On the Linearization of Second-Order Differential and Difference Equations

This article complements recent results of the papers [J. Math. Phys. 41 (2000), 480; 45 (2004), 336] on the symmetry classification of second-order ordinary difference equations and meshes, as well as the Lagrangian formalism and Noether-type integration technique. It turned out that there exist nonlinear superposition principles for solutions of special second-order ordinary difference equations which possess Lie group symmetries. This superposition springs from the linearization of second-order ordinary difference equations by means of non-point transformations which act simultaneously on equations and meshes. These transformations become some sort of contact transformations in the continuous limit.Comment: Published in SIGMA (Symmetry, Integrability and Geometry: Methods and Applications) at http://www.emis.de/journals/SIGMA

Linearization of nonlinear connections on vector and affine bundles, and some applications

A linear connection is associated to a nonlinear connection on a vector bundle by a linearization procedure. Our definition is intrinsic in terms of vector fields on the bundle. For a connection on an affine bundle our procedure can be applied after homogenization and restriction. Several applications in Classical Mechanics are provided

On the complete integrability and linearization of certain second order nonlinear ordinary differential equations

A method of finding general solutions of second-order nonlinear ordinary differential equations by extending the Prelle-Singer (PS) method is briefly discussed. We explore integrating factors, integrals of motion and the general solution associated with several dynamical systems discussed in the current literature by employing our modifications and extensions of the PS method. In addition to the above we introduce a novel way of deriving linearizing transformations from the first integrals to linearize the second order nonlinear ordinary differential equations to free particle equation. We illustrate the theory with several potentially important examples and show that our procedure is widely applicable.Comment: Proceedings of the Royal Society London Series A (Accepted for publication) 25 pages, one tabl

Linearization of Second-Order Ordinary Differential Equations by Generalized Sundman Transformations

The linearization problem of a second-order ordinary differential equation by the generalized Sundman transformation was considered earlier by Duarte, Moreira and Santos using the Laguerre form. The results obtained in the present paper demonstrate that their solution of the linearization problem for a second-order ordinary differential equation via the generalized Sundman transformation is not complete. We also give examples which show that the Laguerre form is not sufficient for the linearization problem via the generalized Sundman transformation