Linear or linearizable first-order delay ordinary differential equations and their Lie point symmetries

Abstract

A previous article was devoted to an analysis of the symmetry properties of a class of first-order delay ordinary differential systems (DODSs). Here we concentrate on linear DODSs. They have infinite-dimensional Lie point symmetry groups due to the linear superposition principle. Their symmetry algebra always contains a two-dimensional {sub}algebra realized by linearly connected vector fields. We identify all classes of linear first-order DODSs that have additional symmetries, not due to linearity alone. We present representatives of each class. These additional symmetries are then used to construct exact analytical particular solutions using symmetry reduction.