Lie Symmetry Analysis of Differential Equations in Finance

Abstract

Lie group theory is applied to differential equations occurring as mathematical models in financial problems. We begin with the complete symmetry analysis of the one-dimensional Black–Scholes model and show that this equation is included in Sophus Lie's classification of linear second-order partial differential equations with two independent variables. Consequently, the Black–Scholes transformation of this model into the heat transfer equation follows directly from Lie's equivalence transformation formulas. Then we carry out the classification of the two-dimensional Jacobs–Jones model equations according to their symmetry groups. The classification provides a theoretical background for constructing exact (invariant) solutions, examples of which are presented.