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Masters Degrees (Pure Mathematics)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10413/7121

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Pure Mathematics) by Author "Leach, Peter Gavin Lawrence."

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    Ermakov systems : a group theoretic approach.
    (1993) Govinder, Keshlan Sathasiva.; Leach, Peter Gavin Lawrence.
    The physical world is, for the most part, modelled using second order ordinary differential equations. The time-dependent simple harmonic oscillator and the Ermakov-Pinney equation (which together form an Ermakov system) are two examples that jointly and separately describe many physical situations. We study Ermakov systems from the point of view of the algebraic properties of differential equations. The idea of generalised Ermakov systems is introduced and their relationship to the Lie algebra sl(2, R) is explained. We show that the 'compact' form of generalized Ermakov systems has an infinite dimensional Lie algebra. Such algebras are usually associated only with first order equations in the context of ordinary differential equations. Apart from the Ermakov invariant which shares the infinite-dimensional algebra of the 'compact' equation, the other three integrals force the dimension of the algebra to be reduced to the three of sl(2, R). Subsequently we establish a new class of Ermakov systems by considering equations invariant under sl(2, R) (in two dimensions) and sl(2, R) EB so(3) (in three dimensions). The former class contains the generalized Ermakov system as a special case in which the force is velocity-independent. The latter case is a generalization of the classical equation of motion of the magnetic monopole which is well known to possess the conserved Poincare vector. We demonstrate that in fact there are three such vectors for all equations of this type.
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    Noether's theorem and first integrals of ordinary differential equations.
    (1997) Moyo, Sibusiso.; Leach, Peter Gavin Lawrence.
    The Lie theory of extended groups is a practical tool in the analysis of differential equations, particularly in the construction of solutions. A formalism of the Lie theory is given and contrasted with Noether's theorem which plays a prominent role in the analysis of differential equations derivable from a Lagrangian. The relationship between the Lie and Noether approach to differential equations is investigated. The standard separation of Lie point symmetries into Noetherian and nonNoetherian symmetries is shown to be irrelevant within the context of nonlocality. This also emphasises the role played by nonlocal symmetries in such an approach.
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    The paradigms of mechanics : a symmetry based approach.
    (1996) Lemmer, Ryan Lee.; Leach, Peter Gavin Lawrence.
    An overview of the historical developments of the paradigms of classical mechanics, the free particle, oscillator and the Kepler problem, is given ito (in terms of) their conserved quantities. Next, the orbits of the three paradigms are found from quadratic forms. The quadratic forms are constructed using first integrals found by the application of Poisson's theorem. The orbits are presented ito expanding surfaces defined by the quadratic forms. The Lie and Noether symmetries of the paradigms are investigated. The free particle is discussed in detail and an overview of the work done on the oscillator and Kepler problem is given. The Lie and Noether theories are compared from various aspects. A technical description of Lie groups and algebras is given. This provides a basis for a discussion of the historical development of the paradigms of mechanics ito their group properties. Lastly the paradigms are discussed ito of Quantum Mechanics.