Reduction operators of generalized Burgers equations are studied. A connection between these equations and potential fast diffusion equations with power nonlinearity -1 via reduction operators is established. Exact solutions of generalized Burgers equations are constructed using this connection and known solutions of the constant-coefficient potential fast diffusion equation.Comment: 7 page

Using advanced classification techniques, we carry out the extended symmetry analysis of the class of generalized Burgers equations of the form $u_t+uu_x+f(t,x)u_{xx}=0$. This enhances all the previous results on symmetries of these equations and includes the description of admissible transformations, Lie symmetries, Lie and nonclassical reductions, conservation laws, potential admissible transformations and potential symmetries. The study is based on the fact that the class is normalized, and its equivalence group is finite-dimensional.Comment: 31 pages, 2 tables, minor correction

Admissible point transformations between Burgers equations with linear damping and timedependent coefficients are described and used in order to exhaustively classify Lie symmetries of these equations. Optimal systems of one-and two-dimensional subalgebras of the Lie invariance algebras obtained are constructed. The corresponding Lie reductions to ODEs and to algebraic equations are carried out. Exact solutions to particular equations are found. Some generalized Burgers equations are linearized to the heat equation by composing equivalence transformations with the Hopf-Cole transformation.

The solution of the problem on reduction operators and nonclassical reductions of the Burgers equation is systematically treated and completed. A new proof of the theorem on the special “no-go” case of regular reduction operators is presented, and the representation of the coefficients of operators in terms of solutions of the initial equation is constructed for this case. All possible nonclassical reductions of the Burgers equation to single ordinary differential equations are exhaustively described. Any Lie reduction of the Burgers equation proves to be equivalent via the Hopf–Cole transformation to a parameterized family of Lie reductions of the linear heat equation.