On the stability and boundedness of solutions of nonlinear vector differential equations of third order (Q1004618)

Consider the vector differential equation \[ {d^3 x\over dt^3}+ \Psi\Biggl({dx\over dt}\Biggr) {d^2 x\over dt^2}+ B{dx\over dt}+ cx= p(t),\tag{\(*\)} \] where \(B\) is a constant symmetric \(n\times n\)-matrix, \(c\) is a positive constant, \(\Psi\) is a continuous symmetric \(n\times n\)-matrix function. In case \(p\equiv 0\), the author proves a theorem on global asymptotic stability of the equilibrium \(x= 0\). His second theorem is concerned with boundedness of all solutions of \((*)\) under certain assumptions on \(p\). The proofs are based on the construction of suitable Lyapunov functions.