Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2010 / iii / Paper 15 / 1 / c

Using the coordinate formula for the Lie bracket of vector fields, the two components areThus $\boxed{[X,Y]=-(x^2/2){\partial }_x+xy{\partial }_y}$, which is not the zero vector field.

The integral curves of a vector field $X$ solve $\dot{x}=y$, $\dot{y}=0$, whereas those of $Y$ solve $\dot{x}=0$, $\dot{y}=x^2/2$. Their local flows areBoth formulas exist for all real parameters, so both are complete vector fields. Direct composition givesAt $(1,0)$ their first coordinates differ by $ts/2$. Hence these local flows do not commute when $s,t$ are nonzero.

For the Lie bracket of vector fields, start at $(2,0)$. An integral curve of a vector field $[X,Y]$ isIt solves $\dot{x}=-x^2/2$, $\dot{y}=xy$, but $x(t)$ diverges as $t\downarrow -1$. It cannot extend through that finite time as a curve in ${\mathbb{R}}^2$. Complete vector fields are therefore not closed under the Lie bracket.

For the sum $X+Y$, its integral curves of a vector field obey $\dot{x}=y$, $\dot{y}=x^2/2$. Substitution of $x=(1+\alpha t{)}^{-2}$ and $y=\beta (1+\alpha t{)}^{-3}$ requiresChoosing $\alpha =-1/(2\sqrt{3})$ gives the integral curve of a vector fieldIt starts at $(1,1/\sqrt{3})$ and escapes to infinity at the finite time $2\sqrt{3}$. Complete vector fields are not closed under addition either. Both failures use the same pair of complete vector fields.