Final answer:
The Duffing equation can be represented in state-space form by defining two state variables and writing first-order differential equations. The state-space representation of the Duffing equation is x₁' = x₂ and x₂' = -αx₁ - x₁³.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Duffing equation, given by y¨ + αy + y³ = 0, can be represented in state-space form. State-space representation is a mathematical model used to describe the behavior of a system over time.
To convert the Duffing equation into state-space form, we define two state variables, x₁ and x₂, and write two first-order differential equations: x₁ = y and x₂ = y'. The state-space representation of the Duffing equation is:
x₁' = x₂
x₂' = -αx₁ - x₁³