Suppose ψs:(x,u)↦(x~,u~) is a smooth one-parameter group of transformations acting on R2, with infinitesimal generator
V=ξ(x,u)∂x∂+η(x,u)∂u∂
(a) Define the nth prolongation Pr(n)V of V, and show that
Pr(n)V=V+i=1∑nηi∂u(i)∂
where you should give an explicit formula to determine the ηi recursively in terms of ξ and η.
(b) Find the nth prolongation of each of the following generators:
V1=∂x∂,V2=x∂x∂,V3=x2∂x∂
(c) Given a smooth, real-valued, function u=u(x), the Schwarzian derivative is defined by,
S=S[u]:=ux2uxuxxx−23uxx2
Show that,
Pr(3)Vi(S)=ciS,
for i=1,2,3 where ci are real functions which you should determine. What can you deduce about the symmetries of the equations: (i) S[u]=0, (ii) S[u]=1, (iii) S[u]=x21 ?