2.II.7B
Part IA, 2004
Show how a second-order differential equation may be transformed into a pair of coupled first-order equations. Explain what is meant by a critical point on the phase diagram for a pair of first-order equations. Hence find the critical points of the following equations. Describe their stability type, sketching their behaviour near the critical points on a phase diagram.
Sketch the phase portraits of these equations marking clearly the direction of flow.