We apply the Lie-group formalism and the nonclassical method due to Bluman
and Cole to deduce symmetries of the generalized Boussinesq equation, which has
the classical Boussinesq equation as an special case. We study the class of
functions f(u) for which this equation admit either the classical or the
nonclassical method. The reductions obtained are derived. Some new exact
solutions can be derived