(xournal 195)
Key idea to start reasoning: Lemma
Given a closed 1-form on an open set , a vector field is a symmetry of the Pfaffian system if and only if is a first integral of . Proof
The function is a first integral if and only if . Taking into account Cartan formula this is equivalent to
And this is true if and only if for some function , i.e., is a symmetry of the Pfaffian system
From here we can conclude several interesting facts, like those on @sherring1992geometric:
Proposition 1
Given a Frobenius integrable 1-form and a vector field then a function satisfies is a symmetry of (is a symmetrizing factor) if and only if is an integrating factor of . Proof
We know that there exist an integrating factor, that is, a function such that is closed. Taking into account that =, and according to the Lemma above, is a symmetry of if and only if is a first integral. Now observe that
and this is a first integral if and only if is an integrating factor.
Proposition 2
Given a symmetry , then is an integrating factor. Proof
Take in Proposition 1.
Proposition 3
Given a Frobenius integrable 1-form, a smooth function is an integrating factor if there exists a symmetry such that . Proof
Take any such that . Since is an integrating factor, by Proposition 1 is a symmetrizing factor for , so is a symmetry. It is easy to check that