Invariant characterization of third-order ordinary differential equations u''=f(x,u,u',u) with five-dimensional point symmetry group

Abstract

The Cartan equivalence method is applied to provide an invariant characterization of the third-order ordinary differential equation u''=f(x,u,u',u') which admits a five-dimensional point symmetry Lie algebra. The invariant characterization is given in terms of the function f in a compact form. A simple procedure to construct the equivalent canonical form by use of an obtained constant invariant is also presented. We also show how one obtains the point transformation that does the reduction to linear form. Moreover, some applications are provided.