Uniqueness of limit cycles for quadratic vector fields (Q1633140)

The purpose of this paper is to determine the number of limit cycles surrounding the equilibrium point at the origin for the following real quadratic planar system \(\dot{x}=a_1x-y-a_3x^2+(2a_2+a_5)xy+a_6y^2\), \(\dot{y}=x+a_1y+a_2x^2+(2a_3+a_4)xy-a_2y^2\). By using polar coordinates such a system can be reduced to the associated Abel equation. The main results determine the semi-varieties in the space of parameters where the known criteria for the associated Abel equation can be applied, and, as a consequence, the authors conclude that at most one limit cycle surrounds the origin of mentioned quadratic system. The proofs combine classical methods with tools from computational algebraic geometry.