Systems of Differential Equations

Coupled first-order systems, elimination methods, matrix form, and phase-plane ideas for linear and nonlinear systems.

These practice problems are about systems of ordinary differential equations: two or more unknown functions tied together by their derivatives. You will eliminate to a single higher-order equation, solve a linear system from its eigenvalues, and read equilibria in the phase plane. The set assumes you can already solve one second-order linear equation. Each solution shows the reduction or the eigen-calculation in full.

Elimination Methods turns a linear system into one equation you already know how to solve, then recovers the remaining unknown functions. Matrix Methods uses eigenvalues and eigenvectors for a constant-coefficient system written in vector form. Phase-Plane Analysis covers equilibria, the local picture for a linear system, and the first qualitative questions for a simple nonlinear system.

If elimination feels heavy, review Second-Order Differential Equations first, and First-Order Differential Equations if a single equation is still the right starting point. The phase-plane pictures here are made precise in Stability in Differential Equations, which is the harder follow-up.

Problem 1
Hard Elimination Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \frac{dy}{dx} = y + z + x,\qquad \frac{dz}{dx} = -4y - 3z + 2x $$
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Problem 2
Hard Elimination Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \frac{dx}{dt} = x + 2y + t,\qquad \frac{dy}{dt} = 2x + y + t $$
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Problem 3
Hard Elimination Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x = y - 2e^{t},\qquad \dot y = x + t^2 $$
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Problem 4
Hard Elimination Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x = y - 5\cos t,\qquad \dot y = 2x + y $$
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Problem 5
Easy Elimination Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \frac{dx}{dt} = y + z,\qquad \frac{dy}{dt} = x + z,\qquad \frac{dz}{dt} = x + y $$
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Problem 6
Medium Elimination Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \frac{dy}{dx} = 1 - \frac{1}{z},\qquad \frac{dz}{dx} = \frac{1}{y-x} $$
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Problem 7
Easy Elimination Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \frac{d^2y}{dx^2} = z,\qquad \frac{d^2z}{dx^2} = y $$
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Problem 8
Medium Elimination Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \ddot x = 2y,\qquad \ddot y = -2x $$
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Problem 9
Medium Elimination Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \ddot x + x = \dot y,\qquad 4\dot x + 2x = \dot y + 2y,\quad x(0)=0,\ y(0)=1,\ \dot x(0)=2 $$
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Problem 10
Medium Elimination Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \ddot x + \dot y + x = e^t,\qquad \dot x + \ddot y = 1 $$
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Problem 11
Hard Elimination Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ 2\ddot x+2\dot x+x+3\ddot y+\dot y+y=0,\qquad \ddot x+4\dot x-x+3\ddot y+2\dot y-y=0 $$
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Problem 12
Hard Elimination Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ 6\ddot x-3\dot x+6x+\dot y=t,\qquad \dot x+8x+y=0,\quad x(0)=\tfrac{11}{36},\ y(0)=-\tfrac{22}{9},\ \dot x(0)=\tfrac16 $$
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Problem 13
Medium Elimination Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \ddot x = 3x + 4\dot y,\qquad \ddot y = 3y + 4\dot x,\quad x(0)=2,\ y(0)=2,\ \dot x(0)=0,\ \dot y(0)=0 $$
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Problem 14
Hard Elimination Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ 5\ddot x+5x+3\ddot y+3y+8\ddot z+8z=0,\quad \ddot x+4x+3\ddot y+12y+3\ddot z+12z=0,\quad \ddot x-2x-2\ddot y-11y-9z=0 $$
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Problem 15
Easy Elimination Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \frac{dx}{1} = \frac{dy}{y+z} = \frac{dz}{x+y+z} $$
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Problem 16
Easy Elimination Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \frac{dx}{dt} = y,\qquad \frac{dy}{dt} = x $$
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Problem 17
Easy Elimination Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \frac{dx}{dt} = \frac{y}{y-x},\qquad \frac{dy}{dt} = \frac{x}{y-x} $$
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Problem 18
Medium Elimination Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x = x(y^2-z^2),\qquad \dot y = -y(x^2+z^2),\qquad \dot z = z(x^2+y^2) $$
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Problem 19
Easy Elimination Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x = y - z,\qquad \dot y = x^2 + y,\qquad \dot z = x^2 + z $$
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Problem 20
Medium Elimination Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \frac{dx}{y-z} = \frac{dy}{z-x} = \frac{dz}{y-x} $$
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Problem 21
Easy Elimination Methods
Solve by finding first integrals the symmetric system: $$ \frac{dx}{xz} = \frac{dy}{yz} = \frac{dz}{-xy} $$
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Problem 22
Easy Elimination Methods
Solve by finding first integrals the symmetric system: $$ \frac{dx}{y+z} = \frac{dy}{x+z} = \frac{dz}{x+y} $$
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Problem 23
Medium Elimination Methods
Solve by finding first integrals the symmetric four-variable system: $$ \frac{dx}{y-u} = \frac{dy}{z-x} = \frac{dz}{u-y} = \frac{du}{x-z} $$
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Problem 24
Medium Elimination Methods
Solve by finding first integrals the symmetric system: $$ \frac{dx}{x+y^2+z^2} = \frac{dy}{y} = \frac{dz}{z} $$
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Problem 25
Medium Elimination Methods
Solve by finding first integrals the symmetric system: $$ \frac{dx}{x(y+z)} = \frac{dy}{z(z-y)} = \frac{dz}{y(y-z)} $$
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Problem 26
Easy Elimination Methods
Solve by finding first integrals the symmetric system: $$ \frac{dx}{-x^2} = \frac{dy}{xy-2z^2} = \frac{dz}{xz} $$
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Problem 27
Easy Elimination Methods
Solve by finding first integrals the symmetric system: $$ \frac{dx}{x(y^2-z^2)} = \frac{dy}{-y(z^2+x^2)} = \frac{dz}{z(x^2+y^2)} $$
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Problem 28
Easy Elimination Methods
Solve by finding first integrals the symmetric system: $$ \frac{dx}{x} = \frac{dy}{y} = \frac{dz}{z - \sqrt{x^2+y^2+z^2}} $$
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Problem 29
Medium Elimination Methods
Solve by finding first integrals the system: $$ \frac{dx}{dt} = \frac{x-y}{z-t},\qquad \frac{dy}{dt} = \frac{x-y}{z-t},\qquad \frac{dz}{dt} = x-y+1 $$
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Problem 30
Easy Elimination Methods
Solve by finding first integrals the symmetric system: $$ \frac{dx}{y(x+y)} = \frac{dy}{-x(x+y)} = \frac{dz}{-(x-y)(2x+2y+z)} $$
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Problem 31
Hard Matrix Methods
Solve the symmetric system, subject to the given initial data: $$ \frac{dx}{x^2-yz} = \frac{dy}{y^2-yz} = \frac{dz}{z(x+y)},\qquad y=1,\ z=-1\ \text{at }x=0 $$
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Problem 32
Medium Matrix Methods
Verify whether the following candidate functions are first integrals of the symmetric system: $$ \frac{dx}{x} = \frac{dy}{-y} = \frac{dz}{z};\qquad \text{test } \Phi_1=\frac{x+y}{z+x},\ \ \Phi_2=\frac{z-y}{x+y} $$
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Problem 33
Medium Matrix Methods
Substance $A$ (initial amount $a$) decomposes into products $P$ and $Q$, whose amounts $x(t),y(t)$ satisfy: $$ \frac{dx}{dt} = k_1(a-x-y),\qquad \frac{dy}{dt} = k_2(a-x-y) $$
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Problem 34
Medium Matrix Methods
A bacterial population $N(t)$ grows while producing a poison $Q(t)$ that kills it back, according to: $$ \dot N = N(\alpha-\beta Q),\qquad \dot Q = \gamma N $$
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Problem 35
Medium Matrix Methods
A particle moves under a force directed away from the $Oz$ axis, proportional to its distance $\rho=\sqrt{x^2+y^2}$ from that axis, giving Newton's equations: $$ \ddot x = kx,\qquad \ddot y = ky,\qquad \ddot z = 0 $$
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Problem 36
Hard Matrix Methods
Two inductively coupled loops (self-inductances $L_1,L_2$, mutual inductance $M$, resistances $R_1,R_2$) are connected to a constant EMF $E$, with zero initial currents. Find $i_1(t)$ and $i_2(t)$: $$ L_1\frac{di_1}{dt} + M\frac{di_2}{dt} + R_1 i_1 = E,\qquad M\frac{di_1}{dt} + L_2\frac{di_2}{dt} + R_2 i_2 = 0 $$
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Problem 37
Easy Matrix Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \frac{dx_1}{dt} = 2x_1 - x_2,\qquad \frac{dx_2}{dt} = x_1 $$
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Problem 38
Easy Matrix Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \frac{dx_1}{dt} = x_1 - x_2,\qquad \frac{dx_2}{dt} = x_1 + 3x_2 $$
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Problem 39
Easy Matrix Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \frac{dx_1}{dt} = x_1 - 5x_2,\qquad \frac{dx_2}{dt} = 2x_1 - x_2 $$
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Problem 40
Easy Matrix Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \frac{dx_1}{dt} = x_1-x_2+x_3,\qquad \frac{dx_2}{dt} = x_1+x_2-x_3,\qquad \frac{dx_3}{dt} = 2x_1-x_2 $$
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Problem 41
Medium Matrix Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x_1=x_1-x_2-x_3,\qquad \dot x_2=x_1+x_2,\qquad \dot x_3=3x_1+x_3 $$
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Problem 42
Medium Matrix Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x_1=4x_1-x_2,\qquad \dot x_2=3x_1+x_2-x_3,\qquad \dot x_3=x_1+x_3 $$
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Problem 43
Easy Matrix Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x_1=x_2+x_3,\qquad \dot x_2=x_1+x_3,\qquad \dot x_3=x_1+x_2 $$
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Problem 44
Easy Matrix Methods
Solve the initial value problem: $$ \dot x=-x+y+z,\qquad \dot y=x-y+z,\qquad \dot z=x+y+z,\qquad x(0)=1,\ y(0)=0,\ z(0)=0 $$
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Problem 45
Medium Matrix Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x=2x+y-2z-t+2,\qquad \dot y=1-x,\qquad \dot z=x+y-z-t+1 $$
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Problem 46
Easy Matrix Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x=3x-4y+e^{-2t},\qquad \dot y=x-2y-3e^{-2t} $$
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Problem 47
Easy Matrix Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x=x+2y,\qquad \dot y=x-5\sin t $$
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Problem 48
Easy Matrix Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x=x+y+1+e^t,\qquad \dot y=3x-y $$
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Problem 49
Easy Matrix Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x=4x-3y+\sin t,\qquad \dot y=2x-y-2\cos t $$
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Problem 50
Medium Matrix Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x=2x+y+2e^t,\qquad \dot y=x+2y-3e^{4t} $$
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Problem 51
Easy Matrix Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x=x-y+8t,\qquad \dot y=5x-y $$
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Problem 52
Easy Matrix Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x=3x-\tfrac12 y-3t^2-\tfrac12 t+\tfrac32,\qquad \dot y=2y-2t-1 $$
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Problem 53
Medium Matrix Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x=-x+2y,\qquad \dot y=-3x+4y+\frac{e^{3t}}{e^{2t}+1} $$
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Problem 54
Medium Matrix Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x=-4x-2y+\frac{2}{e^t-1},\qquad \dot y=6x+3y-\frac{3}{e^t-1} $$
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Problem 55
Medium Matrix Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x=x-y+\sec t,\qquad \dot y=2x-y $$
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Problem 56
Easy Matrix Methods
Solve the initial value problem: $$ \dot x=3x+8y,\qquad \dot y=-x-3y,\qquad x(0)=6,\ y(0)=-2 $$
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Problem 57
Medium Matrix Methods
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x=3x-2y,\qquad \dot y=2x-y+15e^{t}\sqrt{t} $$
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Problem 58
Medium Matrix Methods
Solve the initial value problem: $$ \dot x=-4(x+y),\qquad \dot y=-y-\tfrac14\dot x,\qquad x(0)=1,\ y(0)=0 $$
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Problem 59
Medium Matrix Methods
Solve the initial value problem: $$ \dot x=x+y+t,\qquad \dot y=x-2y+2t,\qquad x(0)=-\tfrac79,\ y(0)=-\tfrac59 $$
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Problem 60
Hard Matrix Methods
Solve the initial value problem, in which the derivatives appear mixed together rather than isolated: $$ \dot x+2\dot y=17x+8y,\qquad 13\dot x-\dot y=53x+2y,\qquad x(0)=2,\ y(0)=1 $$
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Problem 61
Medium Phase-Plane Analysis
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ t\dot x-x-3y=t,\qquad t\dot y-x+y=0 $$
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Problem 62
Easy Phase-Plane Analysis
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ t\dot x+6x-y=0,\qquad t\dot y+20x-6y=0 $$
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Problem 63
Medium Phase-Plane Analysis
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x=y,\qquad \dot y=z,\qquad \dot z=x $$
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Problem 64
Medium Phase-Plane Analysis
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x=-x+y,\qquad \dot y=-y+4z,\qquad \dot z=x-4z $$
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Problem 65
Easy Phase-Plane Analysis
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x=x-2y-z,\qquad \dot y=-x+y+z,\qquad \dot z=x-z $$
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Problem 67
Easy Phase-Plane Analysis
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x=3x-y+z,\qquad \dot y=x+y+z,\qquad \dot z=4x-y+4z $$
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Problem 68
Easy Phase-Plane Analysis
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x=-3x+4y-2z,\qquad \dot y=x+z,\qquad \dot z=6x-6y+5z $$
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Problem 69
Hard Phase-Plane Analysis
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x=2x-y+2z,\qquad \dot y=x+2z,\qquad \dot z=-2x+y-z $$
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Problem 70
Medium Phase-Plane Analysis
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x=4x-y-z,\qquad \dot y=x+2y-z,\qquad \dot z=x-y+2z $$
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Problem 71
Medium Phase-Plane Analysis
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x=2x-y-z,\qquad \dot y=3x-2y-3z,\qquad \dot z=-x+y+2z $$
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Problem 72
Medium Phase-Plane Analysis
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x=-2x+y-2z,\qquad \dot y=x-2y+2z,\qquad \dot z=3x-3y+5z $$
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Problem 73
Medium Phase-Plane Analysis
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x=3x-2y-z,\qquad \dot y=3x-4y-3z,\qquad \dot z=2x-4y $$
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Problem 74
Hard Phase-Plane Analysis
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x=x-y+z,\qquad \dot y=x+y-z,\qquad \dot z=-y+2z $$
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Problem 75
Hard Phase-Plane Analysis
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x=-x+y-2z,\qquad \dot y=4x+y,\qquad \dot z=2x+y-z $$
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Problem 76
Easy Phase-Plane Analysis
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x=6x-72y+44z,\qquad \dot y=4x-43y+26z,\qquad \dot z=6x-63y+38z $$
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Problem 77
Easy Phase-Plane Analysis
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x=4y+z,\qquad \dot y=z,\qquad \dot z=4y $$
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Problem 78
Easy Phase-Plane Analysis
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x=y+z,\qquad \dot y=3x+z,\qquad \dot z=3x+y $$
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Problem 79
Medium Phase-Plane Analysis
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x=8y,\qquad \dot y=-2z,\qquad \dot z=2x+8y-2z $$
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Problem 80
Easy Phase-Plane Analysis
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x=-2x-2y-4z,\qquad \dot y=-2x+y-2z,\qquad \dot z=5x+2y+7z $$
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Problem 81
Hard Phase-Plane Analysis
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x=x+y+z,\qquad \dot y=y+z,\qquad \dot z=x $$
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Problem 82
Easy Phase-Plane Analysis
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x=2x-y+z,\qquad \dot y=x+z,\qquad \dot z=-3x+y-2z $$
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Problem 83
Hard Phase-Plane Analysis
Solve the system of differential equations: $$ \dot x=y-z-t+3,\qquad \dot y=7-2z,\qquad \dot z=2y-2t $$
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Problem 84
Medium Phase-Plane Analysis
Solve the Euler-type (equidimensional) system: $$ 3t\dot x=2x+y-z,\qquad 2t\dot y=x+3y+z,\qquad 6t\dot z=-x+7y+5z $$
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Problem 85
Hard Phase-Plane Analysis
Solve the non-homogeneous Euler-type system: $$ t\dot x=4x+y+2z-\sin t-2\cos t,\qquad t\dot y=-2x+y-2z-\sin t+2\cos t+t\cos t,\qquad t\dot z=-x-y+z+\sin t-\cos t-t\sin t $$
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