Writing , the infinitesimal generator of a Lie point symmetry is
Write , , and . On the jet space of a scalar ordinary differential equation, define
where the total derivative operator is
The order- prolongation of a vector field is
In the coordinates , the given action of the special orthogonal group is
Differentiating at gives the infinitesimal generator of a Lie point symmetry
so and . The recursive formula gives
and
Therefore the second prolongation of the rotation generator for plane graphs is
For ,
which vanishes when . For
we obtain
which likewise vanishes on the equation. This is the infinitesimal invariance criterion for both equations.
Geometrically, describes straight lines. The signed curvature of a plane graph is
so the second equation says and describes consistently oriented arcs of unit circles. Rotation preserves straight lines, circles, and signed curvature, explaining both invariances.
Let be the group parameter. The infinitesimal generator of a Lie point symmetry
has flow equations
Therefore it generates the scaling group
Here , , and . The total-derivative formulas for the second prolongation of a Lie point symmetry give
and
Thus
For the wave equation expression ,
It therefore vanishes whenever , proving that generates the simultaneous spacetime scaling symmetry of the wave equation.
The independent invariant of the scaling orbits is the similarity variable
while itself is invariant. Seek a group-invariant solution . Direct partial differentiation gives
The wave equation reduces to
Hence, on any interval avoiding ,