Has a stable system a stable eq. point? a limit cycle?

Q: Has a stable system a stable eq. point? a limit cycle?

A: Normally you first find the eq. point of a system and then you determine whether those eq. points are stable or not. You should not in general call a system stable or unstable if it has multiple eq. points and the stability should be with respect to the eq. point. Limit cycle is a property of the system dynamics and is not a concept related to eq. points. It doesn't make sense to say an eq. point has a limit cycle or not.

--Ling Shi 6:10 pm, 9 Oct 2006 (PDT)