Introduction to selected topics of Lie Symmetries[MatSciRep: 109]

Abstract

The concept of symmetry plays a key role in physics, and the mathematical theory of groups and algebras is the appropriate means for exploring and expressing this symmetry. This short course aimed to, a) to seek clarity even at the expense of mathematical rigour b) to select Some topics which are useful to the intending student and to assemble together material which seems to be scattered in the literature, - with the hope that thereafter one can go more confidently to a serious treatment of the subject and c) to summarise some of the results of our La Trobe group on the Lie symmetries of dynamical systems.