Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2012 / iii / Paper 7 / 2 / c

Let $S_{s,t}(y)$ be the position at time $t$ of the characteristic curve satisfying $X(s)=y$ and $\dot{X}=u(t,X)$. Smooth uniqueness implies $S_{t,s}=S_{s,t}^{-1}$. Differentiating in the initial point gives the variational equationThe Liouville formula for a fundamental matrix, or the derivative formula for a determinant, therefore givesBecause $u=(-{\varphi }_{x_2},{\varphi }_{x_1})$, the mixed second derivatives cancel and $\mathrm{div}u=0$. The initial Jacobian determinant is one, soThus this Hamiltonian flow preserves planar Lebesgue measure. This calculation assumes smoothness as in the part; a rough-flow conclusion later must be justified by approximation rather than by differentiating a merely continuous velocity.