Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2012 / iii / Paper 20 / 1 / ii / b / Solution

The chain rule yieldsIf $f$ is a canonical transformation, the symplectic matrix identity $AJ{A}^T=J$ makes this expression $\{F,G{\}}_{Q,P}\circ f$. Thus preservation of the symplectic form implies preservation of every Poisson bracket, for all $C^1$ functions.

Conversely, assume this Poisson bracket identity for every $F,G$. Take $F(Z)=u\cdot Z$ and $G(Z)=v\cdot Z$, for arbitrary constant vectors $u,v\in {\mathbb{R}}^{2n}$. It gives $u^{T}AJ{A}^{T}v=u^{T}Jv$. Since this holds for every $u,v$, $AJ{A}^T=J$, hence $A^{T}JA=J$. Therefore preservation of all Poisson brackets is equivalent to canonicity. Only first derivatives of $f,F,G$ enter this argument.