We report several important additions to our original discussion of Ermakov systems. First, we show how to derive the Ermakov system from more general equations of motion. Second, we show that there is a general nonlinear superposition law for Ermakov systems. Also, we give explicit examples of the nonlinear superposition law. Finally, we point out that any ordinary differential equation can be included in many Ermakov systems.
Several methods for deriving invariants for time-dependent systems have been developed.Four of these methods are as follows: (1) dynamical algebra, (2) Noether's theorem, (3) transformation group, and (4) Ermakov's method. These four methods are related by their use in deriving invariants for the forced, time-dependent oscillator. For this system the methods give the same results. We also discuss forced, nonlinear oscillators possessing analogous invariants. The nonlinear superposition laws for the forced oscillator are derived and discussed.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.