
to the system
x− y = −x 2x − y = 0
or .
−4 x + y =−y −4 x + 2 y = 0
Once again we have only one equation, which we can write as y = 2 x.
x 1 
Therefore, any nonzero vector of the form   = x   is an eigenvector
2 x  2
 1 
corresponding to the eigenvalue λ2 = −1. Again, set x = 1 to get V2 =
2 .
 
c) Find the general solution to the linear system.
The general solution is
 1 1 
= Y ( t ) k1e3t   + k2e−t  
 −2  2
d) Classify the equilibrium point at the origin.
Since the eigenvalues are of opposite sign, the equilibrium point at the
origin is a saddle.
 d 2x dx π  π 
2) Solve the scalar initial-value problem 2 − 4 + 20
= x 0, x  =  0, x ′ =  1.
dt dt 2
  2
 
DO NOT convert to a vector equation!

Solution: The characteristic equation is λ 2 − 4λ + 20 =

0 and so
4 ± 16 − 80
λ= =2 ± 4i ⇒ x ( t ) =e2t ( c1 cos 4t + c2 sin 4t ) .
2
Now applying the initial conditions:
π 
x   =0 ⇒ c1 =0 and since
2
e 2t ( −4c1 sin 4t + 4c2 cos 4t ) + 2e2t ( c1 cos 4t + c2 sin 4t ) ,
x′ ( t ) =
π  1
x′   =1 ⇒ c2 = e−π .
2 4
1
Therefore, x ( t ) = e2t −π sin 4t.
4
 dx
= 4x − 3y
dt
3) Consider the linear system .
dy
= 8x − 6 y
dt
a) Find the eigenvalues of the system
b) Find the eigenvectors corresponding to the eigenvalues in part a).
c) Find the general solution for the system.
d) Classify the equilibrium point at the origin.
 dx
= 4x − 3y
dt
Solution: We can write the system as
dy
= 8x − 6 y
dt
 dx 
 dt   4 −3  x 
 =
dy 8 −6   y .
    
 dt 

a) Find the eigenvalues of the system.

The characteristic equation is λ 2 + 2λ= λ ( λ + 2 )= 0 so the eigenvalues of
the system are λ = 0 and λ = −2.
b) Find the eigenvectors corresponding to the eigenvalues in part a).
 4 −3  x   x  0 
For λ 0, we must have 
= =  y (=
0 )     , which is equivalent to
 8 −6    y  0 
the system
4x − 3y =0 4
or y = x. This means that the eigenvectors
8x − 6 y =
0 3
 x  1
corresponding to λ 0= must have the form  4  x  4  . For a
 x  
3  3
 3
representative eigenvector pick x = 3 to give the eigenvector V1 =   .
4
  4 −3  x   x   −2 x 
For λ = −2, we must have  ( −2 )   =
  y =  −2 y  , which is equivalent to
 8 −6   y
   
the system
4x − 3y =−2 x 6x − 3y = 0
or and we have the single
8x − 6 y =
−2 y 8x − 4 y =0
equation y = 2 x. This means that the eigenvectors
x 1 
corresponding to λ = −2 must have the form   = x   . For a
2 x  2
 1 
representative
= eigenvector pick x 1=
to give the eigenvector V2   .
2
c) Find the general solution for the system.
The general solution is
   3 −2t  1 
Y (t ) = 0t −2t
k1e V1 + k2e V2 = k1   + k2e   .
4 2

d) Classify the equilibrium point at the origin.

4
The origin is a sink. Also, every point on the line y = x is an
3
equilibrium point. Every equilibrium point, except the origin, is
a node.
 
dY  1 1 
4) Consider the linear system = Y.
dt  −3 −1
a) Find the eigenvalues.
b) Find the eigenvectors.
c) Find the general solution.
 
dY  1 1 
Solution: The linear system is =  Y.
dt  −3 −1
a) Find the eigenvalues.
The characteristic equation is λ 2 + 2 =0 ⇒ λ1 = 2i, λ2 =− 2i.
Thus the eigenvalues are purely imaginary (no real part).
b) Find the eigenvectors.
The corresponding complex eigenvectors are:


V1 x
( =
)
 −1 − 2i / 3 
 and V2 x 
(
 −1 + 2i / 3 )
 , x ≠ 0.
 1   1 

 1  2 
Taking
=

x 1 in V1 gives 
 ( )=
−
  +i
−
−1 − 2i / 3  3   3 
.
 1   1  
   0 
c) Find the general solution.
 1   2  
 −  − 
Our complex solution is of
= the form Y ( t ) exp ( )  3
2it    + i 
3  
  1  0  
   
    
 1   2  
−  − 
{  3
}
cos 2t + i sin 2t    + i 
=
3  
  1  0  
   
    
Multiplying gives
 1   2  
−  − 
{ }
 3
cos 2t + i sin 2t    + i 
3  
  1  0  
   
    

 1  2   1  2 
− 3  −   − 3  − 
( )
=cos 2t   − sin 2t 
 1 
( 3
) 
( ) (
 + i  sin 2t   + cos 2t 
   1 
) 3   .

   0      0 
    
To get two linearly independent real solutions for the system we take the real
and imaginary parts of this complex solution. This gives the general solution

  1  2 
  − 3  − 
Y (t ) (
)  1
(
k1  cos 2t   − sin 2t 

)3 

    0 
  

  1  2 
 − 3  − 
( ) (
+ k2  sin 2t   + cos 2t 
  1 
3
)
 .

    0 
  
 dx
= 2x − y
dt
5) Given the system ,
dy
=− x + y
dt

a) Compute the eigenvalues.

b) For each eigenvalue, find the associated

eigenvector.

c) For each eigenvalue, specify a straight-line solution.

d) Find the general solution.

5) Solution
a) Compute the eigenvalues.
The characteristic polynomial is ( 2 − λ )(1 − λ ) − 1 =0
3+ 5 3− 5
or λ 2 − 3λ + 1 = 0 ⇒ λ1 = , λ2 =
2 2
b) For each eigenvalue, find the associated
eigenvector.
  x1  3+ 5
To obtain the eigenvectors
= V1 =  for λ1 ,
 y1  2
we solve the system
3+ 5
2 x1 − y1 = x1
2 1− 5
⇒ y1 = x1
3+ 5 2
− x1 + y1 = y1
2
  x1   1 
  x1    x   . Set=
So=V1 =  1 − 5 = 1 − 5 x1 2
 y1    x1  1  
 2   2 
  2 
and then V1 =  
1 − 5 

3− 5
Then, using the same procedure for λ2 = ,
2
  2 
we have the associated eigenvector V2 =  .
1 + 5 
5) Solution
c) For each eigenvalue, specify a straight-line solution.
The straight − line solutions are

  3+ 5    2    3− 5    2 
Y1 ( t ) =exp    t  ⋅   and Y2 ( t ) =exp    t  ⋅  
 2  2
   1 − 5    1 + 5
 d) Find the general solution.
  
The general solution is =Y ( t ) k1Y1 ( t ) + k2Y2 ( t ) ,
or finally,
  3+ 5    2   3− 5    2 
Y ( t ) k1 exp  
=  t  ⋅ 1 −  + k2 exp    t  ⋅ 
 ,
 2 5 2
       1 + 5

where k1 and k2 are arbitrary constants.

 
dY  a 1 
6) Consider the two-parameter family of linear systems =  Y.
dt  b 1
a) Find the eigenvalues as functions of a and b.

The eigenvalues are roots of λ 2 − ( a + 1) λ + a − b =0, which are

2 2 2
a +1 ( −1) ( a + 1) − 4 (a − b) a +1 ( a − 1)
+ 4b
λ= ± = ± .
2 2 2 2
2
So the eigenvalues are complex if ( a − 1) + 4b < 0,
2 2
repeated if (=
a − 1) + 4b 0, and real if ( a − 1) + 4b > 0.
b) What are the conditions on a and b guaranteeing that the equilibrium
point at the origin is:

a spiral sink?
2
Must have ( a − 1) + 4b < 0 and the real part of the eigenvalues is
a +1
. So if a < −1 we have a spiral sink at the origin.
2
a spiral source?
2
Must have ( a − 1) + 4b < 0 and the real part of the eigenvalues is
a +1
. So if a > −1 we have a spiral source at the origin.
2

a center?
2
Must have ( a − 1) + 4b < 0 and the real part of the eigenvalues is
a +1
. So if a = −1 we have a center at the origin.
2
 a saddle?
2
Must have ( a − 1) + 4b > 0 and the eigenvalues must be of opposite
2
sign. Let D =a − b. If ( a − 1) + 4b > 0 and a < b or D < 0,
we have a saddle at the origin.

2
The regions between
= the line a b and the parabola
= ( a − 1) + 4b 0 give the
places where we have sinks or sources with real eigenvalues.

a sink?
If a < −1 in this region, then both eigenvalues are negative and we have
a sink.
a source?
If a > −1 in this region, then both eigenvalues are positive and we have
a source.
 
dY  5 4  
7) Consider the linear system =  Y.
dt  9 0 
a) Find the eigenvalues for the system.
b) For each eigenvalue, compute the associated eigenvectors.
c) For each eigenvalue, specify a corresponding straight-line solutiom.
d) Find the general solution for the system.
e) Classify the equilibrium point at the origin. Justify your answer.
 
dY  5 4  
Solution. Consider the linear system =  Y.
dt  9 0 
a) Find the eigenvalues for the system.

The characteristic polynomial is ( 5 − λ )( −λ ) − 36 =0 ⇒ λ 2 − 5λ − 36 =0

λ 2 − 5λ − 36 =0 ⇒ ( λ − 9 )( λ + 4 ) =0 and so the eigenvalues are λ1 =
−4, λ2 =
9.
b) For each eigenvalue, compute an associated eigenvector.

  x1 
For λ1 = −4, let V1 =  y  be the associated eigenvector. We solve the system
 1
5 x1 + 4 y1 = −4 x1 4
of equations to obtain 9 x1 = −4 y1 ⇒ x1 =
− y1 and
9 x1 = −4 y1 9
4  4
  − y1  −
V1 =  9  = y1  9  . Pick y1 = −9 to get the representative eigenvector
   
y
 1   1 
 4
V1 =   .
 −9 
  x2 
Using the same procedure =for λ2 9= and V2   , we = get y2 x2 .
y
 2
  x2   x2  1  1
So=V2 =  =  x2   . Pick=
x2 1 and= V2   .
y x
 2  2 1 1
c) For each eigenvalue, specify a corresponding straight-line solution.

  −4t  4 
For λ1 =−4, the straight-line solution is Y1 ( t ) = −4t
e ⋅ V1 =e  .
 −9 

  9t 1
2 9, the straight-line solution is Y2 ( =
t ) e ⋅ V2 = e   .
9t
For λ=
1
d) Find the general solution for the system.

   −4t  4  9t 1
The general solution is Y ( t ) =k1Y1 ( t ) + k2Y2 ( t ) =k1e   + k2e   .
 −9  1

e) Classify the equilibrium point at the origin. Justify your answer.

Since the eigenvalues have opposite signs, the origin is a saddle point.
 
dY  0 1 
8) Given the linear system =  Y
dt  −1 −2 
a) Find the eigenvalues
b) Find the associated eigenvectors
c) Find the general solution
 1 
d) Find the particular solution for the initial condition Y0 =  
0 
 
dY  0 1 
Solution. Consider the linear system = Y.
dt  −1 −2 
a) Find the eigenvalues for the system.

2
The characteristic polynomial is λ 2 + 2λ + 1 = 0 ⇒ ( λ + 1) = 0
so the eigenvalues are λ1 = λ2 = −1. We have the repeated eigenvalue case.
   x0 
b) For λ1 =−1, let V0 =  y  be an arbitrary initial condition. Then by our
 0
   
theorem, the general solution has the form Y ( t ) = e ⋅ V0 + te ⋅ V1 where V1
λt λt
  
is determined from V0 by V= 1 ( A − λ I ) V0 .

  0 1 1 0      0 1 1 0    x0 
We have
= V1  
−1 −2  − λ 0 1   V=
0 ⇒ V1  
−1 −2  − λ 0 1    y 
        0
so
  0 1 1 0    x0    0 1 1 0    x0 
=V1    − ( )
−1  =
 
y
⇒ V1   + y 
 −1 −2   0 1  0  −1 −2   0 1  0
   1 1  x0   x0 + y0 
V1 =    
 −1 −1  y0   − x0 − y0 

The general solution is

−t  x0  −t  x0 + y0 

Y ( t ) =e ⋅   + te ⋅  
y
 0 −
 0 x − y0
 0 1 1 0    x0    0 1 1 0    x0 

−1 −2  − ( −1) 0 1    y=  ⇒ V1  
−1 −2  + 0 1    y 
    0     0

  1 1  x0   x0 + y0 
V1 =   y  − x − y 
 −1 −1 0  0 0

 1 
Our initial condition is Y0 =   and the particular solution is
0

 1   1
Y ( t ) = e−t ⋅   + te−t ⋅  
0   −1
9) For the following system,
a) Find all the equilibria in the first quadrant. x, y ≥ 0
b) Find the linearized system near each of the equilibria
c) Classify all the equilibria
dx
= x ( −4 x − y + 160 )
dt
dy
dt
(
= y − x 2 − y 2 + 2500 )
Solution 9) For the following system,
a) Find all the equilibria
dx
= x ( −4 x − y + 160 ) = 0
dt
Set
dy
dt
(
= y − x 2 − y 2 + 2500 = 0 )
to get the equilibrium points in the first quadrant
( 0, 0 ) , ( 0,50 ) , ( 40, 0 ) , ( 30, 40 )
 b) and c) Find the linearized system near each of the equilibria
 −8 x − y + 160 −x 
The Jacobian matrix is J =  
 −2 xy − x 2 − 3 y 2 + 2500 
Evaluating this matrix at each of the equilibria:
160 0 
=J ( 0,0)  = ⇒ λ 160, 2500. So ( 0, 0 ) is a source.
0 2500 

110 0 
J ( 0,50)=  ⇒ λ= 110, −5000. So ( 0,50 ) is a saddle.
0 −5000 

 −160 −40 
J ( 40,0)= 
0 900  ⇒ λ= 900, −160. So ( 40, 0 ) is a saddle.
 

 −120 −30 
=J (30,40) 
−2400 −3200  ⇒ λ ≈ −97, −3223. So ( 30, 40 ) is a sink.
 
 dx
= x (2 − x − y)
dt
10) Given the system , with x, y ≥ 0.
dy
(
= y y − x2
dt
)
a) Sketch the nullclines
b) Sketch the phase portrait
c) Briefly describe the possible behaviors of solutions