Invariant difference schemes and their application to $SL(2,\mathbb{R})$ invariant ordinary differential equations

TL;DR

This paper introduces a general method for discretizing ordinary differential equations that preserves their Lie point symmetries, improving qualitative accuracy especially near singularities.

Contribution

The paper develops a symmetry-preserving discretization method applicable to any ODE with a nontrivial symmetry group, demonstrated on $SL(2,bR)$ invariant equations.

Findings

Symmetry-preserving schemes outperform standard methods near singularities.

The method effectively captures solutions beyond singular points.

Numerical solutions maintain qualitative features of the continuous equations.

Abstract

We present an exposition of a method of discretizing ordinary differential equations while preserving their Lie point symmetries. This method is very general and can be applied to any ODE with a nontrivial symmetry group. The method is applied to obtain numerical slutions of second and third order ODEs invariant under two different realizations of $SL(2,\mathbb{R})$. The symmetry preserving method is shown to provide a better qualitative description of solutions than standard methods. In particular it provides solutions that are valid close to singularities and beyond them.