Chapter 5: Problem 9
Find the equilibria of $$x_{t+1}=4 x_{t}^{2}+x_{t}-1, \quad t=0,1,2, \ldots$$ and use the stability criterion for an equilibrium point to determine whether they are stable or unstable.
Short Answer
Expert verified
The equilibria are at \( x = \frac{1}{2} \) and \( x = -\frac{1}{2} \), both are unstable.
Step by step solution
01
Define Equilibrium Points
Equilibrium points occur where the system does not change in time, meaning \( x_{t+1} = x_t \). For the given equation \( x_{t+1} = 4x_t^2 + x_t - 1 \), setting \( x_{t+1} = x_t \) gives: \[ x_t = 4x_t^2 + x_t - 1. \] Simplifying it, we get the equation: \[ 4x_t^2 - 1 = 0. \]
02
Solve for Equilibrium Points
To find \( x_t \), solve the equation from Step 1: \[ 4x_t^2 - 1 = 0. \] Factor the left-hand side: \[ (2x_t - 1)(2x_t + 1) = 0. \] This gives solutions as \( 2x_t = 1 \) or \( 2x_t = -1 \). Therefore, the equilibrium points are \( x_t = \frac{1}{2} \) and \( x_t = -\frac{1}{2} \).
03
Determine Stability of Equilibrium Points
To determine stability, calculate the derivative \( f'(x) \) at each equilibrium point, where \( f(x) = 4x^2 + x - 1 \). The derivative is \( f'(x) = 8x + 1 \).
04
Calculate Stability at \( x = \frac{1}{2} \)
Substitute \( x = \frac{1}{2} \) into \( f'(x) \): \[ f'\left(\frac{1}{2}\right) = 8\left(\frac{1}{2}\right) + 1 = 4 + 1 = 5. \] Since \(|f'(x)| > 1\), the equilibrium at \( x = \frac{1}{2} \) is unstable.
05
Calculate Stability at \( x = -\frac{1}{2} \)
Substitute \( x = -\frac{1}{2} \) into \( f'(x) \): \[ f'\left(-\frac{1}{2}\right) = 8\left(-\frac{1}{2}\right) + 1 = -4 + 1 = -3. \] Since \(|f'(x)| > 1\), the equilibrium at \( x = -\frac{1}{2} \) is also unstable.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Understanding the Stability Criterion
In mathematics, the stability criterion is a method used to determine whether an equilibrium point, when perturbed, will return to its original state or not. In simpler terms, it checks if a system can balance itself if slightly adjusted.
The general rule is:
- Stable equilibrium points return to equilibrium after a disturbance.
- Unstable equilibrium points tend to move away from equilibrium when disturbed.
The general rule is:
- If \( |f'(x^*)| < 1 \), the system is stable at \( x^* \).
- If \( |f'(x^*)| > 1 \), the system is unstable at \( x^* \).
- If \( |f'(x^*)| = 1 \), the system's stability is inconclusive without further analysis.
Exploring Difference Equations
Difference equations are mathematical expressions that capture the relationship between a sequence of values. They are similar to differential equations but work over discrete, not continuous, points in time. The equation provided in the exercise, \( x_{t+1} = 4x_t^2 + x_t - 1 \), is an example of a first-order difference equation.
Key characteristics include:
Key characteristics include:
- A recurrence relation that connects different terms in the sequence.
- The sequence \( x_t \) usually evolves step by step based on a function, in this case, \( f(x_t) = 4x_t^2 + x_t - 1 \).
- Initial conditions (such as \( x_0 \)) are often needed to derive specific future values.
The Role of Derivative Calculation in Stability Analysis
Derivative calculation plays a pivotal role in our ability to determine the stability of an equilibrium point within a system. Given a function \( f(x) \) derived from a difference equation, its derivative \( f'(x) \) reveals how sensitive the system is to changes.
For the system defined by \( f(x) = 4x^2 + x - 1 \), the derivative is \( f'(x) = 8x + 1 \). Computing this derivative at the equilibrium points \( x = \frac{1}{2} \) and \( x = -\frac{1}{2} \) helps assess each point's stability:
By using derivatives, we not only identify the equilibrium points but also predict their long-term behavior.
For the system defined by \( f(x) = 4x^2 + x - 1 \), the derivative is \( f'(x) = 8x + 1 \). Computing this derivative at the equilibrium points \( x = \frac{1}{2} \) and \( x = -\frac{1}{2} \) helps assess each point's stability:
- Substitute \( x = \frac{1}{2} \) to find \( f'(\frac{1}{2}) = 5 \).
- Substitute \( x = -\frac{1}{2} \) to find \( f'(-\frac{1}{2}) = -3 \).
By using derivatives, we not only identify the equilibrium points but also predict their long-term behavior.