3/16 limit cycles in R^2: examples in polar coordinates, stable
and unstable l
limit cycles
HW6: 8.2/8.3: 4,5(a), 9 8.4:2 (due 3/28)
3/19, 3/21, 3/23: SPRING BREAK
3/26: topological methods I- index of a simple closed curve and at an isolated singularity
3/28: examples involving indices; comments on HW6
3/30: alpha- and omega-limit sets. Transversal sections. Poincare'-Bendixson theorem
4/2: Poincare-Bendixson theorem: statment, examples
4/4: van der Pol-type systems: introduction
4/6: van der Pol systems: proof of Lienard's theorem, estimates of period and amplitude (handout)
4/9: Lienard's theorem (generalization); stability criterion for periodic
slns; divergence criterion for
non-existence of periodic slns. Handout (problems)
4/11: Exam
3-problems
Exam
3-solutions
4/13: EASTER HOLIDAY
4/16: Area-preserving flows in R^2 and divergence-free vector fields
(Liouville's theorem)
(section
8.6) HW7: 5(a)(c),6,7 (due 4/23)
4/18: Conservative v.f's in R^2 are Hamiltonian. Examples: potential
motion on
the line, Duffing's equation