Differential Geometry

Problems and Solutions
in
Differential Geometry
and
Applications
by
Willi-Hans Steeb
International School for Scientific Computing
at
University of Johannesburg, South Africa
Preface
The purpose of this book is to supply a collection of problems in differential
geometry.
[email protected]
[email protected]
Home page of the author:
http://issc.uj.ac.za
vi
Contents
Preface
1 Curves, Surfaces and Manifolds
2 Vector Fields and Lie Series
19
3 Metric Tensor Fields
31
4 Differential Forms and Applications
42
5 Lie Derivative and Applications
64
6 Killing Vector Fields and Lie Algebras
79
7 Lie-Algebra Valued Differential Forms
82
8 Lie Symmetries and Differential Equations
91
9 Integration
96
10 Lie Groups and Lie Algebras
99
11 Miscellaneous
101
Bibliography
108
Index
117
vii
ix
Notation
:=
N
Z
Q
R
R+
C
Rn
Cn
M
H
i
<z
=z
|z|
T S
ST
ST
f (S)
f g
x
xT
0
k.k
x y x y
xy
Sn
An
Dn
is defined as
belongs to (a set)
does not belong to (a set)
intersection of sets
union of sets
empty set
set of natural numbers
set of integers
set of rational numbers
set of real numbers
set of nonnegative real numbers
set of complex numbers
n-dimensional Euclidian space
space of column vectors with n real components
n-dimensional complex linear space
space of column vectors with n complex components
manifold
Hilbert
space
1
real part of the complex number z
imaginary part of the complex number z
modulus of complex number z
(|x + iy| = (x2 + y 2 )1/2 , x, y R
subset T of set S
the intersection of the sets S and T
the union of the sets S and T
image of set S under mapping f
composition of two mappings (f g)(x) = f (g(x))
column vector in Cn
transpose of x (row vector)
zero (column) vector
norm
scalar product (inner product) in Cn
vector product in R3
symmetric group
alternating group
n-th dihedral group
x
A, B, C
det(A)
tr(A)
rank(A)
AT
A
A
A
A1
In
I
0n
AB
V
[A, B] := AB BA
[A, B]+ := AB + BA
jk

t
m n matrices
determinant of a square matrix A
trace of a square matrix A
rank of matrix A
transpose of matrix A
conjugate of matrix A
conjugate transpose of matrix A
conjugate transpose of matrix A
(notation used in physics)
inverse of square matrix A (if it exists)
n n unit matrix
unit operator
n n zero matrix
matrix product of m n matrix A
and n p matrix B
vector field
of m n matrices A and B
commutator for square matrices A and B
anticommutator for square matrices A and B
tensor product
exterior product, Grassmann product, wedge product
Kronecker delta with jk = 1 for j = k
and jk = 0 for j 6= k
eigenvalue
real parameter
time variable
Hamilton operator
Chapter 1
Curves, Surfaces and

Manifolds
Problem 1.
Consider the compact differentiable manifold

S 2 := { (x1 , x2 , x3 ) : x21 + x22 + x23 = 1 }.
An element S 2 can be written as

= (cos() sin(), sin() sin(), cos())
where [0, 2) and [0, ]. The stereographic projection is a map
: S 2 \ { (0, 0, 1) } R2
given by
x1 (, ) =
2 sin() cos()
,
1 + cos()
x2 (, ) =
2 sin() sin()
.
1 + cos()
(i) Let = 0 and arbitrary. Find x1 , x2 . Give a geometric interpretation.

(ii) Find the inverse of the map, i.e., find
1 : R2 S 2 \ { (0, 0, 1) }.
Problem 2.
The parameter representation for the torus is given by

x1 (u1 , u2 ) = (R + r cos(u1 )) cos(u2 )
x2 (u1 , u2 ) = (R + r cos(u1 )) sin(u2 )
x3 (u1 , u2 ) = r sin(u1 )
1
2 Problems and Solutions

where u1 [0, 2] and u2 [0, 2] and R > r. Let
x1 /u1
x1 /u2
t1 (u1 , u2 ) := x2 /u1 ,
t2 (u1 , u2 ) := x2 /u2 .
x3 /u1
x3 /u2
The surface element of the torus is given by
do = gdu1 du2
where
g = g11 g22 g12 g21
and
gjk (u1 , u2 ) := tj (u1 , u2 ) tk (u1 , u2 )
with denoting the scalar product. Calculate the surface area of the torus.
Problem 3.
(x, y) =
Let x, y R. Consider the map
x
,
1 + x2 + y 2
(x, y) =
y
,
1 + x2 + y 2
Calculate

1
+ +
2
2
(x, y) =
x2 + y 2
.
1 + x2 + y 2
2
.
Discuss. Find (0, 0), (0, 0), (0, 0) and (1, 1), (1, 1), (1, 1).
Problem 4.
Consider the two-dimensional unit sphere

S 2 := { x R3 : x21 + x22 + x23 = 1 }.
Show that S 2 is an orientable two-dimensional differentiable manifold. Use

the following orientation-preserving atlas
U1 = { x S 2 : x3 > 0 },
U2 = { x S 2 : x3 < 0 },
U3 = { x S 2 : x2 > 0 },
U4 = { x S 2 : x2 < 0 },
U5 = { x S 2 : x1 > 0 },
U6 = { x S 2 : x1 < 0 }.
Problem 5. Cn is an n-dimensional complex manifold. The complex

projective space Pn (C) which is defined to be the set of lines through the
origin in Cn+1 , that is
Pn (C) = (Cn+1 \ { 0 })/
Curves, Surfaces and Manifolds
for the equivalence relation

(u0 , u1 , . . . , un ) (v0 , v1 , . . . , vn ) C : uj = vj 0 j n
where C := C \ { 0 }. Show that P1 (C) is a one-dimensional complex
manifold.
Problem 6.
Let
S n := { (x1 , x2 , . . . , xn+1 ) : x21 + x22 + + x2n+1 = 1 }.

(i) Show that S 3 can be considered as a subset of C2 (C2
= R4 )
S 3 = { (z1 , z2 ) C2 : |z1 |2 + |z2 |2 = 1 }.
(ii) The Hopf map : S 3 S 2 is defined by
(z1 , z2 ) := (z 1 z2 + z 2 z1 , iz 1 z2 + iz 2 z1 , |z1 |2 |z2 |2 ).
Find the parametrization of S 3 , i.e. find z1 (, ), z2 (, ) and thus show
that indeed maps S 3 onto S 2 .
(iii) Show that (z1 , z2 ) = (z10 , z20 ) if and only if zj0 = ei zj (j = 1, 2) and
R.
Problem 7. The n-dimensional complex projective space CPn is the set
of all complex lines on Cn+1 passing through the origin. Let f be the map
that takes nonzero vectors in C2 to vectors in R3 by

z1 z 2 + z 1 z2 z1 z 2 z 1 z2 z1 z 1 z 2 z2
,
,
f (z1 , z2 ) =
z1 z 1 + z 2 z2 i(z1 z 1 + z 2 z2 ) z1 z 1 + z 2 z2
The map f defines a bijection between CP1 and the unit sphere in R3 .
Consider the normalized vectors in C2

1
1
1
1
1
i
1
0
,
,
.
,
,
1
1
i
0
1
2
2
2
Apply f to these vectors in C2 .
Problem 8.
defined by
The stereographic projection is the map : S 2 \ N C
x
y
+i
.
1z
1z
Show that the inverse of the stereographic projection takes a complex number u + iv (u, v R)

2u
2v
1 u2 v 2
,
,
1 + u2 + v 2 1 + u2 + v 2 1 + u2 + v 2
(x, y, z) =

to the unit sphere.
Problem 9. Show that the projective space Pn (C) is a compact manifold.
Problem 10. Consider the solid torus M = S 1 D2 , where D2 is the
unit disk in R2 . On it we define coordinates (, x, y) such that S 1 and
(x, y) D2 , that is, x2 + y 2 1. Using these coordinates we define the
map

1
1
1
1
f : M M,
f (, x, y) = 2, x + cos(), y + sin() .
10
2
10
2
(i) Show that this map is well-defined, that is, f (M ) M .
(ii) Show that f is injective.
Problem 11.
Show that a parameter representation of the hyperboloid

x21 x22 x23 = 1
is given by
x1 (t) = cosh(t),
x2 (t) = sinh(t) cos(),
x3 (t) = sinh(t) sin()
where 0 t < and 0 2.

Problem 12.
Consider the upper sheet of the hyperboloid
H 2 := { v R3 : v2 = v02 v12 v22 = 1 , v0 > 0 }.

Find a parametrization for v.
Problem 13.
sphere
Find the stereographic projection of the two-dimensional

S 2 := { v R3 : v2 = v02 + v12 + v22 = 1 }.
Problem 14.
Consider the curve

t
(t) =
,
cosh(t)
Show that the curvature is given by

(t) =
1
.
cosh2 (t)
t R.

Problem 15.
Consider the unit ball

S 2 := { (x, y, z) R3 : x2 + y 2 + z 2 = 1 }.
Let (t) = (x(t), y(t), z(t)) be a parametrized differentiable curve on S 2 .

Show that the vector (x(t), y(t), z(t)) (t fixed) is normal to the sphere at
the point (x(t), y(t), z(t)).
Problem 16. A generic superquadric surface can be defined as a closed
surface in R3

x(, )
a1 cos1 () cos2 ()
r(, ) y(, ) = a2 cos1 () sin2 () , /2 /2, < .
z(, )
a3 sin1 ()
There are five parameters 1 , 2 , a1 , a2 , a3 . Here 1 and 2 are the deformation parameters that control the shape with 1 , 2 (0, 2). The parameter
a1 , a2 , a3 define the size in x, y and z direction. Find the implicit representation.
Problem 17.
Let

z + z
z z
cosh
2
2

z + z
z z
x2 (z, z) = isech
sinh
2
2

z + z
x3 (z, z) = tanh
.
2
x1 (z, z) = sech
Find x21 + x22 + x23 . Note that

sech(z) :=
2
.
ez + ez
Problem 18. Let d = (d0 , d1 , . . . , dn ) be an (n + 1)-tuple of integers

dj > 1. We define
V (d) := { z = (z0 , z1 , . . . , zn ) Cn+1 : f (z) := z0d0 + z1d1 + + zndn = 0 }.
Let S2n+1 denote the unit sphere in Cn+1 , i.e.
z0 z0 + z1 z1 + + zn zn = 2.
We define
(d) := V (d) S2n+1 .

Show that (d) is a smooth manifold of dimension 2n 1. The manifolds
(d) are called Brieskorn manifolds.
Let w C. Consider the stereographic projection

2<(w) 2=(w) |w|2 1
,
,
.
r(w) =
|w|2 + 1 |w|2 + 1 |w|2 + 1
Problem 19.
(i) Let w = 1. Find r(w).

(ii) Let w = i. Find r(w).
(iii) Let w = ei . Find r(w).
(iv) Let w = 1/2. Find r(w).
Problem 20.
(i) Consider the rational curve in the plane

y 2 = x2 + x3 .
Find the parameter representation x(t), y(t).

(ii) Consider the rational curve in the plane
x2 + y 2 = 1.
Find the parameter representation x(t), y(t).
Problem 21. Let a > 0. Consider the transformation Minkowski coordinates (t, z and Rindler coordinates (, )
t(, ) =
1
exp(a) sinh(a),
a
z(, ) =
1
exp(a) cosh(a).
a
Find the inverse transformation.

Problem 22.
Show that the helicoid

x(u, v) = (a sinh(v) cos(u), a sinh(v) sin(u), au)
is a minimal surface.
Problem 23. Let A be a symmetric n n matrix over R. Let 0 6= b R.
Show that the surface
M = { x Rn : xT Ax = b }
is an (n 1) dimensional submanifold of the manifold Rn .

Problem 24.
Let C be the topological space given by the boundary of

[0, 1]n := [0, 1] [0, 1].
This means C is the surface of the n-dimensional unit cube. Show that C
can be endowed with the structure of a differential manifold.
Problem 25. Find the Gaussian curvature for the torus given by the
parametrization
x(u, v) = ((a + r cos(u)) cos(v), (a + r cos(u)) sin(v), r sin(u))
where 0 < u < 2 and 0 < v < 2.
Problem 26.
The M
obius band can be parametrized as
x(u, v) = ((2 v sin(u/2)) sin(u), (2 v sin(u/2)) cos(u), v cos(u/2)) .

Show that the Gaussian curvature is given by
K(u, v) =
1
.
(v 2 /4 + (2 v sin(u/2))2 )2
Given the surface in R3

f (t, ) =
1 + t sin
cos(), 1 + t cos
sin(), t sin( )
2
2
2
Problem 27.
where

t
1 1
,
2 2

R.
(i) Build three models of this surface using paper, glue and a scissors. Color
the first model with the South African flag. For the second model keep t
fixed (say t = 0) and cut the second model along the parameter. For
the third model keep fixed (say = 0) and cut the model along the t
parameter. Submit all three models.
(ii) Describe the curves with respect to t for fixed. Describe the curve
with respect to for t fixed.
(iii) The map given above can also be written in the form

x(t, ) = 1 + t sin
cos()
2

y(t, ) = 1 + t cos
sin()
2
z(t, ) = t sin( ).
2
For fixed t the curve
(x(), y(), z())
can be considered as a solution of a differential equation. Find this differential equation. Then t plays the role of a bifurcation parameter.
Problem 28. Let M be a differentiable manifold. Suppose that f : M
M is a diffeomorphism with Nm (f ) < , m = 1, 2, . . .. Here Nm (f ) is the
number of fixed points of the m-th iterate of f , i.e. f (m) . One defines the
zeta function of f as the formal power series
!
X
1
m
Nm (f )t
.
f (t) := exp
m
m=1
(i) Show that f (t) is an invariant of the topological conjugacy class of f .
(ii) Find Nm (f ) for the map f : R R and f (x) = sinh(x).
Problem 29.
Consider the curve given by

x1 (t) = cos(t)(2 cos(t) 1)
x2 (t) = sin(t)(2 cos(t) 1)
where t [0, 2]. Draw the curve with GNUPLOT. Find the longest distance between two points on the curve.
Problem 30.
(i) Consider the transformation in R3

x0 (a, 1 ) = cosh(a)
x1 (a, 1 ) = sinh(a) sin(1 )
x2 (a, 1 ) = sinh(a) cos(1 )
where a 0 and 0 1 < 2. Find

x20 x21 x22 .
(ii) Consider the transformation in R4
x0 (a, 1 , 2 ) = cosh(a)
x1 (a, 1 , 2 ) = sinh(a) sin(2 ) sin(1 )
x2 (a, 1 , 2 ) = sinh(a) sin(2 ) cos(1 )
x3 (a, 1 , 2 ) = sinh(a) cos(2 )
where a 0, 0 1 < 2 and 0 2 . Find

x20 x21 x22 x23 .
Extend the transformation to Rn .
Problem 31. A fixed charge Q is located on the z-axis with coordinates
ra = (0, 0, d/2), where d is interfocal distance of the prolate spheroidal
coordinates
1
x(, , ) = d((1 2 )( 2 1))1/2 cos()
2
1
y(, , ) = d((1 2 )( 2 1))1/2 sin()
2
1
z(, , ) = d
2
where 1 +1, 1 , 0 2. Express the Coulomb
potential
Q
V =
|r ra |
in prolate spheroidal coordinates.
Problem 32.
Let , , , R. Consider the vector in R5
cosh() sin() cos()

cosh() sin() sin()
x(, , , ) =
cosh() cos()
.
sinh() cos()
sinh() sin()
Find
x21 + x22 + x23 x24 x25 .
This vector plays a role for the Lie group SO(3, 2). The invariant measure
is
cosh2 () sinh() sin()dddd.
Problem 33.
Show that the surface C of the unit cube
C = {(x1 , x2 , x3 ) : 0 x1 1, 0 x2 1, 0 x3 1 }
can be made into a differentiable manifold.
Problem 34.
by
The equation of the monkey saddle surface in R3 is given

x3 = x1 (x21 3x22 )

with the parameter representation
x1 (u1 , u2 ) = u1 ,
x2 (u1 , u2 ) = u2 ,
x3 (u1 , u2 ) = u31 3u1 u22 .
Find the mean and Gaussian curvature.

Let
g = dx1 dx1 + dx2 dx2 + dx3 dx3 .
Find g restricted to the monkey saddle surface. Find the curvature scalar.
Problem 35.
Let a > 0 and consider the surface

1 u22
cos(u1 )
1 + u22
1 u22
sin(u1 )
x2 (u1 , u2 ) = a
1 + u22
2au2
.
x3 (u1 , u2 ) =
1 + u22
x1 (u1 , u2 ) = a
Find x21 + x22 + x23 .

Problem 36.
Show that an open disc

D2 := { (x1 , x2 ) R2 : x21 + x22 < 1 }
is homeomorphic to R2 .
Problem 37. Let r > 0. The Klein bagel is a specific immersion of the
Klein bottle manifold into three dimensions with the parameter representation
x1 (u1 , u2 ) = (r + cos(u1 /2) sin(u2 ) sin(u1 /2) sin(2u2 )) cos(u1 )
x2 (u1 , u2 ) = (r + cos(u1 /2) sin(u2 ) sin(u1 /2) sin(2u2 )) sin(u1 )
x3 (u1 , u2 ) = sin(u1 /2) sin(u2 ) + cos(u1 /2) sin(2u2 )
where 0 u1 < 2 and 0 u2 < 2. Find the mean curvature and
Gaussian curvature.
Problem 38.
Consider the circle

S 1 := {(x1 , x2 ) R2 : x21 + x22 = 1 }
and the square

I 2 = { (x1 , x2 ) R : (|x1 | = 1, |x2 | 1), (|x1 | 1, |x2 | = 1) }.
11
Find a homeomorphism.
Problem 39. The transformation between the orthogonal ellipsoidal coordinates (, , ) and the Cartesian coordinates (x1 , x2 , x3 ) is
2 2 2
h2 k 2
2
(
2 )(2 h2 )(h2 2 )
x22 =
h2 (k 2 h2 )
(2 k 2 )(k 2 2 )(k 2 2 )
x23 =
k 2 (k 2 h2 )
x21 =
where k 2 = a21 a23 , h2 = a21 a22 and a1 > a2 > a3 denote the three semiaxes of the ellipsoid. The three surfaces in R3 , = constant, (k ),
= constant, (h k) and = constant, (0 h, represent
ellipsoids and hyperboloids of one and two sheets, respectively. Find the
inverse transformation.
Problem 40.
Let x1 , x2 , x3 R and
x21 + x22 + x23 = 1.
Let w C with
x1 + ix2
.
1 + x3
Find x1 , x2 , x3 as functions of w and w .
w=
Problem 41. (i) Let M be a manifold and f : M M , g : M M .

Assume that f is invertible. Then we say that the map f is a symmetry of
the map g if
f g f 1 = g.
Let M = R and f (x) = sinh(x). Find all g such that f g f 1 = g.
(ii) Let f and g be invertible maps. We say that g has a reversing symmetry
f if
f g f 1 = g 1 .
Let M = R and f (x) = sinh(x). Find all g that satisfy this equation.
Problem 42.
Consider the map f : R R2 defined by

f (x) = (2 cos(x /2), sin(2(x /2))).
Show that (f , R) is an immersed submanifold of the manifold R2 , but not

an embedded submanifold.

Problem 43.
Use GNU-plot to plot the curve

x1 (t) = cos(3t),
x2 (t) = sin(5t)
in the (x1 , x2 )-plane with t [0, 2].

Problem 44. A special set of coordinates on S n called spheroconical (or
elliptic spherical) coordinates are defined as follows: For a given set of real
numbers 1 < 2 < < n+1 and nonzero x1 , . . ., xn+1 the coordinates
j (j = 1, . . . , n) are the solutions of the equation
n+1
X
j=1
x2j
.
j
Find the solutions for n = 2.

Given the surface in R3

cos(), 1 + t cos
sin(), t sin
f (t, ) =
1 + t sin
2
2
2
Problem 45.
where t (1/2, 1/2) and R.

(i) Build three models of this using paper, glue and a scissor. Color the
first model with the South African flag. For the second model keep t fixed
(say t = 0) and cut the second model along the parameter. For the third
model keep fixed (say = 0) and cut the model along the t parameter.
Submit all three models.
(ii) Describe the curves with respect to t for fixed. Describe the curves
with respect to for t fixed.
(iii) The map given above can also be written in the form

cos()
x(t, ) = 1 + t sin
2

sin()
y(t, ) = 1 + t cos
2
z(t, ) = t sin( ).
2
For fixed t the curve (x(), y(), z()) can be considered as a solution of an
system of first order differential equations. Find this system, where t plays
the role of a bifurcation parameter.
Problem 46. Let Rn be the n-dimensional Euclidean space and n 2.
Let r N or , I be a non-empty interval of real numbers and t in I. A
vector-valued function
: I Rn
13
of class C r (this means that is r times continuously differentiable) is called

a parametric curve of class C r of the curve . t is called the parameter of
the curve . The parameter t may represent time and the curve (t) as
the trajectory of a moving particle in space. If I is a closed interval [a, b],
then (a) the starting point and (b) is the endpoint of the curve . If
: (a, b) Rn is injective, we call the curve simple. If is a parametric
curve which can be locally described as a power series, we call the curve
analytic or of class C . A C k -curve
: [a, b] Rn
is called regular of order m if for any t in interval I
{d(t)/dt, d2 (t)/dt2 , ..., dm (t)/dtm }
mk
are linearly independent in the vector space R . A Frenet frame is a moving

reference frame of n orthonormal vectors ej (t) (j = 1, . . . , n) which are used
to describe a curve locally at each point (t). Using the Frenet frame we
can describe local properties (e.g. curvature, torsion) in terms of a local
reference system than using a global one like the Euclidean coordinates.
Given a C n+1 -curve in Rn which is regular of order n the Frenet frame for
the curve is the set of orthonormal vectors
e1 (t), . . . , en (t)
called Frenet vectors. They are constructed from the derivatives of (t) using
the GramSchmidt orthogonalization algorithm with
e1 (t) =
d(t)/dt
,
kd(t)/dtk
where
ej (t) =
(j)
ej (t) =
ej (t)
,
kej (t)k
j = 2, . . . , n
j1
X
(t)
h (j) (t), ei (t)i ei (t)
i=1
where (j) denotes the j derivative with respect to t and h , i denotes the
scalar product in the Euclidean space Rn . The Frenet frame is invariant
under reparametrization and are therefore differential geometric properties
of the curve. Find the Frenet frame for the curve (t R)
cos(t)
(t) = t .
sin(t)
Problem 47. Show that the Lemniscate of Gerono x41 = x21 x22 can be
parametrized by
(x1 (t), x2 (t)) = (sin(t), sin(t) cos(t))

where 0 t .
Problem 48.
Study the curve

c1
x1 (t) = cos c0 t +
sin(t)

c1
x2 (t) = sin c0 t +
sin(t)
in the plane with c0 , c1 , > 0, where c0 , c1 , have the dimension of a

frequency and t is the time.
Problem 49. The Hammer projection is an equal-area cartographic projections thatmaps the
entire surface of a sphere to the interior of an ellipse
of semiaxis 8 and 2. The Hammer projection is given by the transformation between (, ) and (x1 , x2 )
8 sin() sin(/2)
2 cos()
x1 (, ) = p
, x2 (, ) = p
1 + sin() cos(/2)
1 + sin() cos(/2)
where 0 and 0 < 2.
(i) Show that x21 /8 + x22 /2 < 1.
(ii) Find (x1 , x2 ) and (x1 , x2 ).
Problem 50.
Consider the surface in R3

x21 + x22 x23 = 1.
Show that parametrization of this surface is given by

x1 (u1 , u2 ) = cosh(u1 ) cos(u2 ),
x2 (u1 , u2 ) = cosh(u1 ) sin(u2 ),
x3 (u1 , u2 ) = sinh(u1 )
where 1 1 and u2 .
Problem 51.
(i) Let R > 0. Study the manifold

x21
2
R e
x22
2
R e
x23
=1
R2 e2
where is a deformation parameter.

(ii) Show that the volume V of the spheroid is given by V = (4/3)R3 .
Problem 52.
Plot the graph

r() = 1 + 2 cos(2).

Problem 53.
x1 (u, v) = a
15
Let a > 0. Consider
1 v2
cos(u),
1 + v2
x2 (u, v) = a
1 v2
sin(u),
1 + v2
x3 (u, v) = a
2v
.
1 + v2
(i) Show that

x21 (u, v) + x22 (u, v) + x23 (u, v) = a2 .
(ii) Calculate
x x
u
v
where denotes the vector product. Discuss.
Problem 54.
Show that the helicoid

x(u, v) = (a sinh(v) cos(u), a sinh(v) sin(u), au)
is a minimal surface.
Problem 55.
The Enneper surface is given by
x1 (u1 , u2 ) = 3u2 3u21 u2 +u32 ,
x2 (u1 , u2 ) = 3u1 3u1 u22 +u31 ,
x3 (u1 , u2 ) = 6u1 u2 .
Show that the affine invariants are given by

F (u1 , u2 ) = k(1 + u21 + u22 ),
where k = 3 6.
Problem 56.
A(u1 , u2 ) = 2ku2 ,
B(u1 , u2 ) = 2ku1
(i) Show that the map f : (/4, 7/4) R2

sin() cos(2)
f () =
cos() cos(2)
is an injective immersion.
(ii) Show that the image of f is an injectively immersed submanifold.
Problem 57.
Let t (0, 1). Minimal Thomson surfaces are given by
x1 (u1 , u2 ) = (1 t2 )1/2 (tu2 + cos(u1 ) sinh(u2 ))

x2 (u1 , u2 ) = (1 t2 )1/2 (u1 + t sin(u1 ) cosh(u2 ))
x3 (u1 , u2 ) = sin(u1 ) sinh(u2 ).
Show that the corresponding affine invariants are
F (u1 , u2 ) = (1 t2 )1/2 (cosh(u2 ) + t cos(u1 ))
A(u1 , u2 ) = (1 t2 )1/2 sinh(u2 )
B(u1 , u2 ) = t(1 t2 )1/2 sin(u1 ).

Problem 58.
Let n be a positive integer. Consider the manifold

)
(
2

1
1
2
2
+y = 2 .
Cn := (x, y) R : x
n
n
We have a circle in the plane with radius 1/n and centre (1/n, 0). Find a
area of the circle.
Problem 59.
Describe the set

S = { (x, y) R : sin(y) cosh(x) = 1 }.
Then study the complex numbers given by z = x + iy with x, y S.

Problem 60.
Consider the two manifolds

x21 + x22 = 1,
y12 + y22 = 1.
Show that
|x1 y1 + x2 y2 | 1.
Hint. Set
x1 (t) = cos(t),
x2 (t) = sin(t),
y1 (t) = cos( ),
y2 (t) = sin( ).
Problem 61. Consider the two-dimensional Euclidean space and the

metric tensor field in polar coordinates
g = dr dr + r2 d d.
Let u R and R > 0. Consider the transformation
(r, ) 7 (eu/R , ).
Find the metric tensor field.
Problem 62.
Consider the analytic function f : R3 R

f (x1 , x2 , x3 ) = 3x21 + 4x2 + x3
and the smooth surface in R3

S = { (x1 , x2 , x3 ) : f (x1 , x2 , x3 ) = 2 }.
(i) Show that p = (1, 1, 9) R3 satisfies f (x1 , x2 , x3 ) = 2,
17
(ii) Find the normal vector n at p.

(iii) Let
v1
v = v2 .
v3
Calculate vT (f )p . Find the conditions on v1 , v2 , v3 such that vT (f )p =
0 and
Tp = { v : vT (f )p = 0 }.
Problem 63.
Consider the space cardioid
x1 (t)
(1 cos(t)) cos(t)
x(t) = x2 (t) = (1 cos(t)) sin(t) .
x3 (t)
sin(t)
Find the curvature and torsion.

Problem 64.
Let
L3 = SU (2) \ SL(2, C)
be the homogeneous space of second order unimodular hermitian positive

definite matrices. This is model of the classical Lobachevsky space. Let
gjk C with j, k = 1, 2. We define

g=
g11
g21
g12
g22

,
g11 g22 g12 g21 = 1.
Now any x L3 can be written as

g11 g11 + g21 g21
x = g g =
g11 g12 + g21 g22
g11 g12 + g21 g22

g12 g12 + g22 g22

.
Find det(x).
Problem 65.
Let R. Consider the 2 2 matrix

f11 () f12 ()
F () =
f21 () f22 ()
with fjk : R R be analytic functions. Let

dF ()
df11 ()/d
=
X :=
df21 ()/d
d =0

df12 ()/d
df22 ()/d =0

Find the conditions on the functions fjk such that
exp(X) = F ().
0
Apply the Cayley-Hamilton theorem. Set fjk
(0) = dfjk ()/d|=0 and
0
0
tr := f11
(0) + f22
(0),
Problem 66.
0
0
0
0
det := f11
(0)f22
(0) f12
(0)f21
(0).
Consider the differential equation

dy
dx
3
+x
dy
y =0
dx
with the solution y(x) = Cx + C 3 . The singular solution is given by 4x3 +

27y 2 = 0 as can be seen as follows. Differentiation of 4x3 + 27y 2 = 0 yields
ydy/dx + (2/9)x2 = 0. Inserting this equation into the differential equation
provides
8x6
2 2x3 y 2 9y 4 = 0
9
3
2
which is satisfied with y 2 = 4x3 /27. Draw the curve F (x,
y) = 4x +27y .
Find the equation of the tangent at x0 = 1, y0 = 2/(3 3).
Problem 67.
A four-dimensional torus S 3 S 1 can be defined as

q
( x21 + x22 + x23 + x24 a)2 + w2 = 1
where a > 1 is the constant radius of S 3 .

(i) Show that the four-dimensional torus can be parametrized as
x1 (, , 1 , 2 ) = (a + cos()) cos(1 )
x2 (, , 1 , 2 ) = (a + cos()) sin(1 )
p
x3 (, , 1 , 2 ) = (a + cos()) 1 2 cos(2 )
p
x4 (, , 1 , 2 ) = (a + cos()) 1 2 sin(2 )
w(, , 1 , 2 ) = sin()
where 1 [0, 2], 2 [0, 2], [0, 2], [0, 1].
(ii) Find the metric tensor field gS 3 S 1 starting of with
g = dx1 dx1 + dx2 dx2 + dx3 dx3 + dx4 dx4 + dw dw.
Chapter 2
Vector Fields and Lie

Series
Problem 1.
Consider the vector fields

V =x
+y ,
x
y
W =x
y
y
x
defined on R2 .
(i) Do the vector fields V, W form a basis of a Lie algebra? If so, what type
of Lie algebra do we have.
(ii) Express the two vector fields in polar coordinates x(r, ) = r cos(),
y(r, ) = r sin().
(iii) Calculate the commutator of the two vector fields expressed in polar
coordinates. Compare with the result of (i).
Problem 2.

V1 =
d
,
dx
V2 = x
d
,
dx
V3 = x2
d
.
dx
(i) Show that the vector fields form a basis of a Lie algebra under the
commutator.
(ii) Find the adjoint representation of this Lie algebra.
(iii) Find the Killing form.
(iv) Find the Casimir operator.
19

Problem 3.
sin
+
cot sin
sin
cos
V2 = sin
+
cot cos
sin
V3 =
.
V1 = cos
Calculate the commutators and show that V1 , V2 , V3 form a basis of a Lie

algebra.
Problem 4.
commutator
Let X1 , X2 , . . . , Xr be the basis of a Lie algebra with the

r
X
[Xi , Xj ] =
k
Cij
Xk
k=1
k
Cij
where the
are the structure constants. The structure constants satisfy
(third fundamental theorem)
k
k
Cij
= Cji
r
X

m `
m `
m `
Cij
Cmk + Cjk
Cmi + Cki
Cmj = 0 .
m=1
We replace the Xi s by c-number differential operators (vector fields)

Xi 7 Vi =
r X
r
X
k
xk Ci`
`=1 k=1
Let
Vj =
r X
r
X
,
x`
m
xm Cjn
n=1 m=1
Show that
[Vi , Vj ] =
n
X
i = 1, 2, . . . , r.
.
xn
k
Cij
Vk
k=1
where
Vk =
r X
r
X
m
xm Ckn
n=1 m=1
Problem 5.
.
xn
Consider the vector fields (differential operators)

E=x
,
y
F =y
,
x
H=x
y .
x
y
Vector Fields and Lie Series
21
Show that these vector fields form a basis of a Lie algebra, i.e. calculate
the commutators. Consider the basis for n Z
{ xj y k : j, k Z, j + k = n }.
Find E(xj y k ), F (xj y k ), H(xj y k ).
Problem 6.
Show that the sets of vector fields

2
, x , x
x
x
x

, x
+ u , x2
+ 2xu
x
x
u
x
u

2
2
+
, x
+u , x
+u
x u
x
u
x
u
form each a basis of the Lie algebra s`(2, C) under the commutator.
Problem 7. Consider the Lie algebra o(3, 2). Show that the vector fields
form a basis of this Lie algebra
V1 =
,
t
V2 = t
1
+ x ,
t 2 x
V3 = t2
+ tx
+ x2
t
x 4 u
, V5 = t
+ x , V6 =
x
x 2 u
u
1
1 2
1
1
+ u , V8 = xt + (tu + x )
+ xu
V7 = x
2 x
u
2 t
4
x 2 u
1 2
V9 = x
+ ux
+ u2 , V10 = x + u .
4 t
x
u
2 t
x
Show that the vector fields V1 , . . . , V7 form a Lie subalgebra.
V4 =
Problem 8.
commutator
Let X1 , X2 , . . . , Xr be the basis of a Lie algebra with the

[Xi , Xj ] =
r
X
k
Cij
Xk
k=1
k
Cij
where the
are the structure constants. The structure constants satisfy
(third fundamental theorem)
k
k
Cij
= Cji
r
X
m=1

m `
m `
m `
Cij
Cmk + Cjk
Cmi + Cki
Cmj = 0 .

We replace the Xi s by c-number differential operators (linear vector fields)
Xi 7 Vi =
r X
r
X
k
xk Ci`
`=1 k=1
,
x`
i = 1, 2, . . . , r.
which preserve the commutators.

Consider the Lie algebra with r = 3 and the generators X1 , X2 , X3 and
the commutators
[X1 , X3 ] = X1 ,
[X2 , X3 ] = X2 .
All other commutators are 0. The Lie algebra is solvable. Find the corresponding linear vectors fields. Find the smooth functions f such that
Vj f (x) = 0
Problem 9.
for all j = 1, 2, 3.
Let V , W be two smooth vector fields
+ f2
+ f3
u1
u2
u3
W = g1
+ g2
+ g3
u1
u2
u3
V = f1
defined on R3 . Let du/dt = f (u) and du/dt = g(u) be the corresponding

autonomous system of first order differential equations. The fixed points
of V are defined by the solutions of the equations fj (u1 , u2 , u3 ) = 0 (j =
1, 2, 3) and the fixed points of W are defined as the solutions of the equations
gj (u1 , u2 , u3 ) = 0 (j = 1, 2, 3). What can be said about the fixed points of
[V, W ]?
Problem 10.
Consider the nonlinear differential equations

du
= u2 u,
dt
du
= sin(u).
dt
with the corresponding vector fields

V = (u2 u)
d
,
du
W = sin(u)
d
.
du
(i) Show that both differential equations admit the fixed point u = 0.
(ii) Consider the vector field given by the commutator of the two vector
fields V and W , i.e. [V, W ]. Show that the corresponding differential equation of this vector field also admits the fixed point u = 0.

Problem 11.
23
Let z C. Consider the vector field

Ln := z n+1
d
,
dz
nZ
Calculate the commutator [Lm , Ln ].

Problem 12.
,
ujk
ujm
,
ujk
u`k
,
ujk
ujm u`k
ujk
where j = 1, 2, . . . , p; k = 1, 2, . . . , n; m = 1, 2, . . . , n; ` = 1, 2, . . . , p. Find
the commutators. Do the vector fields form a basis of a Lie algebra. Discuss.
Problem 13.

V1 =
,
r
V2 =
1
,
r
V3 =
.
r sin()
Find the commutators

[V1 , V2 ],
Problem 14.
[V2 , V3 ],
[V3 , V1 ].
Show that the differential operators (vector fields)
+x ,
y
z
+z ,
y
z
(xy z)
+ y2
+ yz
x
y
z
generate a finite-dimensional Lie algebra.

Problem 15.
Consider smooth vector fields in R3
+ V2 (x)
+ V3 (x)
x1
x2
x3
+ W2 (x)
+ W3 (x)
.
W = W1 (x)
x1
x2
x3
V = V1 (x)
Now
V3
V1
x2
V1
curl V2 = x3
V2
V3
x1
V2
x3
V3
x1
V1
x2
W3
W1
x2
W1
curl W2 =
x3
W2
W3
x1
W2
x3
W3
x1
W1
x2
We consider now the smooth vector fields

Vc = (
V3
V2
V1
V3
V2
V1
)
+(
)
+(
)
x2
x3 x1
x3
x1 x2
x1
x2 x3

W3
W2
W1
W3
W2
W1
)
+(
)
+(
)
.
x2
x3 x1
x3
x1 x2
x1
x2 x3
Note that if
= V1 (x)dx1 + V2 (x)dx2 + V3 (x)dx3
Wc = (
then

d =
V1
V2
x1
x2

dx1 dx2 +
V1
V3
x3
x1

V3
V2
dx3 dx1 +
dx2 dx3 .
x2
x3
(i) Calculate the commutator [Vc , Wc ]. Assume that [V, W ] = 0. Can we

conclude [Vc , Wc ] = 0 ?
(ii) Assume that [V, W ] = R. Can we conclude that [Vc , Wc ] = Rc ?
Problem 16.
Consider the first order ordinary differential equation

du
=u+1
dt
with the corresponding vector field

V = (u + 1)
d
.
du
Calculate the map

u 7 exp(tV )u.
Solve the inital value problem of the differential equation and compare.
Problem 17.
+ (u1 + u2 u3 )
+ (1 + u23 )
u1
u2
u3
V2 = (1 + u21 )
+ (u1 u2 + u3 )
+ (u2 + u1 u3 )
u1
u2
u3
V3 = (u1 u2 u3 )
+ (1 + u22 )
+ (u1 + u2 u3 )
.
u1
u2
u3
V1 = (u2 + u1 u3 )
Find the commutators [V1 , V2 ], [V2 , V3 ], [V3 , V1 ] and thus show that we have
a basis if the Lie algebra so(3, R).
Problem 18. Let { , } denote the Poisson bracket. Consider the functions
S1 =
1 2
(x + p21 x22 p22 ),
4 1
S2 =
1
(p1 p2 + x1 x2 ,
2
S3 =
1
(x1 p2 x2 p1 ).
2
Calculate {S1 , S2 }, {S2 , S3 }, {S3 , S1 } so thus estabilish that we have a basis

of a Lie algebra. Classify the Lie algebra.

Problem 19.
V1 =
25
Consider the vector fields in R2
,
x
V2 = x
+y ,
x
y
V3 = (x2 y 2 )
+ 2xy .
x
y
Find the fixed points of the corresponding autonomous systems of first order
differential equations. Study their stability.
Problem 20.
V12 = x2
Consider in R3 the vector fields
x1
,
x1
x2
V23 = x3
x2
,
x2
x3
V31 = x1
x3
x3
x1
with the commutators

[V12 , V23 ] = V31 ,
[V23 , V31 ] = V12 ,
[V31 , V12 ] = V23 .
Thus we have a basis of the simple Lie algebra so(3, R).

(i) Find the curl of these vector fields.
(ii) Let
= dx1 dx2 dx3
be the volume form in R3 . Find the differential two-forms
V12 c,
V23 c,
V31 c.
(iii) Let * be the Hodge star operator. Find the one forms
(V12 c),
(V23 c),
(V31 c).
Problem 21. The Kustaanheimo-Stiefel transformation is defined by the

map from R4 (coordinates u1 , u2 , u3 , u4 ) to R3 (coordinates x1 , x2 , x3 )
x1 (u1 , u2 , u3 , u4 ) = 2(u1 u3 u2 u4 )
x2 (u1 , u2 , u3 , u4 ) = 2(u1 u4 + u2 u3 )
x3 (u1 , u2 , u3 , u4 ) = u21 + u22 u23 u24
together with the constraint
u2 du1 u1 du2 u4 du3 + u3 du4 = 0.
(i) Show that
r2 = x21 + x22 + x23 = u21 + u22 + u23 + u24 .
(ii) Show that
3 =
1
1
4 2 V 2
4r
4r

where
3 =
2
2
2
+
+
,
2
2
x1
x2
x23
4 =
2
2
2
2
+
+
+
2
2
2
u1
u2
u3
u24
and V is the vector field

V = u2
u1
u4
+ u3
.
u1
u2
u3
u4
(iii) Consider the differential one form

= u2 du1 u1 du2 u4 du3 + u3 du4 .
Find d. Find LV , where LV (.) denotes the Lie derivative.
(iv) Let g(x1 (u1 , u2 , u3 , u4 ), x2 (u1 , u2 , u3 , u4 ), x3 (u1 , u2 , u3 , u4 )) be a smooth
function. Show that LV g = 0.
Problem 22. Give four different representations of the simple Lie algebra
s`(2, R) using vector fields V1 , V2 , V3 which have to satisfy
[V1 , V2 ] = V1 ,
[V2 , V3 ] = V3 ,
[V1 , V3 ] = 2V2 .
Problem 23. (i) Let n 1. The Heisenberg group Hn can be considered

as C R endowed with a polynomial group law : Hn Hn Hn . Its
Lie algebra identifies with the tangent space T0 Hn at the identity 0 HN .
Consider the tangent bundle T Hn , where
Xj (p) :=
yj
,
xj
2 t
Yj (p) :=
xj
,
yj
2 t
T (p) :=
and p Hn . Find the commutators of the vector fields

[Xj , Yk ],
[Xj , T ],
[Yj , T ].
(ii) Consider the differential one-form

n
:= dt +
1X
(yj dxj xj dyj )
2 j=1
which is the contact form of Hn . Find the Lie derivatives

LXj ,
LYj ,
LT .
LYj d,
LT d.
Find d and the Lie derivatives

LXj d,

Problem 24.
27
Consider the smooth vector fields in Rn
V =
n
X
ajk xj
j,k=1
,
xk
n
X
W =
cjk` xj xk
j,k,`=1
x`
where ajk , cjk` R. Find the conditions on ajk and cjk` such that [V, W ] =
0.
Problem 25.
Find two smooth vector fields V and W in Rn such that

[[W, V ], V ] = 0
but
[W, V ] 6= 0.
Find two n n matrices A and B such that

[[B, A], A] = 0
but
[B, A] 6= 0.
Problem 26. Let f : R R be an analytic function. Calculate

d
d
d
, exp i
2 , exp i
f ().
exp i
d
d
d
Problem 27.
Do the vector fields
,
x
,
t
+x
x
t
form a basis of a Lie algebra under the commutator?

Problem 28.
Give a vector field V in R3 such that

V curlV 6= 0.
Give a vector field V in R3 such that

V curlV = 0.
Problem 29. Let f1 : R2 R, f2 : R2 R be analytic function.

Consider the analytic vector fields
V = f1 (x1 , x2 )
in R2 .
+
,
x1
x2
W =
+ f2 (x1 , x2 )
x1
x2

(i) Find the conditions on f1 and f2 such that [V, W ] = 0.
(ii) Find the conditions on f1 and f2 such that [V, W ] = V + W .
Problem 30.
V1 =
Show that the vector fields
,
x
V2 = x
+y ,
x
y
V3 = (y 2 x2 )
2xy
x
y
form a basis for the Lie algebra s`(2, R). Solve the initial value problem for
the autonomous system
dx
= y 2 x2 ,
dt
dy
= 2xy.
dt
Problem 31.

x1
V1 =
, V2 = x0
+
+ x2
+ x3
x0
x0
3
x1
x2
x3
V3 = x3
x2
,
x2
x3
V4 = x1
x3
,
x3
x1
V5 = x2
x1
.
x1
x2
Find the commutators and thus show we have a basis of a Lie algebra.
Problem 32.
Let , > 0. Consider the transformation to threedimensional parabolic coordinates
x1 (, , ) = cos(),
x2 (, , ) = sin(),
x3 (, , ) =
1 2
( 2 ).
2
Let
g = dx1 dx1 + dx2 dx2 + dx3 dx3 .
Show that under this transformation
g = ( 2 + 2 )d d + ( 2 + 2 )d d + 2 2 d d.
Problem 33.
Consider the Darboux-Halphen system
dx1
= x2 x3 x1 x2 x3 x1 ,
dt
dx2
= x3 x1 x1 x2 x2 x3 ,
dt
dx3
= x1 x2 x3 x1 x2 x3
dt
with the corresponding vector field

V = (x2 x3 x1 x2 x3 x1 )
+(x3 x1 x1 x2 x2 x3 )
+(x1 x2 x3 x1 x2 x3 )
.
x1
x2
x3
29
(i) Is the autonomous system of differential equations invariant under the

transformation ( 6= 0)

(t, xj ) 7
t +
t +
(t + )2
, 2
+
xj
t +

with j = 1, 2, 3.
(ii) Consider the vector fields
U = 2(x1
+ x2
+ x3
),
x1
x2
x3
W =
+
+
.
x1
x2
x3
Find the commutators [U, V ], U, W ], [V, W ]. Do we have basis of a Lie

algebra? Discuss.
with the
Problem 34. (i) Consider the vector field V1 (x1 , x2 ) = x2 x
1
corresponding autonmous system of differential equations
dx1
= x2 ,
d
dx2
= 0.
d
Find the solution of the initial value problem. Discuss.

x2
(ii) Consider the vector field V3 (x1 , x2 ) = 21 x
with the corresponding
2
autonmous system of differential equations
dx1
= 0,
d
dx2
= x21 .
d
Find the solution of the intial value problem. Discuss.

(iii) Find the vector field V3 = [V1 , V2 ], where [ , ] denotes the commutator.
Write down the corresponding autonmous system of differential equations
and solve the initial value problem. Discuss.
(iv) Find the vector field V4 = V1 + V2 and write down the corresponding autonmous system of differential equations and solve the initial value
problem. Discuss.
Problem 35.
(i) Find the Lie algebra generated by

V 1 = x2
,
x2
V2 = x2
.
x1
(ii) Let c be a constant. Find the Lie algebra generated by

V 1 = x2
+ cx3
,
x2
x3
V2 = x2
,
x1
V3 = cx3
.
x1

Problem 36. Consider the autonomous system of first order ordinary
differential equations
du1
= u1 u3 ,
dt
du2
= u2 u3 ,
dt
du3
= u21 u22
dt
with the vector field

V = u1 u3
Show that
I1 =
+ u2 u3
+ (u21 u22 )
.
u1
u2
u3
1
(u1 + u2 + u3 ),
2
I2 = u1 u2
are first integrals.

Problem 37.
Calculate
Let R. Let f : R R be an analytic function.

d
d
cosh
f (x),
sinh
f (x).
dx
dx
Chapter 3
Metric Tensor Fields
Problem 1.
Let a > b > 0 and define f : R2 R3 by
f (, ) = ((a + b cos ) cos , (a + b cos ) sin , b sin ).

The function f is a parametrized torus T 2 in R3 . Consider the metric tensor
field
g = dx1 dx1 + dx2 dx2 + dx3 dx3 .
(i) Calculate g|T 2 .
(ii) Calculate the Christoffel symbols m
ab from g|T 2 .
(iii) Calculate the curvature.
(iv) Give the differential equations for the geodesics.
Problem 2. The two-dimensional de Sitter space V with the topology
R S may be visualized as a one-sheet hyperboloid Hr0 embedded in 3dimensional Minkowski space M, i.e.
Hr0 = {(y 0 , y 1 , y 2 ) M : (y 2 )2 + (y 1 )2 (y 0 )2 = r02 , r0 > 0 }
where r0 is the parameter of the one-sheet hyperboloid Hr0 . The induced
metric, g (, = 0, 1), on Hr0 is the de Sitter metric.
(i) Show that we can parametrize (parameters and ) the hyperboloid as
follows
y 0 (, ) =
r0 cos(/r0 )
,
sin(/r0 )
y 1 (, ) =
where 0 < < r0 and 0 < 2r0 .

31
r0 cos(/r0 )
,
sin(/r0 )
y 2 (, ) =
r0 sin(/r0 ))
sin(/r0 )

(ii) Using this parametrization find the metric tensor field induced on Hr0 .
Problem 3.
Consider the metric tensor field

g = dZ dZ dT dT + dW dW.
Consider the parametrization

Z(z, t) = cosh(z) cos(t)
T (z, t) = cosh(z) sin(t)
W (z, t) = sinh(z).
(i) Find Z 2 + T 2 W 2 .
(ii) Express g using this parametrization.
Problem 4.
The anti-de Sitter space is defined as the surface

X 2 + Y 2 + Z 2 U 2 V 2 = 1
embedded in a five-dimensional flat space with the metric tensor field

g = dX dX + dY dY + dZ dZ dU dU dV dV.
This is a solution of Einsteins equations with the cosmological constant
= 3. Its intrinsic curvature is constant and negative. Find the metric
tensor field in terms of the intrinsic coordinates (, , , t) where
X(, , , t) =
Y (, , , t) =
Z(, , , t) =
U (, , , t) =
V (, , , t) =
2
1 2
2
1 2
2
1 2
1 + 2
1 2
1 + 2
1 2
sin cos
sin sin
cos
cos t
sin t
where 0 < 1, 0 < 2, 0 < , t < .

Problem 5.
Consider the Poincare upper half-plane

2
H+
:= { (x, y) R2 : y > 0 }
33
with metric tensor field

g=
1
1
1
1
dx dx + dy dy
y
y
y
y
which is conformal with the standard inner product. Find the curvature
forms.
Problem 6. Consider the manifold M of the upper space x2 > 0 of R2
endowed with the metric tensor field
g=
dx1 dx1 + dx2 dx2

.
x22
Show that the metric tensor field admits the symmetry (x1 , x2 ) (x1 , x2 )
and the transformation (z = x1 + ix2 )
z z0 =
az + b
,
cz + d
a, b, c, d R,
ad bc = 1
preserve the metric tensor field. Find the Gaussian curvature of g.

Problem 7. Consider the manifold M of the upper space xn > 0 of Rn
endowed with the metric tensor field
g=
dx1 dx1 + + dxn dxn

.
x2n
Find the Gaussian curvature.

Problem 8. The Klein bagel (figure 8 immersion) is a specific immersion
of the Klein bootle manifold into three dimensions. The figure 8 immersion
has the parametrization
x(u, v) = (r + cos(u/2) sin(v) sin(u/2) sin(2v)) cos(u)
y(u, v) = (r + cos(u/2) sin(v) sin(u/2) sin(2v)) sin(u)
z(u, v) = sin(u/2) sin(v) + cos(u/2) sin(2v)
where r is a positive constant and 0 u < 2, 0 v < 2. Find the
Riemann curvature of the Klein bagel.
Problem 9.
Consider the compact differentiable manifold S 3

S 3 := { (x1 , x2 , x3 , x4 ) : x21 + x22 + x23 + x24 = 1 }
and the metric tensor field

g = dx1 dx1 + dx2 dx2 + dx3 dx3 + dx4 dx4 .

(i) Express g using the following parametrization
x1 (, , ) = cos() cos()
x2 (, , ) = sin() cos()
x3 (, , ) = cos() sin()
x4 (, , ) = sin() sin()
where 0 /2, 0 , 2.
(ii) Now S 3 is the manifold of the compact Lie group SU (2). Thus we can
define the vector fields (angular momentum operators)
1
cos( + )(tan
cot ) sin( + )
2
L2 = sin( + )(tan
cot ) + cos( + )
2

L3 =
+
.

L1 =
Find the commutation relation [Lj , Lk ] for j, k = 1, 2, 3.

(iii) Find the dual basis of L1 , L2 , L3 .
Problem 10.

g = dx1 dx1 + dx2 dx2 + dx3 dx3 .
The parabolic set of unit-less coordinates (u, v, ) is defined by a transformation of Cartesian coordinates (0 u , 0 v and 0 2)
x1 (u, v, ) = auv cos ,
x2 (u, v, ) = auv sin ,
x3 (u, v, ) =
1
a(u2 v 2 ).
2
Express g using this parabolic coordinates.

Problem 11.
g = cdt0 cdt0 dx0 dx0 dy0 dy0 dz0 dz0

and the transformation
t0 = t
x0 = r cos( + t)
y0 = r sin( + t)
z0 = z.
35
Express g in the new coordinates t, r, z, .

Problem 12. Consider the upper half-plane {(x1 , x2 ) : x2 > 0} endowed
with the metric tensor field
g=
1
(dx1 dx1 + dx2 dx2 )
x22
defines a two-dimensional Riemann manifold.

(i) Show that the Gaussian curvature is given by R = 1.
(ii) Find the surface element dS and the Laplace operater .
(iii) Consider the conformal mapping from the upper half-plane {z = x1 +
ix2 : x2 > 0} to the unit disk {w = rei : r 1}
w(z) =
iz + 1
.
z+i
Express g in r and .
Problem 13.
(i) Consider the metric tensor field
g(u1 , u2 ) = du1 du1 + e2u1 du2 du2 ,
< u1 , u2 < +.
Show that Gaussian curvature K(u1 , u2 ) has the value 1.

(ii) Consider the transformation
x1 (u1 , u2 ) = u2 ,
x2 (u1 , u2 ) = eu2 .
Express g using the coordinates x1 , x2 .

(iii) Consider the transformation
x1 (, ) = x10 + cos(),
x2 (, ) = sin()
where x10 is a constant. Express g in and

Problem 14. Let N 2 and a > 0. An N -dimensional Riemann manifold of constant negative Gaussian curvature K = 1/a2 is described by
the metric tensor field
r
dN 1 dN 1
g = dr dr + a2 sinh
a
where r [0, ) measures the distance to the origin and dN 1 dN 1
denotes the metric tensor field of the unit sphere SN 1 .
(i) Show that volume element dV is covariantly defined as

r N 1
dVN = a sinh
drdN 1
a

where dN 1 is the surface element of the unit-sphere SN 1 .
(ii) Show that the radial part r of the Laplace operator for the metric
tensor field given above is

1
N 1
(sinh(r/a))
.
r =
(sinh(r/a))N 1 r
r
Problem 15.
The Poincare upper half-plane is defined as

H := { = x + iy : x R, y > 0 }
together with the metric tensor field

g=
1
(dx dx + dy dy).
y2
(i) Show that under the Cayley transfom

=
iz + i
,
z+1
z = x1 + ix2 =
+ i
+i
the Poincare upper half-plane is mapped onto the Poincare disc with metric
gjk =
2
diag(1, r2 ),
1 r2
r2 = x21 + x22 .
(ii) Show that under the transformation

= X + iY = ln(i) = 2 tan1 (z)
the Poincare upper half-plane is mapped onto the hyperbolic strip with
metric
1
gjk =
jk .
cos2 (Y )
Problem 16.
given by
Let R > 0 and fixed. The oblate spheroidal coordinates are

x1 (, , ) = R
(1 2 )( 2 + 1) cos()
x2 (, , ) = R
(1 2 )( 2 + 1) sin()
x3 (, , ) = R
where 1 1, 0 < , 0 2 with the x3 axis as the axis of
revolution. Express the metric tensor field
g = dx1 dx1 + dx2 dx2 + dx3 dx3
37
in oblate spheroidal coordinates.

Problem 17. Consider the manifold R3 . Let a, b, c > 0 and a 6= b, a 6= c,
b 6= c. The sphero-conical coordinates s2 , s3 are defined to be the roots of
the quadratic equation
x2
x2
x21
+ 2 + 3 = 0.
a+s b+s c+s
The first sphero-conical coordinate s1 is given as the sum of the squares
s1 = x21 + x22 + x23 .
The formula that expresses the Cartesian coordinates x1 , x2 , x3 through
s1 , s2 , s3 are
s1 (a + s2 )(a + s3 )
(a b)(a c)
s
(b
+ s2 )(b + s3 )
1
x22 =
(b a)(b c)
s
1 (c + s2 )(c + s3 )
.
x23 =
(c a)(c b)
x21 =
Given the metric tensor field

g = dx1 dx1 + dx2 dx2 + dx3 dx3 .
Express this metric tensor field using sphero-conical coordinates.
Problem 18.
g = dT dT + dX dX + dY dY + dZ dZ
and the invertible coordinates transformation (b > 0)
1
T (t, x, y, z) = (ebz cosh(bt) 1)
b
X(t, x, y, z) = x
Y (t, x, y, z) = y
1
Z(t, x, y, z) = ebz sinh(bt).
b
Express the metric tensor field in the new coordinates. Given the inverse
transformation.

Problem 19.

g = dT dT dX dX
where 0 < X < and < T < . Show that under the transformation
T (r, ) = r sinh(),
X(r, ) = r cosh()
(0 < r < , < < ) the metric tensor field takes the form (Rindler
chart)
g = r2 d d dr dr.
Problem 20.

g = e2(z) dt dt + dz dz.
The proper acceleration of a test particle at rest with respect to this metric
tensor field is given by /z. Hence if the gravitational potential has
the form (z) = az (a > 0) then all the test particles at rest have the
same acceleration of magnitude a in the positive z-direction. Show that
the metric tensor takes the form
g = (a)2 dt dt +
under the transformation
(z) =
1
d d
a2
1 az
e .
a
Problem 21. Show that the Killing vector fields of the metric tensor
field
g = a(t)dx dx + b(t)e2x (dy dy + dz dz) + dt dt
are given by
V1 =
V3 =
,
y
+y
+z ,
x
y
z
V2 =
V4 = z
+y .
y
z
Problem 22. Show that the de Sitter space is an exact solution of the
vacuum Einstein equation with a positive cosmological constant
1
R Rg + g = 0.
2
39
Problem 23. The cosmological constant is a dimensionful parameter

with unit of 1/(length)2 . Show that the metric tensor field
g = cd cd + e2c /a d d + a2 (d d + sin2 ()d d)
where a > 0 has the dimension of a length. Show that this metric tensor
field satisfies the vacuum Einstein equation with a positive cosmological
constant
1
R Rg + g = 0
2
p
where a = 1/ ().
Problem 24. The metric tensor field g of a weak, plane,elliptically polarized gravitional wave propagating in the x-direction can be written as
g = cdt cdt dx dx (1 h22 (x, t))dy dy (1 + h22 (x, t))dz dz
+h23 (x, t)dy dz + h23 (x, t)dz dy
where
h22 (x, t) = h sin(k(ct x) + ),
e
h23 (x, t) = e
h sin(k(ct x) + )
with k the wave vector, h, e

h the amplitudes and , e the initial phase.
They completely determine the state of the polarization of the gravitional
wave. Show that in terms of the retarded and advanced coordinates
u(x, t) =
1
(ct x),
2
v(x, t) =
1
(ct + x)
2
the coordinates y, z and v can be omitted.

Problem 25.
Consider the Poincare metric tensor field

g=
1
(dx dx + dy dy)
y2
Find the geodesic equations and solve them.

Problem 26.

g = cdt cdt dx dx
Express the metric in the coordinates u, v with

ct = a sinh(u) cosh(v),
with a > 0 and dimension meter.
x = a cosh(u) sinh(v)

Problem 27.
g = dT dT + dX dX + dY dY + dZ dZ
and the invertible coordinates transformation (b > 0)
T (t, x, y, z) =
1 bz
(e cosh(bt) 1),
b
X(t, x, y, z) = x,
1 bz
e sinh(bt).
b
Express the metric tensor field in the new coordinates. Given the inverse
transformation.
Y (t, x, y, z) = y,
Problem 28.
Z(t, x, y, z) =
Show that the metric tensor field
g = c2 (1 2a/r)dt dt dr dr r2 d d dz dz
is not a solution of Einsteins equation.
Problem 29.
field
Consider the Euclidean space R3 with there metric tensor

g = dx1 dx1 + dx2 dx2 + dx3 dx3 .
Let c1 , c2 , c3 > 0. The hyperboloid

x21
x2
x2
+ 22 23 = 1
2
c1
c2
c3
can be written in parameter form as
x1 (, ) = c1 cos() sec()
x2 (, ) = c2 sin() sec()
x3 (, ) = c3 tan()
where sec() = 1/ cos(). Find the metric tensor field for the hyperbolid.
Problem 30.
Consider the Kahler potential

n
X
1
z` z`
K = ln 1 +
2
`=1
Let
gj k = gkj
=
2K
.
zj zk

Find the metric tensor field.
Problem 31.
g = dx0 dx0 dx1 dx1 dx2 dx2 dx3 dx3

(x1 dx1 + x2 dx2 + x3 dx3 ) (x1 dx1 + x2 dx2 + x3 dx3 )
R2 (x21 + x22 + x23 )

where R is a positive constant and x0 = ct. Apply the transfomation
x1 (r, , , u) = R sin(r/R) sin() cos()
x2 (r, , , u) = R sin(r/R) sin() sin()
x3 (r, , , u) = R sin(r/R) cos()
x0 (r, , , u) = u + r.
41
Chapter 4
Differential Forms and

Applications
We denote by the exterior product. It is also called the wedge product or

Grassmann product. The exterior product is associative. We denote by d
the exterior derivative. The exterior derivative d is linear.
Problem 1. Let f , g be two smooth functions defined on R2 . Find the
differential two-form df dg.
Problem 2.
Consider the analytic functions f1 : R2 R, f2 : R2 R
f1 (x1 , x2 ) = x1 + x2 ,
f2 (x1 , x2 ) = x21 + x22 1.
(i) Find df1 and df2 . Then calculate df1 df2 .

(ii) Solve the system of equations
df1 df2 = 0,
Problem 3.
x21 + x22 1 = 0.
Consider the complex number z = rei . Calculate

dz dz
.
z
42
Differential Forms and Applications

Problem 4.
43
(i) Consider the differential one form

= x1 dx2 x2 dx1
on R2 . Show that is invariant under the transformation

0

x1
cos sin
x1
=
.
x02
sin cos
x2
Show that = dx1 dx2 is invariant under this transformation.
(ii) Let be the (n 1) differential form on Rn given by
=
n
X
dj dxn
(1)j1 xj dx1 dx
j=1
where b indicates omission. Show that is invariant under the orthogonal

group of Rn . Show that = dx1 dx2 dxn is invariant under the
orthogonal group.
Problem 5. Let f : R2 R2 be a smooth planar mapping with constant
Jacobian determinant J = 1, written as
Q = Q(p, q),
P = P (p, q).
For coordinates in R2 the (area) differential two-form is given as

= dp dq.
(i) Find f .
(ii) Show that pdq f (pdq) = dF for some smooth function F : R2 R.
Problem 6.
Consider the differential one-form in R3

= x1 dx2 + x2 dx3 + x3 dx1 .
Find d. Find the solutions of the equation d = 0.

Problem 7.
Consider the differential one-form in R3

= dx3 x2 dx1 dx2 .
Show that d 6= 0.
Problem 8.
forms
Let j, k, ` { 1, 2, . . . , n }. Consider the differential onejk :=
dzj dzk
.
zj zk

Calculate
jk k` + k` `j + `j jk .
Problem 9. Consider all 2 2 matrices with U U = I2 , det U = 1 i.e.,
U SU (2). Then U can be written as

U=
a
b
b
a

,
a, b C
with the constraint aa + bb = 1. Let

0

a
b
z1
z1
=
.
z20
b a
z2
Show that
(z10 )(z10 ) + (z20 )(z20 ) = z1 z1 + z2 z2 .
(ii) Consider

z10
z20

=
a
b
b
a

z1
z2

.
Show that dz10 dz20 = dz1 dz2 .

Problem 10. A transformation (q, p) (Q, P) is called symplectic if it
preserves the differential two-form
=
n
X
dqj dpj .
j=1
Consider the Hamilton function

H(q, p) =
M
|p|2
,
2
|q|
p :=
dq
dt
where and M are positive constants and p = (p1 , p2 )T , q = (q1 , q2 )T .

The phase space is R2 \ { 0 } R2 . The parameter is the reduced mass
m1 m2 /M . The symplectic two-form is
= dq1 dp1 + dq2 dp2 .
Show that is invariant under the transformation
f : ((r, ), (R, )) (q1 , q2 , p1 , p2 )
45
with
q1 (r, , R, ) = r cos
q2 (r, , R, ) = r sin
sin
r
p2 (r, , R, ) = R sin + cos .

r
p1 (r, , R, ) = R cos
Find the Hamilton function in this new symplectic variables.

Problem 11.
Consider the differential one-form

n
iX
(zj d
zj zj dzj ).
4 j=0
Let zj = xj + iyj . Find . Find d.

Problem 12.
Consider the vector space R3 and the smooth vector field

V = V1 (x)
+ V2 (x)
+ V3 (x)
.
x1
x2
x3
Given the differential two forms

1 = x1 dx2 dx3 ,
2 = x2 dx3 dx1 ,
3 = x3 dx1 dx2 .
Find the conditions on V1 , V2 , V3 such that the following three conditions

are satisfied
LV 1 V cd1 + d(V c1 ) = 0
LV 2 V cd2 + d(V c2 ) = 0
LV 3 V cd3 + d(V c3 ) = 0.
Then solve the initial value problem of the autonomous system of first order
differential equations corresponding to the vector field V .
Problem 13.
Let z = x + iy (x, y R). Find dz d

z and dz d
z.
Problem 14. Consider the vector space R3 . Find a differential one-form

such that d 6= 0 but d = 0.
Problem 15.
In vector analysis in R3 we have the identity

~ A
~ B)
~ Bcurl
~
~ Acurl
~
~
(
A
B.

Express this identity using differential forms, the exterior derivative and
the exterior product.
Problem 16.
Consider the differential n + 1 form
n
X
dj dxn +(divV )f dt
= df +dtdf (1)j+1 Vj (x, t)dx1 dx
j=1
where the circumflex indicates omission and = dx1 dxn . Here

f : Rn+1 R is a smooth function of x, t and V is a smooth vector field.
(i) Show that the sectioned form
n
X
dj dxn
e = df (x, t) + dt df (x, t) (1)j+1 Vj (x, t)dx1 dx

j=1
+(divV (x, t))f (x, t)dt

where we distinguish between the independent variables x1 , . . . , xn , t and
the dependent variable f leads using the requirement that
e = 0 to the
generalized Liouville equation.
(ii) Show that the differential form is closed, i.e. d = 0.
Problem 17. Let M = Rn and p Rn . Let Tp (Rn ) be the tangent space
at p. A differential one-form at p is a linear map from Tp (Rn ) into R.
This map satisfies the following properties
(Vp ) R,
for all Vp Rn
(aVp + bWp ) = a(Vp ) + b(Wp )
for all a, b R, Vp , Wp Tp (Rn ).
A differential one-form is a smooth choice of a linear map defined above

for each point p in the vector space Rn . Let f : R R be a real-valued
C (Rn ) function. One defines the df of the function f as the differential
one-form such that
df (V ) = V (f )
for every smooth vector field V in Rn . Thus at any point p, the differential
df of a smooth function f is an operator that assigns to a tangent vector Vp
the directional derivative of the function f in the direction of this vector,
i.e.
df (V )(p) = Vp (f ) = f (p) V (p).
If we apply the differential of the coordinate functions xj (j = 1, . . . , n) we
obtain

xj
cdxk =
= jk .
dxj
xk
xj
xk

(i) Let f : R2 R be
f (x1 , x2 ) = x21 + x22
and
V = x1
Find df (V ).
(ii) Let f : R2 R be
47
+ x2
.
x1
x2
f (x1 , x2 ) = x21 + x22
and
V = x1
x2
.
x2
x1
Find df (V ).
Problem 18.
form
Consider the manifold M = R4 and the differential two = dq1 dp1 + dq2 dp2 .
Let
= (a2 + p21 )dq1 dp2 p1 p2 (dq1 dp1 dq2 dp2 ) (b2 + p22 )dq2 dp1
where a and b are constants. Find d. Can d be written in the form
d = , where is a differential one-form?
Problem 19. A necessary and sufficient condition for the Pfaffian system
of equations
j = 0, j = 1, . . . , r
to be completely integrable is
dj 0 mod (1 , . . . , r ),
j = 1, . . . , r
Let
P1 (x)dx1 + P2 (x)dx2 + P3 (x)dx3 = 0
(1)
be a total differential equation in R3 , where P1 , P2 , P3 are analytic functions

on R3 . Complete integrabilty of means that in every sufficiently small
neighbourhood there exists a smooth function f such that
f (x1 , x2 , x3 ) = const
is a first integral of (1). A necessary and sufficient condition for (1) to be
completely integrable is
d = 0.

Problem 20.
Consider the differential one-form in space-time
= a1 (x)dx1 + a2 (x)dx2 + a3 (x)dx3 + a4 (x)dx4

with x = (x1 , x2 .x3 , x4 ) (x4 = ct).
(i) Find the conditions on the aj s such that d = 0.
(ii) Find the conditions on the aj s such that d 6= 0 and d = 0.
(iii) Find the conditions on the aj s such that d 6= 0 and d d = 0.
(iv) Find the conditions on the aj s such that d d 6= 0.
(v) Consider the metric tensor field
g = dx1 dx1 + dx2 dx2 + dx3 dx3 dx4 dx4 .
Find the condition such that d() = 0, where denotes the Hodge star
operator.
Problem 21.
Let z = x + iy, x, y R. Calculate

idz d
z.
Problem 22. Consider the manifold M = R2 and the metric tensor field
g = dx1 dx1 + dx2 dx2 . Let
= 1 (x)dx1 + 2 (x)dx2
be a differential one-form in M with 1 , 2 C (R2 ). Show that can be
written as
= d + +
where is a C (R2 ) function, is a two-form given by = b(x)dx1 dx2
(b(x) C (R2 )) and = 1 (x)dx1 + 2 (x)dx2 is a harmonic one-form, i.e.
(d + d) = 0. We define
:= (1) d .
Problem 23. Given a Lagrange function L. Show that the Cartan form
for a Lagrange function is given by

n
X
L
(dxj vj dt) .
(1)
= L(x, v, t)dt +
vj
j=1
Let
H=
n
X
j=1
vj
L
L,
vj
pj =
L
.
vj
(2)
49
Find the Cartan form for the Hamilton function.

Problem 24. Let x1 , x2 , . . . , xn be the independent variables. Let u1 (x),
u2 (x), . . . um (x) be the dependent variables. There are m n derivatives
uj (x)/xi . We introduce the coordinates
(xi , uj , uji ) (x1 , x2 , . . . , xn , u1 , u2 , . . . , ym , u11 , u12 , . . . , umn ).
Consider the n-differential form (called the Cartan form ) can be written
as

n X
n X
m
m
X
X
L
L
uj,i +
duj
c
= L
uj,i
uj,i
xi
i=1 j=1
i=1 j=1
where
:= dx1 dx2 . . . dxn .
Let
n X
m
X
L
H :=
uj,i L,
u
j,i
i=1 j=1
pji :=
L
.
uj,i
Show that we find the Cartan form for the Hamilton

:= Hdx1 dx2 . . . dxn1 dxn
n X
m
X
ci dxi+1 . . . dxn
+
pji dxju dx1 . . . dxi1 dx
i=1 j=1
where the hat indicates that this term is omitted.

Problem 25.
Consider the differential 2-form

=
4dz d
z
2
(1 + |z| )2
and the linear fractional transformations

z=
aw + b
,
cw + d
ad bc = 1.
What is the conditions on a, b, c, d such that is invariant under the transformation?

Problem 26.
Consider the two-dimensional sphere

S12 + S22 + S32 = S 2

where S > 0 is the radius of the sphere. Consider the symplectic structure
on this sphere with the symplectic differential two form
:=
3
1 X
jk` Sj dSk dS`
2S 2
jk`=1
(123 = 1) and the Hamilton vector fields

VSj :=
3
X
jk` Sk
k`=1
.
S`
The Poisson bracket is defined by

[Sj , Sk ]PB := VSj Sk .
(i) Calculate [Sj , Sk ]PB .
(ii) Calculate VSj c.
(iii) Calculate VSj cVSk c.
(iv) Calculate the Lie derivative LVSj .
Problem 27. Consider the system of partial differential equations (continuity and Euler equation of hydrodynamics in one space dimension)
u
c
H
u
+u
+ 2c
=
,
t
x
x
x
c
c
1 u
+u
+ c
=0
t
x 2 x
where u and c are the velocities of the fluid and of the disturbance with
respect to the fluid, respectively. H the depth is a given function of x. Show
that the partial differential equations can be written in the forms d = 0
and d = 0, where and are differntial one-forms. Owing to d = 0 and
d = 0 one can find locally (Poincare lemma) zero-forms (functions) (also
called potentials) such that
= d,
Problem 28.
x1 (, , ) =
= d.
Let a > 0. Toroidal coordinates are given by
a sinh cos
,
cosh cos
x2 (, , ) =
a sinh sin
,
cosh cos
0 < < ,
< < ,
0 < < 2.
x3 (, , ) =
where
Express the volume element dx1 dx2 dx3 using toroidal coordinates.
a sin
cosh cos
51
Problem 29. Let , be smooth differential one-forms. The linear

operator d (.) is defined by
d () := d + .
Let
= x1 dx2 + x2 dx3 + x3 dx1 ,
= x1 x2 dx3 .
Find d (). Solve d () = 0.

Problem 30.
Consider the differential two-form in R3

= x1 dx2 dx3 + x2 dx3 dx1 + x3 dx1 dx2
and the vector field

V = x1
+ x2
+ x3
.
x2
x3
x1
V c,
V cd,
Find
Problem 31.
LV ,
LV d.
Let n 2 and be the volume form in Rn

= dx1 dx2 dxn .
(i) Find the condition on the smooth vector V in Rn such

V c = 0.
(ii) Let V , W be two smooth vector fields in Rn . Find the conditions on
V , W such that
W c(V c) = 0.
Problem 32.
Consider the manifold Rn . Calculate
c(dxk dx` )
xj
where j, k, ` = 1, . . . , n.
Problem 33.
V12 = x2
x1
,
x1
x2
V23 = x3
x2
,
x2
x3
V31 = x1
x3
x3
x1

in R3 and the volume form = dx1 dx2 dx3 .
(i) Find the commutators
[V12 , V23 ],
[V23 , V31 ],
[V31 , V12 ].
Discuss.
(ii) Find
V12 c,
V23 c,
V31 c.
3
(iii) Let be the Hodge star operator in R with metric tensor field
g = dx1 dx1 + dx2 dx2 + dx3 dx3 .
Find (V12 c), (V23 c), (V31 c).
(iv) Find
d((V12 c)), d((V23 c)),
d((V31 c)).
Problem 34. (i) Let V , W be smooth vector fields in Rn (n 2) and ,

be differential one-forms. Calculate
L[V,W ] ( ).
(ii) Assume that LV = 0 and LW = 0. Simplify the result from (i).
(iii) Assume that LV = f and LW = g, where f , g are smooth
functions. Simplify the result from (i).
(iv) Let LV = and LW = . Simplify the result from (i).
Problem 35. A symplectic structure on a 2n-dimensional manifold M
is a closed non-degenerate differential two-form such that d = 0 and
n does not vanish. Every symplectic form is locally diffeomorphic to the
standard differential form
0 = dx1 dx2 + dx3 dx4 + + dx2n1 dx2n
on R2n . Consider the vector field
V = x1
+ x2
+ + x2n
x1
x2
x2n
in R2n . Find V c0 and LV 0 .

Problem 36.
Let a > b > 0. Consider the transformation
x1 (, ) = (a + b cos ) cos ,
x2 (, ) = (a + b cos ) sin .
Find dx1 dx2 and dx1 dx1 + dx2 dx2 .

Problem 37.
53

= (2xy x2 )dx + (x + y 2 )dy.
(i) Calculate d.
(ii) Calculate
I
with the closed path C1 C2 starting from (0, 0) moving along via
the curve
C1 : y = x2 to (1, 1) and back to (0, 0) via the curve C2 : y = x. Let D
be the (convex) domain enclosed by the two curves C1 and C2 .
(iii) Calculate the double integral
Z Z
d
D
where D is the domain given in (i), i.e. C1 C2 is the boundary of D. Thus

verify the theorem of Gauss-Green.
Problem 38.
Consider the differential one form in the plane

= x22 dx1 + x21 dx2
Calculate the integral

I
where C is the closed curve which the boundary of a triangle with vertices (0, 0), (1, 1), (1, 0) and counterclockwise orientation. Apply Greens
theorem

I
Z Z
f
g
dx1 dx2 .
f (x1 , x2 )dx1 + g(x1 , x2 )dx2 =
x1
x2
C
D
Problem 39.
(i) The lemniscate of Gerono is described by the equation

x4 = x2 y 2 .
Show that a parametrization is given by

x(t) = sin(t),
y(t) = sin(t) cos(t)
with t [0, ].
(ii) Consider the differential one-form
= xdy

in the plane R2 . Let x(t) = sin(t), y(t) = sin(t) cos(t). Find (t).
(iii) Calculate
Z
x(t)dy(t).
0
Disucss.
Problem 40.
(i) Consider the smooth differential one form
= f1 (x1 , x2 , x3 )dx1 + f2 (x1 , x2 , x3 )dx2 + f3 (x1 , x2 , x3 )dx3

in R3 . Find the differential equations from
2
d + = 0.
3
(i) Consider the smooth differential one form
= f1 (x1 , x2 , x3 , x4 )dx1 +f2 (x1 , x2 , x3 , x4 )dx2 +f3 (x1 , x2 , x3 , x4 )dx3 +f4 (x1 , x2 , x3 , x4 )dx4
in R4 . Find the differential equations from
2
d + = 0.
3
Problem 41.
Consider the differentiable manifold
S 3 = { (x1 , x2 , x3 , x4 ) : x21 + x22 + x23 + x24 = 1 }.

(i) Show that the matrix

U (x1 , x2 , x3 , x4 ) = i
x3 + ix4
x1 + ix2
x1 ix2
x3 + ix3
is unitary. Show that the matrix is an element of SU (2).

(ii) Consider the parameters (, , ) with 0 < , 0 < 4, 0 <
2. Show that
x1 (, , ) + ix2 (, , ) = cos(/2)ei(+)/2
x3 (, , ) + ix4 (, , ) = sin(/2)ei()/2
is a parametrization. Thus the matrix given in (i) takes the form

sin(/2)ei()/2
cos(/2)ei(+)/2
i
.
cos(/2)ei(+)/2 sin(/2)ei()/2
55
(iii) Let (1 , 2 , 3 ) = (, , ) with 0 < , 0 < 4, 0 < 2.

Show that
1
24 2
Z
d
3
X
d
0
jk` tr(U 1
j,k,`=1
U 1 U 1 U
U
U
)=1
j
k
`
where 123 = 321 = 132 = +1, 213 = 321 = 132 = 1 and 0 otherwise.
(iv) Consider the metric tensor field
g = dx1 dx1 + dx2 dx2 + dx3 dx3 + dx4 dx4 .
Using the parametrization show that
gS 3 =
1
(d d + d d + d d + cos()d d + cos()d d).
4
(v) Consider the differential one forms e1 , e2 , e3 defined by

x4
e1
e2 = x3
e3
x2
x3
x4
x1
x2
x1
x4
dx1
x1
dx
x2 2 .
dx3
x3
dx4
Show that
gS 3 = de1 de1 + de2 de2 + de3 de3 .
(vi) Show that
dej =
3
X
jk` ek e`
k,`=1
i.e. de1 = 2e2 e3 , de2 = 2e3 e1 , de3 = 2e1 e2 .

Problem 42.
write
Let V , W be two smooth vector fields defined on R3 . We
+ V2 (x)
+ V3 (x)
x1
x2
x3
W = W1 (x)
+ W2 (x)
+ W3 (x)
.
x1
x2
x3
V = V1 (x)
Let
= dx1 wegdedx2 dx3
be the volume form in R3 . Then LV = ((V )), where LV (.) denotes the
Lie derivative and denotes the diveregence of the vector field. Find the
divergence of the vector field given by the commutator [V, W ]. Apply it

to the vector fields asscociated with the autonomous systems of first order
dx1
= x2 x1 ,
dt
dx2
= x1 x1 x1 x1 x1 ,
dt
dx3
= x1 x2 bx3
dt
and
dx1
dx2
dx3
= x1 x1 ,
= x1 x1 x1 x1 ,
= x1 x1 x1 x1 .
dt
dt
dt
The first system is the Lorenz model and the second system is Chens model.
Problem 43. Let A be a differential one-form in space-time with the
metric tensor field
g = dx1 dx1 + dx2 dx2 + dx3 dx3 dx4 dx4
with x4 = ct. Let F = dA. Find F F , where is the Hodge star operator.
Problem 44. Let f : R2 R2 be a two-dimensional analytic map.
(i) Find the condition on f such that dx1 dx2 is invariant, i.e. f should
be area preserving.
(ii) Find the condition on f such that x1 dx1 + x2 dx2 is invariant.
(iii) Find the condition on f such that x1 dx1 x2 dx2 is invariant.
(iv) Find the condition on f such that x1 dx2 + x2 dx1 is invariant.
(v) Find the condition on f such that x1 dx2 x2 dx1 is invariant.
Problem 45.
Consider the smooth one-form in R3
= f1 (x)dx1 +f2 (x)dx2 +f3 (x)dx3 ,
= g1 (x)dx1 +g2 (x)dx2 +g3 (x)dx3 .
Find the differential equation from the condition

d( ) = 0
and provide solution of it.
Problem 46.
Let c > 0. Consider the elliptical coordinates
x1 (, ) = c cosh() cos(),
x2 (, ) = c sinh() sin().
Find the differential two-form = d1 dx2 in this coordinate system.

Problem 47.
one-forms
Let , , be the Euler angles and consider the differential

1 = cos d + sin sin d
2 = sin d + cos sin d
3 = d + cos d.
57
Find
1 sigma2 + 2 3 + 3 1 ,
Problem 48.
1 2 3 .
Let B be a vector field in R3 . Calculate

( B) B.
Formulate the problem with differential forms.

Problem 49. Let if (z) be a C function on a closed disc B C. Show
that the differential equation
z = if (z)
has a C solution w(z) in the interior of B with
Z
1
f ()
d d.
w(z) =
2 B z
Problem 50.
Let
= dx1 + x1 dx2 + x1 x2 dx3 .
Find d.
Problem 51.
Let z = rei . Find dz d

z.
Problem 52.
Let z1 , z2 C. Consider the differential one-form

=
1 dz1 dz2
.
2i z1 z2
Find d and .
Problem 53.
Let z C and z = x + iy with x, y R. Find

= z dz zdz .
Problem 54.
form
Consider the manifold M = R2 and the differential one
1
(xdy ydx).
2
(i) Find the differential two form d.
=

(ii) Consider the domains in R2
D = { (x, y) : x2 + y 2 1 },
D = { (x, y) : x2 + y 2 = 1 }
i.e. D is the boundaary of D. Show that (Stokes theorem)

Z
Z
d =
.
D
Apply polar coordinates, i.e. x(r, ) = r cos(), y(r, ) = r sin().

Problem 55. Let M = R2 and = x1 dx2 x2 dx1 . Then d = 2dx1 dx2 .
Now let M = R2 \ {(0, 0)}. Consider the differential one form
=
x21
1
(x1 dx2 x2 dx1 )
+ x22
(i) Find d.
(ii) Show that
d(arctan(y/x)) =
Problem 56.
1
(x1 dx2 x2 dx1 ).
x21 + x22
Let M = R2 . Consider the differential one-form

= (2x31 + 3x2 )dx1 + (3x1 + x2 1)dx2 .
(i) Find d.
(ii) Can one find a function f : R2 R such that df = .
Problem 57.

= xdy ydx
in M = R2 .
(i) Find d.
(ii) Let c R. Show that y cx = 0 satisfies = 0.
Problem 58.
(i) Consider the differential one-forms in R4

1 = x1 dx0 + x0 dx1 x3 dx2 + x2 dx3
2 = x2 dx0 + x3 dx1 + x0 dx2 x1 dx3
3 = x3 dx0 x2 dx1 + x1 dx2 + x0 dx3 .
59
Find d1 , d2 , d3 and 2 3 , 3 1 , 1 2 and thus show that

d1 = 22 3 , d2 = 23 1 , d3 = 21 2 .
(ii) Consider the vector fields in R4
+ x0
x3
+ x2
x0
x1
x2
x3
V2 = x2
+ x3
+ x0
x1
x0
x1
x2
x3
x2
+ x1
+ x0
.
V3 = x3
x0
x1
x2
x3
V1 = x1
Find the commutators [V1 , V2 ], [V2 , V3 ], [V3 , V1 ].

(iii) Find the interior product (contraction)
V1 c1 ,
V2 c2 ,
V3 c3 .
Problem 59. Consider the manifold M = R2 , the differential two form

= dx dy and the smooth vector field
V = V1 (x, y)
+ V2 (x, y) .
x
y
Find the condition on a smooth function f : R2 R such that

V c = df.
Problem 60.
Consider the analytic function f : R3 R given by

f (x1 , x2 , x3 ) = x21 + x22 + x23
and the analytic function g : R3 R given by

g(x1 , x2 , x3 ) = x1 x2 x3 .
Find df , dg and then df dg. Solve df dg = 0.
Problem 61.
Let R > 0. The anti-de Sitter metric tensor field g is given

g = t t + r r + +
with the spherical orthonormal coframe (differential one forms)

t = e(r) dt,
r = e(r) dr,
= rd,
= r sin()d

with e2(r) = 1 + (r/R)2 and r, , are spherical coordinates. Show that
the Riemannian curvature two-form
, =
1
,
R2
, { t, r, , }
is that of a constant negative curvature space with radius of curvature R.

Problem 62.
one-forms
Let k R and k 6= 0. Consider the three differential

1 = ekx1 dx2 ,
2 = dx3 , 3 = dx1 .
(i) Find d1 , d2 , d3 .
(ii) Find 1 1 , 2 2 , 3 3 .
(iii) Find 1 2 , 2 1 , 2 3 , 3 2 , 3 1 , 1 3 .
j
(iv) Find the expansion coefficients Ck,`
(j, k, ` = 1, 2, 3) such that
dj =
3
1 X j
Ck,` k ` .
2
k,`=1
(v) Consider the vector fields

V1 = ekx1
,
x2
V2 =
,
x3
V3 =
.
x1
Find the commutators [V1 , V2 ], [V2 , V3 ], [V3 , V1 ].

Problem 63.
Consider the differential two-form in R4
= a12 (x)dx1 dx2 + a13 (x)dx1 dx3 + a14 (x)dx1 dx4

+a23 (x)dx2 dx3 + a24 (x)dx2 dx4 + a34 (x)dx3 dx4
where ajk : R4 R are smooth functions. Find d and the conditions from
d = 0.
Problem 64. Let f1 (x1 , x2 ) = x1 + x2 and f2 (x1 , x2 ) = x21 + x22 . Solve
the system of equations
df1 df2 = 0,
Problem 65.
x21 + x22 = 1.
Consider the differential two forms in R3
1 = x1 dx2 dx3 + x2 dx3 dx1 + x3 dx1 dx2

1
2 =
1 .
1 + x21 + x22 + x23
61
Find d1 and d2 .
Consider the differential one forms in Rn
Problem 66.
1 =
n
X
xj dxj
j=1
2 = x2 dx1 + x3 dx2 + + xn dxn1 + x1 dxn .

(i) Find the two forms d1 and d2 .
(ii) Find 1 2 and then d(1 d2 ).
Problem 67. Consider the differential two forms dx1 dx2 in R2 and the
transformation
0

x1
cosh() sinh()
x1
=
.
x02
sinh() cosh()
x2
Find dx01 dx02 .
Problem 68.
Let be the differential two form in R3
= x1 dx2 dx3 + x2 dx3 dx1 + x3 dx1 dx2 .

Find d.
Problem 69. Consider the differential two-form dx1 dx2 in R2 and the
transformation
0

x1
cosh() sinh()
x1
=
.
x02
sinh() cosh()
x2
Find dx01 dx02 .
Problem 70.
(i) Find smooth maps f : R3 R3 such that
f (dx1 dx2 ) = dx2 dx3 ,
f (dx2 dx3 ) = dx1 dx2 ,
f (dx3 dx1 ) = dx1 dx2 .
(ii) Find smooth vector fields V in R3 such that

LV (dx1 dx2 ) = dx2 dx3 ,
Problem 71.
LV (dx3 dx1 ) = dx1 dx2 .
Consider the smooth map f : R3 R3
f1 (x1 , x2 , x3 ) = x1 x2 x3 ,
f2 (x1 , x2 , x3 ) = x1 ,
f3 (x1 , x2 , x3 ) = x2 .

(i) Show that the map is invertible and find the inverse.
(ii) Find
f (dx1 dx2 ), f (dx2 dx3 ), f (dx3 dx1 ).
Disuss.
(iii) Consider the metric tensor field
g = dx1 dx1 + dx2 dx2 + dx3 dx3 .
Find f (g). Discuss.
Problem 72.
Consider the differential one-forms in R3

dx3 x1 dx2 + x2 dx1
1 + x21 + x22 + x23
dx1 x2 dx3 + x3 dx2
2 =
1 + x21 + x22 + x23
dx2 + x1 dx3 x3 dx1
3 =
.
1 + x21 + x22 + x23
1 =
Find the dual basis of the vector fields V1 , V2 , V3 .

Problem 73.
(i) Find smooth maps f : R3 R3 such that
f (dx1 dx2 ) = dx2 dx3 ,
f (dx2 dx3 ) = dx1 dx2 ,
f (dx3 dx1 ) = dx1 dx2 .
(ii) Find smooth vector fields V in R3 such that

Problem 74.
LV (dx3 dx1 ) = dx1 dx2 .
(i) Consider the smooth differential one-form in R3
= ex1 x3 dx1 + sin(x3 )dx2 + (x2 cos(x3 ) ex1 )dx3 .

Find d. Can one find a smooth function f : R3 R such that df = .
(ii) Consider the smooth differential one-form in R3
= (3x1 x3 + 2x2 )dx1 + x1 dx2 + x21 dx3 .
Discuss.
(iii) Consider the smooth differential one-form in R3
= x2 dx1 + dx2 + dx3 .
63

Discuss. Consider the differential one-form
e = x1 .
Problem 75.
one-form
Let a1 , a2 , a3 be real constants. Consider the differential
= (a2 cos(x2 )+a3 sin(x3 ))dx1 +(a1 sin(x1 )+a3 cos(x3 ))dx2 +(a1 cos(x1 )+a2 sin(x2 ))dx3 .
Find d and solve the equation d = 0 and the equation d = .
Chapter 5
Lie Derivative and

Applications
Problem 1.
Let V be a smooth vector field defined on Rn

V =
n
X
Vi (x)
i=1
.
xi
Let T be a (1, 1) smooth tensor field defined on Rn

T =
n
n X
X
aij (x)
i=1 j=1
dxj .
xi
Let LV T be the Lie derivative of T with respect to the vector field V . Show
that if LV T = 0 then
LV tr(a(x)) = 0
where a(x) is the n n matrix (aij (x)) and tr denotes the trace.
Problem 2. Let V , W be vector fields. Let f , g be C functions and
be a differential form. Assume that
LV = f ,
LW = g.
Show that
L[V,W ] = (LV f LW g).
64
(1)
Lie Derivative and Applications

Problem 3.
Rn . Find
65
Let f and V be smooth function and smooth vector field in

V cdf.
Problem 4. Let Vj (j = 1, . . . , n) be smooth vector fields and a smooth

differential one-form. Assume that
LVj = dj ,
j = 1, 2, . . . , n
where j are smooth functions.

(i) Find
L[Vj ,Vk ] .
(ii) Assume that the vector fields Vj (j = 1, . . . , n) form basis of a Lie
algebra, i.e.
n
X
c`jk V`
[Vj , Vk ] =
`=1
where
j .
c`jk
are the structure constants. Find the conditions on the functions
Problem 5. Find the first integrals of the autonomous system of ordinary

first order differential equations
dx1
= x1 x2 + x1 x3
dt
dx2
= x2 x3 x1 x2
dt
dx3
= x1 x3 x2 x3 .
dt
Problem 6.
(i) Consider the smoth vector fields

X = X1 (x1 , x2 )
+ X2 (x1 , x2 )
x1
x2
and the two differential form

= dx1 dx2 .
Find the equation
d(Xc) = 0
where c denotes the contraction (inner product). One also writes
d((X)) = 0.

Calculate the Lie derivative LX .
(ii) Consider the smoth vector fields
X=
4
X
Xj (x)
j=1
xj
and the differential two form

= dx1 dx2 + dx3 dx4 .
Find the equation
d(Xc) = 0
where c denotes the contraction (inner product). One also writes d((X)) =
0. Calculate LX .
Problem 7. Let be a smooth differential one-form and V be a smooth
vector field. Assume that
LV = f
where f is a smooth function. Define the function F as
F := V c
where c denotes the contraction. Show that
dF = f V cd.
Problem 8.
write
Let V , W be two smooth vector fields defined on R3 . We
+ V2 (x)
+ V3 (x)
x1
x2
x3
W = W1 (x)
+ W2 (x)
+ W3 (x)
.
x1
x2
x3
V = V1 (x)
Let
= dx1 dx2 dx3
3
be the volume form in R . Then LV = (div(V )), where LV (.) denotes

the Lie derivative and divV denotes the diveregence of the vector field V .
Find the divergence of the vector field given by the commutator [V, W ].
Apply it to the vector fields asscociated with the autonomous systems of
first order differential equations
dx1
= (x2 x1 ),
dt
dx2
= x1 x2 x1 x3 ,
dt
dx3
= x3 + x1 x2
dt
67
and
dx1
= a(x2 x1 ),
dt
dx2
= (c a)x1 + cx2 x1 x3 ,
dt
dx3
= bx3 + x1 x2 .
dt
The first system is the Lorenz model and the second system is Chens model.
Problem 9.
Consider the smooth vector field

V =
n
X
Vj (u)
j=1
uj
defined on R . Consider the smooth differential one-form

=
n
X
fk (u)duk .
k=1
Find the Lie derivative LV . What is the condition such that LV = 0.

Problem 10. Consider the smooth vector fields V and W defined on Rn .
Let f and g be smooth functions. Assume that
LV f = 0,
LW g = 0 .
Find
L[V,W ] (f + g),
L[V,W ] (f g) .
Problem 11. Let V , W be two smooth vector fields defined on Rn . Let

f , g be smooth function defined on Rn . Assume that
V f = 0,
Wg = 0
i.e. f , g are first integrals of the dynamical system given by the vector
fields V and W .
(i) Calculate
[V, W ](f g),
[V, W ](gf )
where [ , ] denotes the commutator.
(ii) Calculate
[V, W ](f (g))
where f (g) denotes function composition.
Problem 12. Consider the manifold M = R2 . Let V be a smooth vector
field in M . Let (x, y) be the local coordinate system. Assume that
LV dx = dy,
LV dy = dx

where LV (.) denotes the Lie derivative. Find
LV (dx dy).
Problem 13.
Let V , W be two smooth vector fields

V =
n
X
Vj (x)
j=1
,
xj
W =
n
X
Wj (x)
j=1
xj
defined on Rn . Assume that

[V, W ] = f (x)W.
Let
= dx1 dxn
be the volume form and := W c. Find the Lie derivative
LV .
Discuss.
Problem 14. Let M = R2 and let x, y denote the Euclidean coordinates
on R2 . Consider the differential one-form
=
1
(xdy ydx).
2
Consider the vector field defined on R2 \ {0}

1
V = 2
y
x
.
x + y2
x
y
Find
V cd
and the Lie derivative LV .
Consider the two smooth vector fields in R2
Problem 15.
V = V1 (x)
+ V2 (x)
,
x1
x2
W = W1 (x)
+ W2 (x)
.
x1
x2
Assume that [W, V ] = 0. Find the Lie derivatives

LV (V1 W2 V2 W1 ),
LW (V1 W2 V2 W1 ).
69
Discuss.
Problem 16. Consider the smooth manifold M = R3 with coordintes
(x, p, z) and the differential one form
= dz pdx.
(i) Show that d 6= 0. Consider the vector fields
V =
,
p
W =
+p .
x
z
Find
V c,
W c .
(ii) Consider the smooth manifold M = R5 with coordinates (x1 , x2 , p1 , p2 , z)

and the differential one-form
= dz
2
X
pj dzj .
j=1
Show that d =
6 0. Consider the vector fields
V1 =
,
p1
,
p2
W1 =
V1 c,
V2 c,
V2 =
+ p1 ,
x1
z
W2 =
+ p2 .
x2
z
Find
W1 c,
W2 c.
Problem 17. Let V be a smooth vector field in R3 . Find the condition

on V such that
LV (x1 dx2 + x2 dx3 + x3 dx1 ) = 0.
Problem 18.
Let M = R2 . Consider
V = x1
x2
,
x2
x1
= dx1 dx2 .
Calculate the Lie derivative LV .

Problem 19.
Let du1 /dt = V1 (u), . . . , dun /dt = Vn (u) be an autonomous system of ordinary differential equations, where Vj (u) C (Rn )
for all j = 1, . . . , n. A function C (Rn ) is called conformal invariant
with respect to the vector field
V = V1 (u)
+ + Vn (u)
u1
un

if
LV =
where C (Rn ). Let n = 2 and consider the vector fields
V = u1
u2
,
u2
u1
W = u1
+ u2
.
u1
u2
Show that (u) = u21 + u22 is conformal invariant under V and W . Find the
commutator [V, W ].
Problem 20.
Consider the mainfold R2 and the smooth vector field

V = V1 (x1 , x2 )
+ V2 (x1 , x2 )
.
x1
x2
Find V1 , V2 such that

LV (dx1 dx1 + dx2 dx2 ) = 0
dx1 +
dx2
x1
x2
x1
x1
x2
x2

LV

LV
=0
= 0.
Problem 21. Let M be differentiable manifold and : M R be a

smooth function. Let be a smooth diferential one form defined on M .
Show that if V is a vector field defined on M such that d = V cd, then
LV = d(V c + ).
Problem 22.
Consider the manifold M = Rn and the volume form

= dx1 dxn .
Consider the analytic vector field

V =
n
X
j=1
(i) Find = V c.
(ii) Find LV .
Vj (x)
.
xj
71
Problem 23. Consider the autonomous system of first order ordinary

duj
= Vj (u),
dt
j = 1, 2, . . . , n
where the Vj s are polynomials. The corresponding vector field is

V =
n
X
Vj
j=1
.
xj
Let f be an analytic function. The Lie derivative of f is

LV f =
n
X
j=1
Vj
f
.
xj
A Darboux polynomial is a polynomial g such that there is another polynomial p satisfying

LV g = pg.
The couple is called a Darboux element. If m is the greatest of degVj
(j = 1, . . . , n), then degp m 1. All the irreducible factors of a Darboux
polynomial are Darboux. The search for Darboux polynomials can be restricted to irreducible g. If the autonomous system of first order differential
equations is homogeneous of degree m, i.e. all Vj are homgeneous of degree
m, then p is homogeneous of degree m 1 and all homgeneous components
of g are Darboux. The search can be restricted to homgeneous g.
(i) Show that the product of two Darboux polynomials is a Darboux polynomial.
(ii) Consider the Lotka-Volterra model for three species
du1
= u1 (c3 u2 + u3 )
dt
du2
= u2 (c1 u3 + u1 )
dt
du3
= u3 (c2 u1 + u2 )
dt
where c1 , c2 , c3 are real parameters. Find the determining equation for the
Darboux element.
Problem 24.
Consider a smooth vector field in R3

V = V1 (x)
+ V2 (x)
+ V3 (x)
x1
x2
x3

and the differential two-form
= dx1 dx2 + dx2 dx3 + dx3 dx1 .
Find V c and d(V c). Thus find LV . Find solutions of the partial
differential equations given by LV = 0.
Problem 25.
Consider the unit ball

x2 + y 2 + z 2 = 1.
+(b0 + b1 x + b2 y + b3 z + y(e1 x + e2 y + e3 z))

y
+(c0 + c1 x + c2 y + c3 z + z(e1 x + e2 y + e3 z)) .

z
V = (a0 + a1 x + a2 y + a3 z + x(e1 x + e2 y + e3 z))
Find the coefficients from the conditions

LV (x2 + y 2 + z 2 ) = 0,
x2 + y 2 + z 2 = 1.
Problem 26. Some quantities in physics owing to the transformation

laws have to be considered as currents instead of differential forms. Let
M be an orientable n-dimensional differentiable manifold of class C . We
denote by k (M ) the set of all differential forms of degree k with compact
support. Let k (M ) and let be an exterior differential form of degree
n k with locally integrable coefficients. Then, as an example of a current,
we have
Z
T () () :=
.
M
Define the Lie derivative for this current.

Problem 27. Let H : R2n R be a smooth Hamilton function with the
corresponding vector field

n
X
H
H
VH =
.
pj qj
qj pj
j=1
Let
W =
n
X
j=1
fj (p, q)
+ gj (p, q)
qj
pj
73
be another smooth vector field. Assume that

[VH , W ] = W
(1)
where is a smooth function of p and q. Let

= dq1 dqn dp1 dpn
be the standard volume differential form. Let
= W c.
Show that (1) can be written as
LVH = .
Problem 28.
model
Consider the vector field V associated with the Lorenz

du1
= (u2 u1 )
dt
du2
= u1 u3 + ru1 u2
dt
du3
= u1 u2 bu3 .
dt
Let
= u1 du2 + u2 du3 + u3 du1 .
Calculate the Lie derivative
LV
Discuss.
Problem 29.
g = cdt cdt + dr dr + r2 d d + r2 sin2 d d

1
V =q
1 2 r2 sin2 /c2
+
t
where c is the speed of light and a fixed frequency. Find the Lie derivative
LV g.

Problem 30.
Consider the 2n + 1 dimensional anti-de Sitter space
AdS2n+1 . This is a hypersurface in the vector space R2n+2 defined by
the equation R(x) = 1, where
R(x) = (x0 )2 (x1 )2 + (x2 )2 + + (x2n+1 )2 .
One introduces the even coordinates p and odd coordinates q. Then we
can write
2
R(p, q) = p21 q12 + p22 + q22 + + p2n+1 + qn+1
.
We consider R2n+2 as a symplectic manifold with the canonical symplectic

differential form
n+1
X
=
dpk dqk .
k=1
Let
=
n+1
1X
(pk dqk qk dpk ).
2
k=1
Consider the vector field V in R2n+2 given by

V =

n+1
1X
pk
+ qk
.
2
pk
qk
k=1
Find the Lie derivative LV R and V c.

Problem 31.
Consider the Lotka-Volterra equation

du1
= (a bu2 )u1 ,
dt
du2
= (cu1 d)u2
dt
where a, b, c, d are constants and u1 > 0 and u2 > 0. The corresponding

vector field V is
V = (a bu2 )u1
+ (cu1 d)u2
.
u1
u2
Let
= f (u1 , u2 )du1 du2
where f is a smooth nonzero function. Find a smooth function H (Hamilton
function) such that
cV = dH.
Note that from this condition since ddH = 0 we obtain
d(cV ) = 0.
75
Problem 32. Let I, f be analytic functions of u1 , u2 . Consider the

autonomous system of differential equations

du1 /dt
0
f (u)
I/u1
=
.
du2 /dt
f (u)
0
I/u2
Show that I is a first integral of this autonomous system of differential
equations.
Problem 33.
Consider the smooth vector field

V = V1 (u)
+ V2 (u)
u1
u2
in R2 . Let f1 (u1 ), f2 (u2 ) be smooth functions.

(i) Calculate the Lie derivative

LV f1 (u1 )du1
+ f2 (u2 )du2
.
u1
u2
Find the condition arising from setting the Lie derivative equal to 0.
(ii) Calculate the Lie derivative
LV (f1 (u1 )du1 du1 + f2 (u2 )du2 du2 ) .
Find the conditions arising from setting the Lie derivative equal to 0. Compare the conditions to the conditions from (i).
Problem 34. Let V , W be smooth vector fields defined in Rn . Let
f, g : Rn R be smooth functions. Consider now the pairs (V, f ), (W, g).
One defines a commutator of such pairs as
[(V, f ), (W, g)] := ([V, W ], LV g LW f ) .
Let
V = u2
u1
,
u1
u2
W = u1
+ u2
u1
u1
and f (u1 , u2 ) = g(u1 , u2 ) = u21 + u22 . Calculate the commutator.

Problem 35.
Consider the two differential form in R3
= x3 dx1 dx2 + x1 dx2 dx3 + x2 dx3 dx1 .

Find d. Find the Lie dervivative LV . Find the condition on the vector
field V such that LV = 0.

Problem 36.
Let V be the vector field for the Lorenz model
V = (u1 + u2 )
+ (u1 u3 + ru1 u2 )
+ (u1 u2 bu3 )
.
u1
u2
u3
Find the Lie derivative LV (du1 du2 ), LV (du2 du3 ), LV (du3 du1 ).
Discuss.
Problem 37.
T1 =
2
X
(i) Consider the tensor fields in R2
tjk (x)dxj dxk ,
T2 =
j,k=1
2
X
tjk (x)dxj
j,k=1
,
xk
T3 =
2
X
tjk (x)
j,k=1
.
xj xk
Find the condition on the vector field

V =
2
X
V` (x)
`=1
x`
such that
LV T1 = 0,
LV T2 = 0,
LV T3 = 0.
(ii) Simplify for the case tjk (x) = 1 for all j, k = 1, 2.

Problem 38.
Let n 2. Consider the smooth vector field in Rn

V =
n
X
Vj (x)
j=1
.
xj
Find the Lie derivative of the tensor fields
,
xj
xk
dxj
,
xk
dxj dxk
with j, k = 1, . . . , n. Set the Lie derivative to 0 and study the partial

differential equations of Vj .
Problem 39.
V , W be smooth vector fields in R3 . Let
LV (dx1 dx2 dx3 ) = (div(V ))dx1 dx2 dx3 ,
LW (dx1 dx2 dx3 ) = (div(W ))dx1 dx2 dx3 .
Calculate
L[V,W ] dx1 dx2 dx3 .
Let V be a smooth vector field in R2 . Assume that

LV (dx1 dx1 + dx2 dx2 ) = 0, LV
= 0.
x1
x1
x2
x2
Problem 40.
77
Can we conclude that

LV dx1
+ dx2
= 0?
x1
x2
Problem 41. The Heisenberg group H is a non-commutative Lie group

which is diffeomorphic to R3 and the group operation is defined by
(x, y, z) (x0 , y 0 , z 0 ) := (x + x0 , y + y 0 , z + z 0 x0 y + xy 0 ).
(i) Find the idenity element. Find the inverse element.
(ii) Consider the metric tensor
g = dx dx + dy dy + x2 dy dy + xdy dz + xdz dy + dz dz
and the vector fields
V1 =
,
z
V2 =
x ,
y
z
V3 =
.
x
Show that the vector fields form a basis of a Lie algebra. Classify the Lie
algebra. Calculate the Lie derivatives
LV1 g,
LV2 g,
LV3 g.
Discuss.
Problem 42.
Consider the 2n + 1 smooth vector fields
Xj =
yj
,
xj
2 t
Yj =
xj
+
,
yj
2 t
T =
(j = 1, . . . , n) and the differential one form

n
= dt +
1X
(yj dxj xj dyj ).
2 j=1
(i) Find the commutators

[Xj , Yj ],
[Xj , T ],
[Yj , T ].
(ii) Find
exp(Xj )xj ,
exp(Yj )yj ,
exp(T )t .
(iii) Find the Lie derivatives

LXj ,
LYj ,
LT .

Problem 43. Let V , W be vector fields and be a differential form.
Find the Lie derivative
LV (W ).
Problem 44. Consider the manifold M = R2 . Let V be a smooth vector
field in M . Let (x, y) be the local coordinate system. Assume that
LV dx = dy,
LV dy = dx.
Find
LV (dx dy).
Problem 45.
g = dtdtdvdvkxdtdykxdydt+(k 2 x2 ekv )dydyekv dxdx

the differential two-form
1
F = keikv (dv dt + kxdy dv + idx dy)
2
and the vector fields
V1 =
,
t
V2 =
,
y
V3 = ky
+
,
t x
V4 =
+ kx
ky .
v 2 x 2 y
Show that
LV1 g = LV2 g = LV3 g = LV4 g = 0.
and
LV1 F = LV2 F = LV3 F = LV4 F = 0.
Chapter 6
Killing Vector Fields and

Lie Algebras
Let g be a metric tensor field and V be a vector field. Then V is called a

Killing vector field if
LV g = 0
i.e. the Lie derivative of g with respect to V vanishes. The Killing vector
fields provide a basis of a Lie algebra.
Problem 1.
Consider the two-dimensional Euclidean space with the
metric tensor field
g = dx1 dx1 + dx2 dx2 .
Find the Killing vector fields, i.e. the analytic vector fields V such that
LV g = 0
where LV denotes the Lie derivative. Show that the set of Killing vector
fields form a Lie algebra under the commutator.
Problem 2.
g=
1
(dx dx + dy dy),
y2
< x < ,
Find the Killing vector fields.

79
0 < y < .

Problem 3. A standard model of the complex hyperbolic space is the
complex unit ball
B n := { z C : |z| < 1 }
with the Bergman metric
g=
n
X
gj,k (z)dzj d
zk
j,k=1
where
gj,k =

ln(1 |z|2 ) .
zj zk
Find the Killing vector fields of g.

Problem 4.

g = d d + sin2 d d.
Show that g admits the Killing vector fields

V1 = sin
+ cos cot
V2 = cos
sin cot
V3 =
Is the Lie algebra given by the vector fields semisimple?

Problem 5. A de Sitter universe may be represented by the hypersurface
x21 + x22 + x23 + x24 x20 = R2
where R is a real constant. This hypersurface is embedded in a five dimensional flat space whose metric tensor field is
g = dx0 dx0 dx1 dx1 dx2 dx2 dx3 dx3 dx4 dx4 .
Find the Killing vector fields V of g, i.e. the solutions of LV g = 0.
Problem 6.
For the Poincare upper half plane

H = { z = x1 + ix2 : y > 0 }
Killing Vector Fields and Lie Algebras
81
the metric tensor field is given by

g=
1
(dx1 dx1 + dx2 dx2 ).
x22
Find the Killing vector fields for g, i.e.

V = V1 (x1 , x2 )
+ V2 (x1 , x2 )
x1
x2
where LV g = 0.
Problem 7.
g = dt dt eP1 (t) dx dx eP2 (t) dy dy eP3 (t) dz dz

where Pj (j = 1, 2, 3) are smooth functions of t. Find the Killing vector
fields.
Chapter 7
Lie-Algebra Valued
Differential Forms
Problem 1. Let A be an n n matrix. Assume that the entries are

analytic functions of x. Assume that A is invertible for all x. Let d be the
exterior derivative. We have the identity
d(det(A)) det(A)tr(A1 dA).
Let

A=
cos(x)
sin(x)
sin(x)
cos(x)

.
Calculate the left-hand side and right hand side of the identity.
Problem 2.
Let

R=
cos
sin
sin
cos

.
Obviously, R SO(2). Calculate R1 , dR, R1 dR and dR(R1 ), where

R1 dR is the left-invariant matrix differential one-form and dR(R1 ) is the
right-invariant matrix differential one-form.
Problem 3. Let G be a Lie group with Lie algebra L. A differential form
on G is called left invariant if
f (x) =
82
(1)
Lie-Algebra Valued Differential Forms
83
for all x G, f (x) denoting the left translation g xg on G. Let X1 , . . . ,

Xn be a basis of L and 1 , . . . n the one-forms on G determined by
ej ) = ij
i (X
(2)
ei are the corresponding left invariant vector fields on G and ij is

where X
the Kronecker delta. Show that
di =
n
1 X i
cjk j k ,
2
i = 1, 2, . . . , n
(3)
j,k=1
where the structural constants cijk are given by

[Xj , Xk ] =
n
X
cijk Xi .
(4)
i=1
System (3) is known as the Maurer-Cartan equations.

Problem 4. Let G be a Lie group whose Lie algebra is L. L is identified
with the left invariant vector fields on G. Now suppose that X1 , . . ., Xn is
a basis of L and that 1 , . . . n is a dual basis of left invariant one-forms.
There is a natural Lie algebra valued one-form
e on G which can be written
as
n
X
i Xi
(1)
e :=
i=1
where
Show that
where
[e
,
e ] :=
(Xi , j ) = ij .
(2)
1
,
e] = 0
de
+ [e
2
(3)
n
n X
X
(i j ) [Xi , Xj ].
(4)
i=1 j=1
Obviously, (3) are the Maurer-Cartan equations.

Problem 5.
Consider the Lie algebra

e
: R, R .
G :=
0 1
Let

X :=
e
0
(1)

(2)

and
:= X 1 dX.
(3)
d + = 0.
(4)
Show that
Problem 6.
Let

X=
x11
x21
x12
x22

(1)
where
x11 x22 x12 x21 = 1
so that X is a general element of the Lie group SL(2, R). Then X 1 dX,
considered as a matrix of one-forms, takes its value in the Lie algebra
sl(2, R), the Lie algebra of SL(2, R). If

1 2
1
X dX =
(2)
3 1
then { j } are the left-invariant forms of SL(2, R).
(i) Show that there is a (local) SL(2, R)-valued function A on R2 such that

1
2
1
= .
(3)
A dA =
3 1
Write for this sl(2, R)-valued one-form on R2 .
(ii) Show that then dG = G and that each row (r, s) of the matrix G
satisfies
dr = r1 + s3 ,
ds = r2 s1 .
(4)
Note that Maurer-Cartan equations for the forms {1 , 2 , 3 } may be written
d + = 0.
(5)
(iii) Show that any element of SL(2, R) can be expressed uniquely as the
product of an upper triangular matrix and a rotation matrix (the Iwasawa
decomposition). Define an upper-triangular-matrix-valued function T and
a rotation-matrix-valued function R on R2 by A = T R1 . Thus show that
T 1 dT = R1 dR + R1 R.
Problem 7.
Let

SL(2, R) :=

X=
a
c

b
ad
bc
=
1
d
(1)
85
be the group of all (2 2)-real unimodular matrices. Its right-invariant

Maurer-Cartan form is

11 12
1
= dXX =
(2)
21 22
where
11 + 22 = 0.
(3)
Show that satisfies the structure equation of SL(2, R), (also called the
Maurer-Cartan equation)
d =
or, written explicitly,
d11 = 12 21 ,
Problem 8.
d12 = 211 12 ,
d21 = 221 11 .
Let

SL(2, R) :=

X=
a
c

b
ad
bc
=
1
d
(1)
be the group of all (2 2)-real unimodular matrices. Its right-invariant

Maurer-Cartan form is

11 12
= dXX 1 =
(2)
21 22
where
11 + 22 = 0.
(3)
Then satisfies (see previous problem) the structure equation of SL(2, R),
(also called the Maurer-Cartan equation)
d =
or, written explicitly,
d11 = 12 21 ,
d12 = 211 12 ,
d21 = 221 11 .
(4)
(ii) Let U be a neighbourhood in the (x, t)-plane and consider the smooth
mapping
f : U SL(2, R).
(5)
The pull-backs of the Maurer-Cartan forms can be written
11 = (x, t)dx+A(x, t)dt,
12 = q(x, t)dx+B(x, t)dt,
21 = r(x, t)dx+C(x, t)dt

(6)

where the coefficients are functions of x, t. Show that
A
+
qC + rB = 0
t
x
(7a)
q B
+
2B + 2qA = 0
(7b)
t
x
r C
+
2rA + 2C = 0.
(7c)
t
x
(ii) Consider the special case that r = +1 and is a real parameter independent of x, t. Writing
q = u(x, t),
(8)
show that
A(x, t) = C(x, t)+
1 C
,
2 x
B(x, t) = u(x, t)C(x, t)(x, t)
C 1 2 C
.
x 2 x2
(9)
Show that substitution into the second equation of (7) gives

u
C
1 3C
u
C
=
C + 2u
= 2 2
.
t
x
x
x
2 x3
(10)
1
C = 2 u
2
(11)
1 3 u 3 u
u
=
u ,
t
4 x3
2 x
(12)
(iii) Let
Show that (10) becomes
which is the well-known Korteweg-de Vries equation.

Problem 9. We consider the case where M = R2 and L = sl(2, R). In
local coordinates (x, t) a Lie algebra-valued one-differential-form is given
by
3
X
e=
i Ti
(1)
i=1
where
i := ai (x, t)dx + Ai (x, t)dt
(2)
and {T1 , T2 , T3 } is a basis of the semi-simple Lie algebra s`(2, R). A convenient choice is

1 0
0 1
0 0
T1 =
, T2 =
, T3 =
.
(3)
0 1
0 0
1 0
87
(i) Show that the condition that the covariant derivative vanishes
De
e=0
(4)
leads to the following systems of partial differential equations of first order
a1
A1
+
+ a2 A3 a3 A2 = 0
t
x
A2
a2
+
+ 2(a1 A2 a2 A1 ) = 0
t
x
a3
A3
+
2(a1 A3 a3 A1 ) = 0.
t
x
(ii) Show that the sine Gordon equation
2u 2u
+ sin u = 0
t2
x2
(5a)
(5b)
(5c)
(6)
can be represented as follows

1
1
a2 = (cos u + 1)
A1 = (cos u 1)
4
4

1 u u
1 u u
a2 =
+
sin u ,
A2 =
+
+ sin u
4 x
t
4 x
t

1 u u
1 u u
a3 =
+
+ sin u
A4 =
+
sin u
4 x
t
4 x
t
(7a)
(7b)
(7c)
(iii) Prove the following. Let

a1 = f1 (u),
A1 = f2 (u)
(8a)
u
u
u
u
+ c2
+ f3 (u),
A2 = c3
+ c4
+ f4 (u)
(8b)
x
t
x
t
u
u
u
u
a3 = c5
+ c6
+ f5 (u),
A3 = c7
+ c8
+ f6 (u)
(8c)
x
t
x
t
where f1 , . . . , f6 are smooth functions and c1 , . . . , c8 R. Then the Lie
algebra-valued differential from
e satisfies the condition (4) if
a2 = c1
c1 = c2 = c3 = c4 ,
f4 = f3 ,
f5 = cf3
c1
c5 = c6 = c7 = c8
(9a)
f6 = f5
(9b)
(c {+1, 1})
2u
2u
+ c1 2 + 2f3 (f1 f2 ) = 0
2
t
x
(9c)
(9d)

and for c = 1
df1
= 4c1 f3 ,
dt
df2
= 4c1 f3 ,
dt
d2 f3
= 16c21 f3
dt2
(9e)
df2
= 4c1 f3 ,
dt
d2 f3
= 16c21 f3
dt2
(9f )
where c1 = c5 .
For c = 1
df1
= 4c1 f3 ,
dt
where c1 = c5 .
(iv) Show that the solutions to these differential equations lead to the nonlinear wave equations
2u 2u
= C1 cosh u + C2 sinh u
t2
x2
(10)
2u 2u
= C1 sin u + C2 cos u
t2
x2
(11)
and
(C1 , C2 R) can be written as the covariant exterior derivative of a Lie

algebra-valued one-form, where the underlying Lie algebra is sl(2, R).
Problem 10. Let (M, g) be a Riemann manifold with dim(M ) = m. Let
s be an orthonormal local frame on U with dual coframe and let be
the Levi-Civita covariant derivative. Then we have
(1) g|U =
m
X
i i
i=1
(2) s = s., ji = ij , so 1 (U, so(m))

m
X
(3) d + = 0, d i +
ki k = 0
k=1
(4) Rs = s., = d + 2 (U, so(m)), ij = dji +
m
X
ki jk
k=1
(5) = 0,
m
X
ik k = 0, first Bianchi identity
k=1
(6) d + d + [, ] = 0, second Bianchi identity
89
If (M, g) is a pseudo Riemann manifold,

ij = g(si , sj ) = diag(1, . . . , 1, 1, . . . , 1)
the standard inner product matrix of the same signature (p, q) (p + q = m),
then we have instead
(10 ) g =
m
X
ii i i
i=1
(2 ) jj ij =
(30 ) jj ji =
0
ii ji thus = (ij ) 1 (U, so(p, q))

ii ij thus = (ji ) 2 (U, so(p, q)).
Consider the manifold S 2 R3 . Calculate the quantities given above.

Consider the parametrization (leaving out one longitude)
cos() cos()
f : (0, 2) (, ) R3 ,
f (, ) = sin() cos() .
sin()
Problem 11. Show that the Korteweg-de Vries and nonlinear Schrodinger
equations are reductions of the self-dual Yang-Mills equations. We work on
R4 with coordinates xa = (x, y, u, t) and metric tensor field
g = dx dx dy dy + du dt dt du
of signature (2,2) and a totally skew orientation tensor abcd = [abcd] . We
consider a Yang-Mills connection Da := a Aa where the Aa where the
Aa are, for the moment, elements of the Lie algebra of SL(2, C). The Aa
are defined up to gauge transformations
Aa hAa h1 (a h)h1
where h(xa ) SL(2, C). The connection is said to be self-dual when (summation convention)
1 cd
[Dc , Dd ] = [Da , Db ].
(3)
2 ab
Problem 12. With the notation given above the self-dual Yang-Mills
equations are given by
De
e = D
(1)
Find the components of the self-dual Yang Mills equation.

Problem 13. Consider the non-compact Lie group SU (1, 1) and the
compact Lie group U (1). Let z C and |z| < 1. Consider the coset space
SU (1, 1)/U (1) with the element ( R)

i

1
1 z
e
0
U (z, ) = p
.
z 1
0 ei
1 |z|2
Consequently the coset space SU (1, 1)/U (1) can be viewed as an open unit
disc in the complex plane. Consider the Cartan differential one-forms forms
=i
zdz zd
z
,
1 |z|2
+ =
idz
,
1 |z|2
idz
.
1 |z|2
Show that (Cartan-Mauer equations)

d = 2i + ,
d+ = i + ,
Show that
+ =
d = i .
1
dz d
z.
(1 |z|2 )2
Chapter 8
Lie Symmetries and

Differential Equations
Problem 1. Show that the second order ordinary linear differential equation
d2 u
=0
dt2
admits the eight Lie symmetries
,
t
,
u
,
t
, u , ut + u2 , ut
+ t2 .
u
t
t
u
u
t
Find the commutators. Classify the Lie algebra.
u
Problem 2.
tion
Show that the third order ordinary linear differential equad3 u

=0
dt3
admits the seven Lie symmetries
,
t
t2
,
u
,
u
,
u
ut
91
,
t
1
+ t2 .
u 2 t

Find the commutators.
Problem 3.
Consider the nonlinear partial differential equation

3u
u
u
+u
+c
=0
x3
t
x
where c is a constant. Show that the partial differential equation admits

the Lie symmetry vector fields
V1 =
V3 = 3t
,
t
+ (x + 2ct) ,
t
x
V2 =
,
x
V4 = t
+ ct
+u .
t
x
u
Problem 4. Consider the stationary incompressible Prandtl boundary

layer equation
u 2 u
u 2 u
3u
=
.
3

Using the classical Lie method we obtain the similarity reduction
u(, ) = y(x),
x = 1 + f ()
where f is an arbitrary differentiable function of . Find the ordinary

differential equation for y.
Problem 5.
Show that the Chazy equation

2
d3 y
d2 y
=
2y
3
dx3
dx2
y ,
x
y
(2xy + 6)
x
y
dy
dx
admits the vector fields
,
x
x2
as symmetry vector fields. Show that the first two symmetry vector fields
can be used to reduce the Chazy equation to a first order equation.
Problem 6.
Show that the Laplace equation

2

2
2
+
+
u=0
x2
y 2
z 2
Lie Symmetries and Differential Equations
93
admits the Lie symmetries

Px =
Myx = y
,
x
x ,
x
y
Mxz = x

D=
Kx = 2xD r2
,
x
Py =
,
y
Pz =
z ,
z
x
z
Mzy = z
+x
+y
+z
2
x
y
z
Ky = 2yD r2
,
y
y
y
z
Kz = 2xD r2
where r2 := x2 + y 2 + z 2 .
Problem 7.
Consider the nonlinear one-dimensional diffusion equation

u
un
=0
t
x
x
where n = 1, 2, . . .. An equivalent set of differential forms is given by

= du ut dt ux dx
= (ut nun1 u2x )dx dt un dux dt
with the coordinates t, x, u, ut , ux The exterior derivative of is given
d = dut dt dux dx.
Consider the vector field
V = Vt
+ Vx
+ Vu
+ Vut
+ Vux
.
t
x
u
ut
ux
Then the symmetry vector fields of the partial differential equation are
determined by
LV = g
LV = h + w + rd
where LV (.) denotes the Lie derivative, g, h, r are smooth functions depending on t, x, u, ut , ux and w is a differential one-form also depending on
t, x, u, ut , ux . Find the symmetry vector fields from these two conditions.
Note that we have
LV (d) = d(LV ) = d(g) = (dg) + gd.

Problem 8.
The Harry Dym equation is given by

u
3u
u3 3 = 0.
t
x
Show that it admits the Lie symmetry vector fields

V1 =
,
x
V2 =
+ u , V4 = 3t + u , V5 = x2
+ 2xu .
x
u
t
u
x
u
Is the Lie algebra spanned by these generators semi-simple?
V3 = x
Problem 9.
Given the partial differential equation

2u
= f (u)
xt
where f : R R is a smooth function. Find the condition that

V = a(x, t, u)
+ b(x, t, u) + c(x, t, u)
x
t
u
is a symmetry vector field of the partial differential equation. Start with

the corresponding vertical vector field
Vv = (a(x, t, u)ux b(x, t, u)ut + c(x, t, u))
and calculate first the prolongation. Utilize the differential consequencies

which follow from the partial differential equations
uxt f (u) = 0,
uxxt
df
ux = 0,
du
uxtt
df
ut = 0.
du
Problem 10. Consider the n-dimensional smooth manifold M = Rn with

coordinates (x1 , . . . , xn ) and an arbitrary smooth first order differential
equaion on M
F (x1 , . . . , xn , u/x1 , . . . , u/xn , u) = 0.
Find the symmetry vector fields (sometimes called the infinitesimal symmetries) of this first order partial differential equation. Consider the cotangenet bundle T (M ) over the manifold M with coordinates
(x1 , . . . , xn , p1 , . . . , pn )
Lie Symmetries and Differential Equations
95
and construct the product manifold T (M ) R. Then T (M ) has a canonical differential one-form
n
X
pj dxj
j=1
which provides the contact differential one-form

= du
n
X
pj dxj
j=1
on T (M )R. The solutions of the partial differential equation are surfaces

in T (M ) R
F (x1 , . . . , xn , p1 , . . . , pn , u) = 0
which annul the differential one-form . We construct the closed ideal I
defined by
F (x1 , . . . , xn , p1 , . . . , pn , u)
n
X
= du
pj dxj
j=1
n
X
F
dF =
d =
j=1
n
X
xj
dxj +
F
dpj
pj

+
F
du
u
dxj dpj .
j=1
The surfaces in T (M ) R which annul I will be the solutions of the first

order partial differential equation. Let
n
X
V (x1 , . . . , xn , p1 , . . . , pn , u) =
V xj
+
Vpj
+ Vu
x
p
u
j
j
j=1
j=1
be a smooth vector field. Let LV denote the Lie derivative. Then the
conditions for V to be a symmetry vector field are
LV F = gF
LV = + dF +
n
X
(Aj dxj + Bj dpj ) F.
j=1
Here , , Aj , Bj are smooth functions of x1 , . . . , xn , p1 , . . . , pn and u on

T (Rn ) R, where g, Aj , Bj must be nonsingular in a neighbourhood of
F = 0. Find V .
Chapter 9
Integration
Problem 1. Let (t) = (x(t), y(t)) be a positive oriented simple closed

curve, i.e. x(b) = x(a), y(b) = y(a). Show that
Z
A=
b
0
y(t)x (t)dt =
a
Problem 2.

A=
1
x(t)y (t)dt =
2
0
(x(t)y 0 (t) y(t)x0 (t))dt .
Any SU (2) matrix A can be written as (x0 , x1 , x2 , x3 R)

x0 ix3 ix1 x2
,
x20 + x21 + x22 + x23 = 1
(1)
x2 ix1 x0 + ix3
i.e., det A = 1. Using Euler angles , , the matrix can also be written as

cos(/2)ei(+)/2 sin(/2)ei()/2
A=
.
(2)
sin(/2)ei()/2 cos(/2)ei(+)/2
(i) Show that the invariant measure dg of SU (2) can be written as
dg =
1
(x20 + x21 + x22 + x23 1)dx0 dx1 dx2 dx3
2
where is the Dirac delta function.

(ii) Show that dg is normalized, i.e.
Z
dg = 1 .
96
Integration
97
(iii) Using (1) and (2) find x1 (, , ), x2 (, , ), x3 (, , ). Find the

Jacobian determinant.
(iv) Using the results from (iii) show that the invariant measure can be
written as
1
sin ddd .
16 2
Problem 3. Let M be a smooth, compact, and oriented n-manifold. Let
f : M Rn+1 \ { 0 } be a smooth map. The Kronecker characteristic is
given by the following integral

Z
f
f
n 1
(n+1)
K(f ) := (volS )
kf (x)k
det f (x),
(x), . . . ,
(x) dx
x1
xn
M
where (x = (x1 , x2 , . . . , xn )) are local coordinates of M and dx = dx1 dx2 dxn .
Express this integral in terms of differential forms.
Problem 4. Let C be the unit circle centered at the orign (0, 0). Calculate
I
P dQ QdP
1
2 C P 2 + Q2
where P (x, y) = y, Q(x, y) = x.
Problem 5.
Let S n Rn+1 be given by

S n := { (x1 , . . . , xn+1 ) : x21 + + x2n+1 = 1 } .
Show that the invariant normalized n-differential form on S n is given by

=
1 n/2 n dx1 dxn
2
2
|xn+1 |
where denotes the gamma function.

Problem 6. A volume differential form on a manifold M of dimension n
is an n-form such that (p) 6= 0 at each point p M . Consider M = R3
(or an open set here) with coordiante system (x1 , x, x3 ) with respect to the
usual right-handed orthonormal frame. Then the volume differential form
is defined as
= dx1 dx2 dx3
and hence any differential three-form can be written as
= f (x1 , x2 , x3 )dx1 dx2 dx3

for some function f . The integral of is (if it exists)
Z
Z
=
f (x1 , x2 , x3 )dx1 dx2 dx3 .
R3
R3
(i) Express in terms of spherical coordinates (r, , ) with r 0, 0 <

2, 0
x1 (r, , ) = r sin cos ,
x2 (r, , ) = r sin sin ,
x3 (r, , ) = r cos .
(ii) Express in terms of prolate spherical coordinates (, , ) (a > 0)

x1 (, , ) = a sinh sin cos
x2 (, , ) = a sinh sin sin
x3 (, , ) = a cosh cos .
Problem 7.
Consider the differential 1-form

=
x2 dx1 x1 dx2
x21 + x22
defined on
U = R2 \ {(0, 0)} .
(i) Calculate d.
(ii) Calculate
I
using polar coordinates.
Chapter 10
Lie Groups and Lie

Algebras
Problem 1. Let Rij denote the generators of an SO(n) rotation in the

xi xj plane of the n-dimensional Euclidean space. Give an n-dimensional
matrix representation of these generators and use it to derive the Lie algebra
so(n) of the compact Lie group SO(n).
Problem 2. The Lie group SL(2, C) consists all 2 2 matrices over C
with determinant equal to 1. The group is not compact. The maximal
compact subgroup of SL(2, C) is SU (2). Give a 2 2 matrix A which is an
element of SL(2, C), but not an element of SU (2).
Problem 3. Consider the Lie group G = O(2, 1) and its Lie algebra
o(2, 1) = {K1 , K2 , L3 }, where K1 , K2 are Lorentz boosts and L3 and infinitesimal rotation. The maximal subalgebras of o(2, 1) are represented by
{K1 , K2 + L3 } and {L3 }, nonmaximal subalgebras by {K1 } and {K2 + L3 }.
The two-dimensional subalgebra corresponds to the projective group of a
real line. The one-dimensional subalgebras correspond to the groups O(2),
O(1, 1) and the translations T (1), respectively. Find the o(2, 1) infinitesimal
generators.
99

Problem 4. The group generator of the compact Lie group SU (2) can
be written as

1
z1
+ z2
, J2 =
z2
z1
, J3 =
z1
z2
.
J1 =
2
z2
z1
2
z1
z2
2
z1
z2
(i) Find
J = J1 iJ2 .
J+ = J1 + iJ2 ,
(ii) Let j = 0, 1, 2, . . . and m = j, j + 1, . . . , 0, . . . , j. We define

1
ejm (z1 , z2 ) = p
z1j+m z2jm .
(j + m)!(j m)!
Find
J+ ejm (z1 , z2 ),
J ejm (z1 , z2 ),
J3 ejm (z1 , z2 )
(iii) Let
J 2 = J12 + J22 + J32
1
(J+ J + J J+ ) + J32 .
2
Find
J 2 ejm (z1 , z2 ) .
Problem 5.
Show that the operators
1
L3 =
2

z z

L0 =
z
z
+1 .
2
z
z
L =
L+ = zz,

z
+z
+1 ,
z
z
form a basis for the Lie algebra su(1, 1) under the commutator.
Problem 6. Consider the semi-simple Lie algebra s`(3, R). The dimension of s`(3, R) is 8. Show that the 8 differential operators
J31 = y 2
+ xy
ny,
y
x
J32 = y
,
x
Jd = y
J12 =
,
x
+ 2x
n,
y
x
J21 = x2
J13 =
+ xy
nx,
x
y
,
y
J23 = x
,
y
Jed = 2y
+x
n
y
x
where x, y R and n is a real number. Find all the Lie subalgebras.
Chapter 11
Miscellaneous
Problem 1.
Show that the Burgers equation

u 2 u
u
= (1 + u)
+
t
x x2
can be derived from the metric tensor field

2

2

u
u u u2
u
2
g=
+ dx dx +
+
+
dx dt
4
2
4 2
x
!

2
2
2
u
u
1 u
2
u u u2
+
+
dt dx +
+
+ u dt dt
+
2
4 2
x
4
2 x
4
by setting the curvature R of g equal to 1. Here is a real parameter.
Problem 2. Two systems of nonlinear differential equations that are
integrable by the inverse scattering method are said to be gauge equivalent
if the corresponding flat connections Uj , Vj , j = 1, 2, are defined in the
same fibre bundle and obtained from each other by a -independent gauge
transformation, i.e. if
U1 = gU2 g 1 +
g 1
g ,
x
V1 = gV2 g 1 +
g 1
g
t
(1)
where g(x, t) GL(n, R). We have

U1
V1
+ [U1 , V1 ] = 0.
t
x
101
(2)

Show that
Problem 3.
dimension
U2
V2
+ [U2 , V2 ] = 0.
t
x
(3)
Consider the nonlinear Schr

odinger equation in one space
2
+ 2||2 = 0
+
t
x2
and the Heisenberg ferromagnet equation in one space dimension
i
S
2S
,
=S
t
x2
S2 = 1
(1)
(2)
where S = (S1 , S2 , S3 )T . Both equations are integrable by the inverse

scattering method. Both arise as the consistency condition of a system of
linear differential equations
= U (x, t, ),
t
= V (x, t, )
x
(3)
where is a complex parameter. The consistency conditions have the form

V
U
+ [U, V ] = 0
t
x
(4)
(i) Show that 1 = g2 .

(ii) Show that (1) and (2) are gauge equivalent.
Problem 4. The study of certain questions in the theory of SU (2) gauge
fields reduced to the construction of exact solutions of the following nonlinear system of partial differential equations
2

u
2u
u u u u v
v
v
v
u
+
+
+
= 0.
y y z z
y y z z y y z z
2

v
2v
v u v u
u
+
2
+
=0
y y z z
y y z z
2

v
2 v
v u
v u
+
2
+
= 0,
(1)
u
yy zz
y y
z z
where u is a real function and v and v are complex unknown functions of
the real variables x1 , . . . , x4 . The quantities y and z are complex variables
expressed in terms of x1 , . . . , x4 by the formulas
2y := x1 + ix2 ,
2z := x3 ix4
(2)
Miscellaneous
103
and the bar over letters indicates the operation of complex conjugations.
(i) Show that a class of exact solutions of the system (1) can be constructed,
namely solutions for the linear system
v
u
= 0,
y
z
v u
=0
z
y
(3)
where we assume that u, v, and v are functions of the variables

r := (2y y)1/2 = (x21 + x22 )1/2
(4)
and x3 , i.e., for the stationary, axially symmetric case. (ii) Show that a
class of exact solutions of (1) can be given, where
u = u(w),
v = v(w),
v = v(w)
(5)
where w is a solution of the Laplace equation in complex notation

2u
2u
+
= 0,
y y z z
and u, v and v satisfy
2

d2 u
dv d
du
v
u 2
+
= 0,
dw
dw
dw dw
d2 v
dv du
= 0.
2
2
dw
dw dw
Hint. Let z = x + iy, where x, y R. Then

:=
i
,
:=
+i
z
2 x
y
z
2 x
y
(6)
(7)
(8)
Problem 5. The spherically symmetric SU(2) Yang-Mills equations can

be written as
1
2
= A0 2 A1 1
(1a)
t
r
2
1
+
= A1 2 + A0 1
(1b)
t
r

A1
A0
r2
= 1 (21 + 22 )
(1c)
t
r
where r is the spatial radius-vector and t is the time. To find partial
solutions of these equations, two methods can be used. The first method is
the inverse scattering theory technique, where the [L, A]-pair is found, and
the second method is based on Backlund transformations.
(ii) Show that system (1) can be reduced to the classical Liouville equation,
and its general solution can be obtained for any gauge condition.

Problem 6. We consider the Georgi-Glashow model with gauge group
SU (2) broken down to U (1) by Higgs triplets. The Lagrangian of the model
is
1 a a 1
F
+ D a D a V ()
(1)
L := F
4
2
where
a
F
:= Aa Aa + gabc Ab Ac
(2)
D a := a + gabc Ab c
and
V () :=
4
m2

(3)
2
.
(4)
(i) Show that the equations of motion are

D F a = gabc (D b )c ,
D D a = (m2 2 )a .
(5)
(ii) Show that the vacuum expectation value of the scalar field and Higgs
boson mass are
m2
(6)
h2 i = F 2 =
and
MH = 2F,
respectively. Mass of the gauge boson is Mw = gF .
(iii) Using the time-dependent t Hooft-Polyakov ansatz
1 K(r, t)
,
r2
1 H(r, t)
ra
g
r2
(7)
where rn = xn and r is the radial variable. Show that the equations of
motion (5) can be written as
2

2
2
r
2 K = (K 2 + H 2 1)
(8a)
r2
t

2
2
H 2
2
2 2
r2
H
=
H
2K
m
r
+
.
(8b)
r2
t2
g2
Aa0 (r, t) = 0,
Aai (r, t) = ain rn
a (r, t) =
(iv) Show that with

:=
MH
=
g2
2Mw2
and introducing the variables := Mw r and := Mw t, system (8) becomes

2

2
K(K 2 + H 2 1)
K=
(10a)
2
2
Miscellaneous

2
2
2
2

H=
H(2K 2 + (H 2 2 ))
.
2
105
(10b)
(v) The total energy of the system E is given by

C() =
Z
K2
H2
1
+ + K2 +
2
2
H
H
g2 E
=
4Mw
2
K 2H 2
+ 2 (K 2 1)2 +
+ 2 (H 2 2 )2
2
2
4
(10)
As time-independent version of the ansatz (3) gives the t Hooft-Polyakov
monopole solution with winding number 1. Show that for finiteness of
energy the field variables should satisfy the following conditions
H 0,
K1
as
(11)
and
H ,
K0
as .
(12)
The t Hooft-Polyakov monopole is more realistic than the Wu-Yang monopole;

it is non-singular and has finite energy.
(vi) Show that in the limit 0, known as the Prasad-Somerfeld limit,
we have the static solutions,
K() =
Problem 7.
,
sinh
H() = coth 1.
Consider the Lorenz model

dx
= x + y = V1 (x, y, z)
dt
dy
= xz + rx y = V2 (x, y, z)
dt
dz
= xy bz = V3 (x, y, z)
dt
with the vector field

V = V1 (x, y, z)
+ V2 (x, y, z)
+ V3 (x, y, z)
x
y
z
(i) Find curlV .

(ii) Show that curl(curlV ) = 0.
(13)
!
d.

(iii) Since curl(curl(V )) = 0 we can find a smooth function such that
curlV = grad() .
Find .
Problem 8.
Consider the linear operators L and M defined by

L(x, t, ) := i
+ U (x, t, ) (x, t, )
x

M (x, t, ) := i + V (x, t, ) (x, t, ) .

t
Find the condition on L and M such that [L, M ] = 0, where [ , ] denotes the
commutator. The potentials U (x, t, ) and V (x, t, ) are typicaly chosen as
elements of some semisimple Lie algebra.
Miscellaneous
107
Bibliography
108
Bibliography
[1] Ablowitz M. J. and Segur H. (1981) Solitons and the inverse scattering
transform, SIAM, Philadelphia.
[2] Anderson L. and Ibragimov N.H. (1979) Lie-B
acklund Transformations
in Applications, SIAM, Philadelphia.
[3] Baumslag B. and Chandler B. (1968) Group Theory, Schaums Outline
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Index
Anti-de Sitter space, 32
Bergman metric, 80
Brieskorn manifolds, 6
Burgers equation, 101
Cartan form, 48, 49
Cartan-Maurer equations, 83
Cayley-Hamilton theorem, 18
Chazy equation, 92
Chens model, 56, 67
Coulomb potential, 9
Curvature, 4
Darboux element, 71
Darboux polynomial, 71
de Sitter space, 31
de Sitter universe, 80
Einstein equation, 38, 39
Enneper surface, 15
Euler angles, 96
Exterior derivative, 42
Exterior product, 42
Hopf map, 3
Hyperbolid, 40
Hyperboloid, 4
Iwasawa decomposition, 84
Kahler potential, 40
Klein bagel, 10, 33
Korteweg-de Vries equation, 86
Kronecker characteristic, 97
Kustaanheimo-Stiefel transformation,
25
Laplace equation, 92
Left invariant, 82
Lemniscate of Gerono, 53
Lorenz model, 56, 67
Mobius band, 7
Maurer-Cartan equations, 84
Minimal surface, 6
Minimal Thomson surfaces, 15
Monkey saddle, 9
Nonlinear Schrodinger equation, 102
Frenet frame, 13
gauge equivalent, 101
Gaussian curvature, 7
Georgi-Glashow model, 104
Oblate spheroidal coordinates, 36

Open disc, 10
Poincare upper half-plane, 32

Poisson bracket, 24
Hammer projection, 14
Prandtl boundary layer equation, 92
Harry Dym equation, 94
Prolate spherical coordinates, 98
Heisenberg ferromagnet equation, 102 Prolate spheroidal coordinates, 9
Helicoid, 6, 15
Higgs triplets, 104
Rindler coordinates, 6
117
118
Self-dual Yang-Mills equations, 89
Space cardioid, 17
Sphero-conical coordinates, 37
Stereographic projection, 1, 3, 6
Structural constants, 83
Structure equation, 85
Superquadric surface, 5
Symmetry, 11
Symplectic, 44
Toroidal coordinates, 50
Torus, 1, 7, 18
Unit ball, 5
Zeta function, 8
Index

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Problems and Solutions

1 Curves, Surfaces and Manifolds

2 Vector Fields and Lie Series

3 Metric Tensor Fields

4 Differential Forms and Applications

5 Lie Derivative and Applications

6 Killing Vector Fields and Lie Algebras

7 Lie-Algebra Valued Differential Forms

8 Lie Symmetries and Differential Equations

10 Lie Groups and Lie Algebras

Curves, Surfaces and

Consider the compact differentiable manifold

An element S 2 can be written as

(i) Let = 0 and arbitrary. Find x1 , x2 . Give a geometric interpretation.

The parameter representation for the torus is given by

2 Problems and Solutions

Let x, y R. Consider the map

Consider the two-dimensional unit sphere

Show that S 2 is an orientable two-dimensional differentiable manifold. Use

Problem 5. Cn is an n-dimensional complex manifold. The complex

Curves, Surfaces and Manifolds

for the equivalence relation

S n := { (x1 , x2 , . . . , xn+1 ) : x21 + x22 + + x2n+1 = 1 }.

The stereographic projection is the map : S 2 \ N C

4 Problems and Solutions

Show that a parameter representation of the hyperboloid

x2 (t) = sinh(t) cos(),

x3 (t) = sinh(t) sin()

where 0 t < and 0 2.

Consider the upper sheet of the hyperboloid

H 2 := { v R3 : v2 = v02 v12 v22 = 1 , v0 > 0 }.

Find the stereographic projection of the two-dimensional

Consider the curve

Show that the curvature is given by

Curves, Surfaces and Manifolds

Consider the unit ball

Let (t) = (x(t), y(t), z(t)) be a parametrized differentiable curve on S 2 .

Find x21 + x22 + x23 . Note that

Problem 18. Let d = (d0 , d1 , . . . , dn ) be an (n + 1)-tuple of integers

6 Problems and Solutions

(i) Let w = 1. Find r(w).

(i) Consider the rational curve in the plane

Find the parameter representation x(t), y(t).

Find the inverse transformation.

Show that the helicoid

Curves, Surfaces and Manifolds

Let C be the topological space given by the boundary of

x(u, v) = ((2 v sin(u/2)) sin(u), (2 v sin(u/2)) cos(u), v cos(u/2)) .

Given the surface in R3

8 Problems and Solutions

Consider the curve given by

(i) Consider the transformation in R3

where a 0 and 0 1 < 2. Find

Curves, Surfaces and Manifolds

where a 0, 0 1 < 2 and 0 2 . Find

Let , , , R. Consider the vector in R5

cosh() sin() cos()

Show that the surface C of the unit cube

The equation of the monkey saddle surface in R3 is given

where is a deformation parameter.