1

Spotlight on Slope Fields I

Reference: Sections 2.3, 2.4, and 2.7; Example 2.4.1.
Slope fields are a useful tool in the hands of a qualitative analyst. Other useful tools are the Existence and Uniqueness Theorem 2.3.1 and the Extension Theorem 2.7.1. These tools are valuable aids in visualizing the solution curves of a firstorder ODE without the use of solution formulas. Heres an example.

FIGURE 1 Slope field for

y0 = t y2 with parabolic
nullcline and four solution curves.

EXAMPLE 1

Using a Slope Field to Visualize Solution Curves

Lets visualize the solution curves of the ODE y 0 = t y2 by creating and analyzing a
slope field for it. Denoting the rate function t y 2 by f (t, y), we see that the nullcline
for this ODE is the parabola f (t, y) = t y2 = 0 in the ty-plane. See the dashed
curve in Figure 1. Notice that f (t, y) > 0 for all points (t, y) inside the parabola and
f (t, y) < 0 outside the parabola. While a solution curve is inside the parabola, it must
rise for increasing t, and while a solution curve is outside the parabola, it must fall for
increasing t. In addition, the Existence and Uniqueness Theorem says that every point
in the ty-plane has a unique solution curve through it. The Extension Theorem says
that each solution curve must exit each box in the ty-plane that the curve enters.
The solution curve through a point (t0 , y0 ) on the parabola t = y2 must rise as
t decreases away from t0 . The solution curve through a point on the parabola t = y 2
must also rise as t increases beyond t0 , but the curve stays inside the parabola forever
after. Why? The answer is that if the solution curve did touch the parabola for t > t 0 ,
then the curve would violate the uniqueness property. Figure 1 illustrates these facts
with four solution curves. Note that if a solution curve gets inside the parabola, it
then tends to the upper branch of the parabola as t increases. Finally, observe that any
solution curve that does not intersect the parabola must always fall as t increases.

PROBLEMS
Use your solver to plot a slope field for each ODE. Find nullclines. Use the Existence and Uniqueness
Theorem and the Extension Theorem and sketch nontouching solution curves in the indicated region.
Use your solver to verify your sketches.
1.
3.
4.

y0 = (y 1)(y 2), 0 t 3, 0 y 5

2.

y 0 = y2 t2 , |t| 2, |y| 2

y0 = (y t)2 , |t| 2, |y| 2 [Hint: look for straight line solutions.]

y0 = 2ty2 , |t| 2, |y| 2