Real polynomial systems of degree \(n\) with \(n+1\) line invariants (Q1346224)

Consider two-dimensional systems \(\dot x = P(x,y)\), \(\dot y = Q(x,y)\) with real polynomials \(P\), \(Q\) of degree \(n\) and with \(n + 1\) line invariants. The author derives a series of results concerning the interrelation between the number of limit cycles and the position of these line invariants. Typical results are as follows: Denote by \(E^ m_ n (k)\) the class of real degree \(n\) polynomial systems with \(n + 1\) real line invariants in \(m\) different directions, where it happens \(k\) times that 3 lines pass through the same point. Then none of the systems from \(E_ n^{n+1} (0) \cup E_ n^{n+1} (1) \cup E^ n_ n (0)\) has a limit cycle. Moreover, no system from \(E_ n^{n+1} (n - 1)\) has a closed orbit. On the other hand, examples from \(E_ n^{n+1} (2)\) \((n > 3)\) and \(E_ n^ n (1)\), \(E_ n^{n-1} (0)\) \((n > 2)\) are constructed which have at least one limit cycle. Analogous results are also obtained when some of the line invariants are complex. The proofs mostly rely on a lemma by Christopher expressing \(P\) and \(Q\) in terms of the line invariants, from which integrating factors or Dulac functions are constructed.