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What are the fixed points of

$ θ'=1-a\sinθ $

$\text{what type of bifurcation occurs at } a=1, \;\;\;θ=π/2 $

Solution:

$ 1/a=\sinθ \text{ or } θ=\arcsin(1/a) $

I cant seem to find the proper fixed points after this step

1 Answers 1

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You don't need to find any fixed points analytically to get the answer you are seeking.

Plot the function $ a=\frac{1}{\sin \theta} $ in the interval $(\pi/2-\varepsilon,\pi/2+\varepsilon)$. Fixing $a=\hat{a}$ gets you an idea about the number of fixed points and their types (this is called bifurcation diagram).

Note that if $a>1$ then you have two fixed points, one is stable and another is unstable. If $a<1$ then you have no fixed points, the two above approached each other and collapsed. This should be known to you as a saddle-node, or tangent, or fold bifurcation.