Section 3.4 Complex Eigenvalues
ΒΆ
Subsection 3.4.1 Complex Eigenvalues
ΒΆSuppose that we have the systemExample 3.4.2.
Consider the initial value problem
The eigenvalues of this system are Ξ»=Β±2i. Therefore, the general solution to the system is
Using the initial conditions to solve for c1 and c2, the solution to our initial value problem is
The phase portrait is a circle of radius 2 about the origin (Figure 3.4.3).

Subsection 3.4.2 Spiral Sinks and Sources
ΒΆNow let us consider the system xβ²=Ax, whereExample 3.4.4.
Consider the initial value problem
The matrix
has eigenvalues Ξ»=β1/10Β±i. The eigenvalue Ξ»=β1/10+i has an eigenvector v=(1,i). The complex solution of our system is
The real and imaginary parts of this solution are
respectively. Thus, we have the general solution
Applying our initial conditions, we can determine that c1=2 and c2=2; hence, the solution to our initial value problem is
The phase portrait of this solution indicates that we do indeed have a spiral sink (Figure 3.4.5).

Example 3.4.6.
The initial value problem
The matrix
has an eigenvector (1,βi) with eigenvalue Ξ»=1/10βi. Thus, the complex solution is
Following the procedure that we used in the previous example, the solution to our initial value problem is
and he phase portrait is a spiral source (Figure 3.4.7).

Subsection 3.4.3 Solving Systems with Complex Eigenvalues
ΒΆSuppose that we have the linear system xβ²=Ax, whereExample 3.4.8.
The system xβ²=Ax, where
The characteristic polynomial of A is Ξ»2β2Ξ»+5 and so the eigenvalues are complex conjugates, Ξ»=1+2i and Β―Ξ»=1β2i. It is easy to show that an eigenvector for Ξ»=1+2i is v=(1,β1βi). Recalling that eiΞΈ=cosΞΈ+isinΞΈ,
is a complex solution to our system. Taking the real and imaginary parts of this solution, we obtain the general solution to our system
Subsection 3.4.4 Important Lessons
ΒΆ- IfA=(Ξ±Ξ²βΞ²Ξ±),then A has two complex eigenvalues, Ξ»=Ξ±Β±iΞ². The general solution to the system xβ²=Ax isx(t)=c1eΞ±t(cosΞ²tβsinΞ²t)+c2eΞ±t(sinΞ²tcosΞ²t).If Ξ±<0, the equilibrium point is a spiral sink. If Ξ±>0, the equilibrium point is a spiral source.
Reading Questions 3.4.5 Reading Questions
ΒΆ1.
When are two complex numbers equal?
2.
What is Euler's formula?
3.
For a 2Γ2 linear system with distinct real eigenvalues, what are the three different possibilities for the phase plane of the system?
Exercises 3.4.6 Exercises
ΒΆSolving Linear Systems with Complex Eigenvalues
Solving Initial Value Problems
9.
Consider the linear system dx/dt=Ax, where
Suppose the initial conditions for the solution curve are x(0)=1 and y(0)=1. We can use the following Sage code to plot the phase portrait of this system, including a solution curve.
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x, y, t = var('x y t') #declare the variables
F = [3*x + 2*y, -3*x - y] #declare the system
# normalize the vector fields so that all of the arrows are the same length
n = sqrt(F[0]^2 + F[1]^2)
# plot the vector field
p = plot_vector_field((F[0]/n, F[1]/n), (x, -30, 30), (y, -30, 30), aspect_ratio = 1)
# solve the system for the initial condition t = 0, x = 1, y = 1
P1 = desolve_system_rk4(F, [x, y], ics=[0, 1, 1], ivar = t, end_points = 5, step = 0.01)
# grab the x and y values
S1 = [ [j, k] for i, j, k in P1]
# plot the solution
# Setting xmin, xmax, ymin, ymax will clip the window
# Try plotting without doing this to see what happens
p += line(S1, thickness = 2, axes_labels=['$x(t)$','$y(t)$'], xmin = -30, xmax = 30, ymin = -30, ymax = 30)
p
Use Sage to graph the direction field for the system linear systems dx/dt=Ax in Exercise Group 3.4.6.5β8. Plot the solution curve for the given initial condition.