Strogatz NDC 2e: Exercise 2.2.

1 Page 1 of 3

Exercise 2.2.1
Analyze the following equations graphically. In each case, sketch the vector field on the real line,
find all the fixed points, classify their stability, and sketch the graph of x(t) for different initial
conditions. Then try for a few minutes to obtain the analytical solution for x(t); if you get stuck,
don’t try for too long since in several cases it’s impossible to solve the equation in closed form!

ẋ = 4x2 − 16

Solution

The fixed points of the flow occur where ẋ = 0.

4x∗2 − 16 = 0

4(x∗2 − 4) = 0

4(x∗ + 2)(x∗ − 2) = 0

x∗ = {−2, 2}

Plot the graph of ẋ versus x to determine whether each is stable or unstable.

When the function is negative the flow moves to the left, and when the function is positive the
flow moves to the right. Therefore, x∗ = −2 is locally stable, and x∗ = 2 is locally unstable.

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Strogatz NDC 2e: Exercise 2.2.1 Page 2 of 3

A qualitative sketch of x versus t is shown for various initial conditions, in particular, x(0) > 2,
0 < x(0) < 2, −2 < x(0) < 0, and x(0) < −2.

The aim now is to solve the following initial value problem.

dx
= 4x2 − 16, x(0) = x0
dt
Solve the ODE by separating variables and using partial fraction decomposition.
dx
= 4 dt
x2 −4
ˆ ˆ
1
dx = 4 dt
(x + 2)(x − 2)
ˆ ! ˆ
− 14 1
4
+ dx = 4 dt
x+2 x−2

1 1
− ln |x + 2| + ln |x − 2| = 4t + C
4 4
 
1  x − 2 
ln = 4t + C (1)
4 x + 2

Now apply the initial condition to determine C.

 
1  x0 − 2 
ln =C
4  x0 + 2 

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Strogatz NDC 2e: Exercise 2.2.1 Page 3 of 3

As a result, equation (1) becomes

   
1  x − 2  1  x0 − 2 
ln = 4t + ln 
4 x + 2 4 x0 + 2 
 
1  x − 2 x0 + 2 
ln · = 4t
4  x + 2 x0 − 2 
 
 x − 2 x0 + 2 
ln  ·  = 16t
x + 2 x0 − 2 
 
 x − 2 x0 + 2  16t
 x + 2 · x0 − 2  = e
 

x − 2 x0 + 2
· = ±e16t .
x + 2 x0 − 2
The plus sign is chosen so that when t = 0 and x = x0 , the equation is a true statement.
x − 2 x0 + 2
· = e16t
x + 2 x0 − 2
x−2 x0 − 2 16t
= e
x+2 x0 + 2
x0 − 2 16t x0 − 2 16t
x−2=x e +2 e
x0 + 2 x0 + 2
   
x0 − 2 16t x0 − 2 16t
x 1− e =2 1+ e
x0 + 2 x0 + 2

x0 + 2 − (x0 − 2)e16t x0 + 2 + (x0 − 2)e16t

x =2
x0 + 2 x0 + 2
Therefore,
2[x0 + 2 + (x0 − 2)e16t ]
x(t) = .
x0 + 2 − (x0 − 2)e16t

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