We consider reasoning and minimization in systems of polynomial ordinary
differential equations (ode's). The ring of multivariate polynomials is
employed as a syntax for denoting system behaviours. We endow this set with a
transition system structure based on the concept of Lie-derivative, thus
inducing a notion of L-bisimulation. We prove that two states (variables) are
L-bisimilar if and only if they correspond to the same solution in the ode's
system. We then characterize L-bisimilarity algebraically, in terms of certain
ideals in the polynomial ring that are invariant under Lie-derivation. This
characterization allows us to develop a complete algorithm, based on building
an ascending chain of ideals, for computing the largest L-bisimulation
containing all valid identities that are instances of a user-specified
template. A specific largest L-bisimulation can be used to build a reduced
system of ode's, equivalent to the original one, but minimal among all those
obtainable by linear aggregation of the original equations. A computationally
less demanding approximate reduction and linearization technique is also
proposed.Comment: 27 pages, extended and revised version of FOSSACS 2017 pape