Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2013 / iii / Paper 49 / 1 / b / Solution

For a diffeomorphism, the differential and its inverse preserve the natural pairing of a vector with a covector. Consequently the mixed tensor pullback commutes with every tensor contraction $C$:Differentiating at zero gives ${\mathcal{L}}_X(CT)=C({\mathcal{L}}_{X}T)$. The mixed tensor pullback also preserves tensor products, soThe ordinary product rule for differentiation therefore yieldsThis proves the contraction and Leibniz rule properties for all smooth generators, without needing straightening coordinates.

The suggested flow-box theorem applies locally only where $X\ne 0$. For example $X=x{\partial }_x$ vanishes at $x=0$, so it cannot equal a coordinate basis vector there. Its local flow is nevertheless ${\varphi }_s(x)=e^{s}x$ and ${\varphi }_s^{\ast }dx=e^{s}dx$, giving ${\mathcal{L}}_{X}dx=dx$ even at that zero. This Lie derivative at a zero of its generator illustrates why the general flow proof is needed to cover every point.