MATH 275 Differentials Project

Elliot Tam
Page 90, Number 21
In this problem we assume that fish are caught at a constant rate h independent of
the size of the fish population. Then y satisfies
dy
= r(1 y/K)y h (1)
dt
The assumption of a constant catch rate h maybe reasonable when y is large but
becomes less so when y is small.
(a) If h < rK/4, show that Eq.(1) has two equilibrium points y1 and y2 with
y1 < y2 ; determine these points.
(b) Show that y1 is unstable and y2 is asymptotically stable.
(c) From a plot of f(y) versus y, show that if the initial population yo > y1 , then
y y2 as t , but that if yo < y1 , then y decreases as t increases. Note that
y=0 is not an equilibrium point, so if yo < y2 , then extinction will be reached in a
finite time.
(d) If h > rK/4, show that y decreases to zero as t increases regardless of the value
of yo .
(e) If h = rK/4, show that there is a single equilibrium point y = K/2 and that
this point is semi-stable. Thus, the maximum sustainable yield is hm = rK/4,
corresponding to the equilibrium value y = K/2. The fishery is considered to be
overexploited if y is reduced to a level below K/2.

1
Part A
Assume:
rK
>h (2)
4
To find the equilibrium points, we set the rate equation equal to zero. As a result,
we end up with a quadratic equation.

y
0 = ry(1 )h
K
y
h = ry(1 )
K
ry 2
h = ry
K
Kh = rKy ry 2
0 = ry 2 rKy + Kh

Using the quadratic formula, we find two equilibrium solutions, y1 and y2 .

p
rk (rK)2 4rKh
y1 , y2 = (3)
2r

In order to have two real solutions, the discriminant must be positive. This can
only happen if what we square root is positive. If it were negative, we would have a
non-real solution. So we solve (rK)2 4rkh > 0 for h.

(rK)2 4rKh > 0

(rK)2 > 4rKh
rK
>h
4
The result is exactly what was given in the initial question(Equation 2), proving
that the discriminant is positive. The solutions y1 and y2 are the result of the
quadratic equation.

2
Part B

Figure 1 is the graph of dy

dt
= r(1 Ky )y h shown below. We can use this to
determine the nature of the arbitrary equilibrium solutions, where y1 < y2 .

Figure 1

Using Figure 1, we can draw a phase line diagram for the two solutions in order to
prove y1 is unstable and y2 is asymptotically stable. We find the sign of the slopes
of the points immediately to the left and right of y1 and y2 . For y < y1 , the slope is
negative, so the arrow below y1 on the phase line diagram will point downward. For
y > y1 and y < y2 the slope is positive, so the arrow above y1 and below y2 will
point upward. For y > y2 the slope is negative, so the arrow above y2 will point
downward.

y2 : stable

y1 : unstable

Both arrows are pointing away from y1 , so the solution is unstable. On the other
hand, both arrows are pointing toward y2 , so the solution is stable.

3
Part C

Figure 2 is a graph of f(y) versus y, depicting possible trajectories of the population

based on the initial population, yo . The blue lines start at yo > y1 . The red line
starts at yo < y1 .

Figure 2

As seen on the blue lines, y y2 as t . The red line shows y 0 as t .

4
Part D

If h > rK
4
, the equilibrium solutions found in Equation 3 would have imaginary
solutions. Having complex solutions would create a graph similar to Figure 3,
where no part of the graph intersects the fish population axis.

Figure 3

From Figure 3, we see that regardless of our yo , the fish population will decrease as
t because the slope or rate of change of the population is always negative.

5
Part E

If h = rK
4
, the equilibrium solutions found would be equal meaning there is only
one point of the graph touching the fish population axis. Having one solution
would create a graph similar to Figure 4, where the graph intersects the fish
population axis at one point.

Figure 4

From Figure 4, we see that there is one equilibrium point, y = K/2. It is the
maximum of the graph, and so we conclude that the maximum population if
h = rK
4
is at y = K/2. We know this point is semi-stable because the slope is
negative for both y < K/2 and y > K/2.