Optimal systems and their group-invariant solutions to geodesic equations

Abstract

We find one-dimensional optimal systems of the Lie subalgebras of Noether symmetries associated with systems of geodesic equations. Further, we find invariants corresponding to each element of the derived optimal system. The derived invariants are shown to reduce systems of geodesic equations (nonlinear systems of quadratically semi-linear second-order ordinary differential equations (ODEs)) to nonlinear systems of first-order ODEs. The resulting systems are solved via known methods (e.g. separation of variables, integrating factor, etc.). In some cases, we provide exact solutions of these systems of geodesic equations.