Abstract: In order to study the integration and the stability of autonomous Birkhoffian systems, we propose four kinds of gradient systems to represent the autonomous Birkhoffian systems. By analysing the relationship between the gradient systems and the Birkhoffian systems, we obtain the conditions that the Birkhoffian systems can be transformed into a kind of four gradient systems. Then, we use the properties of gradient system to investigate the problems of integration and stability of the Birkhoffian systems. Finally, we give some examples to illustrate the application of the theory.

Key words: Birkhoffian systems, gradient system, integration, stability