On Hopf and Fold Bifurcations of Jerk Systems

Abstract

In this paper we consider a jerk system x˙=y,y˙=z,z˙=j(x,y,z,α), where j is an arbitrary smooth function and α is a real parameter. Using the derivatives of j at an equilibrium point, we discuss the stability of that point, and we point out some local codim-1 bifurcations. Moreover, we deduce jerk approximate normal forms for the most common fold bifurcations.