Approximate Noether Symmetries of Perturbed Lagrangians and Approximate Conservation Laws

In this paper, within the framework of the consistent approach recently introduced for approximate Lie symmetries of differential equations, we consider approximate Noether symmetries of variational problems involving small terms. Then, we state an approximate Noether theorem leading to the construction of approximate conservation laws. Some illustrative applications are presented.

Relationship between Unstable Point Symmetries and Higher-Order Approximate Symmetries of Differential Equations with a Small Parameter

The framework of Baikov–Gazizov–Ibragimov approximate symmetries has proven useful for many examples where a small perturbation of an ordinary or partial differential equation (ODE, PDE) destroys its local exact symmetry group. For the perturbed model, some of the local symmetries of the unperturbed equation may (or may not) re-appear as approximate symmetries. Approximate symmetries are useful as a tool for systematic construction of approximate solutions. For algebraic and first-order differential equations, to every point symmetry of the unperturbed equation, there corresponds an approximate point symmetry of the perturbed equation. For second and higher-order ODEs, this is not the case: a point symmetry of the original ODE may be unstable, that is, not have an analogue in the approximate point symmetry classification of the perturbed ODE. We show that such unstable point symmetries correspond to higher-order approximate symmetries of the perturbed ODE and can be systematically computed. Multiple examples of computations of exact and approximate point and local symmetries are presented, with two detailed examples that include a fourth-order nonlinear Boussinesq equation reduction. Examples of the use of higher-order approximate symmetries and approximate integrating factors to obtain approximate solutions of higher-order ODEs are provided.

Projective Collineations of Decomposable Spacetimes Generated by the Lie Point Symmetries of Geodesic Equations

We investigate the relation of the Lie point symmetries for the geodesic equations with the collineations of decomposable spacetimes. We review previous results in the literature on the Lie point symmetries of the geodesic equations and we follow a previous proposed geometric construction approach for the symmetries of differential equations. In this study, we prove that the projective collineations of a n+1-dimensional decomposable Riemannian space are the Lie point symmetries for geodesic equations of the n-dimensional subspace. We demonstrate the application of our results with the presentation of applications.

Contact Symmetries of a Model in Optimal Investment Theory

It is generally known that Lie symmetries of differential equations can lead to a reduction of the governing equation(s), lead to exact solutions of these equations and, in the best case scenario, lead to a linearization of the original equation. In this paper, we consider a model from optimal investment theory where we show the governing equation possesses an extensive contact symmetry and, through this, we show it is linearizable. Several exact solutions are provided including a solution to a particular terminal value problem.

Special Issue on Symmetry and Fluid Mechanics

This Special Issue invited researchers to contribute their original research work and review articles on “Symmetry and Fluid Mechanics” that either advances the state-of-the-art mathematical methods through theoretical or experimental studies or extends the bounds of existing methodologies with new contributions related to the symmetry, asymmetry, and lie symmetries of differential equations proposed as mathematical models in fluid mechanics, thereby addressing current challenges. In response to the call for papers, a total of 42 papers were submitted for possible publication. After comprehensive peer review, only 25 papers qualified for acceptance for final publication. The rest of the papers could not be accommodated. The submissions may have been technically correct but were not considered appropriate for the scope of this Special Issue. The authors are from geographically distributed countries such as the USA, Australia, China, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, Malaysia, Abu Dhabi, UAE, South Africa, and Vietnam. This reflects the great impact of the proposed topic and the effective organization of the guest editorial team of this Special Issue.

Charged radiating stars with Lie symmetries

We consider the general model of an accelerating, expanding and shearing radiating star in the presence of charge. Using a new set of variables arising from the Lie symmetries of differential equations we transform the boundary equation into ordinary differential equations. We present several new exact models for a charged gravitating sphere. A particular family of solution may be interpreted as a generalised Euclidean star in the presence of the electromagnetic field. This family admits a linear barotropic equation of state. In the uncharged limit, we regain general relativistic stellar models where proper and areal radii are equal, and its generalisations. Our group theoretical approach selects the physically important cases of Euclidean stars and equations of state.

Applications of Differential Form Wu’s Method to Determine Symmetries of (Partial) Differential Equations

In this paper, we present an application of Wu’s method (differential characteristic set (dchar-set) algorithm) for computing the symmetry of (partial) differential equations (PDEs) that provides a direct and systematic procedure to obtain the classical and nonclassical symmetry of the differential equations. The fundamental theory and subalgorithms used in the proposed algorithm consist of a different version of the Lie criterion for the classical symmetry of PDEs and the zero decomposition algorithm of a differential polynomial (d-pol) system (DPS). The version of the Lie criterion yields determining equations (DTEs) of symmetries of differential equations, even those including a nonsolvable equation. The decomposition algorithm is used to solve the DTEs by decomposing the zero set of the DPS associated with the DTEs into a union of a series of zero sets of dchar-sets of the system, which leads to simplification of the computations.