Liapunov Methods
Liapunov Methods
two fundamental methods of studying the stability of motion proposed by A. M. Liapunov. In essence, each Liapunov method encompasses a whole set of techniques connected by common ideas.
The first Liapunov method is based on finding and studying the solutions of the equations of a perturbed motion, that is, a motion that for certain reasons (for example, as a consequence of a random impulse) differs from the unperturbed motion being considered. The second, or direct, Liapunov method is more common and consists in studying the stability of motion by means of certain specially introduced functions called Liapunov functions.