Consider the coordinate transformation
gϵ:(x,u)↦(x~,u~)=(xcosϵ−usinϵ,xsinϵ+ucosϵ)
Show that gϵ defines a one-parameter group of transformations. Define what is meant by the generator V of a one-parameter group of transformations and compute it for the above case.
Now suppose u=u(x). Explain what is meant by the first prolongation pr(1)gϵ of gϵ. Compute pr(1)gϵ in this case and deduce that
pr(1)V=V+(1+ux2)∂ux∂
Similarly find pr(2)V.
Define what is meant by a Lie point symmetry of the first-order differential equation Δ[x,u,ux]=0. Describe this condition in terms of the vector field that generates the Lie point symmetry. Consider the case
Δ[x,u,ux]≡ux−x−uf(x2+u2)u+xf(x2+u2)
where f is an arbitrary smooth function of one variable. Using (⋆), show that gϵ generates a Lie point symmetry of the corresponding differential equation.