Math 2.0

Ordinary differential equations Proof

Proof that time translates of solutions of an autonomous system are solutions

Builds on Autonomous systemSolution of an ordinary differential equation

Proof

We compute the derivative of δ\delta from its difference quotients.

  1. The set I−cI - c is an interval, since it is the image of the interval II under the shift t↦t−ct \mapsto t - c.
  2. For t∈I−ct \in I - c we have t+c∈It + c \in I. So δ(t)=γ(t+c)\delta(t) = \gamma(t + c) is defined, and δ(t)∈U\delta(t) \in U because γ\gamma takes values in UU.
  3. Fix t∈I−ct \in I - c. For each real h≠0h \ne 0 with t+h∈I−ct + h \in I - c, we have δ(t+h)−δ(t)h=γ(t+c+h)−γ(t+c)h\dfrac{\delta(t + h) - \delta(t)}{h} = \dfrac{\gamma(t + c + h) - \gamma(t + c)}{h}.
  4. As h→0h \to 0, the right side tends to γ′(t+c)\gamma'(t + c), because γ\gamma is differentiable at t+c∈It + c \in I. Here the admissible hh are the same on both sides, so one-sided derivatives at endpoints also match.
  5. So δ\delta is differentiable at tt and δ′(t)=γ′(t+c)\delta'(t) = \gamma'(t + c).
  6. Since γ\gamma is a solution of the autonomous system, γ′(t+c)=f(γ(t+c))=f(δ(t))\gamma'(t + c) = f(\gamma(t + c)) = f(\delta(t)).
  7. Hence δ′(t)=f(δ(t))\delta'(t) = f(\delta(t)) for each t∈I−ct \in I - c, and δ\delta is a solution of x′=f(x)x' = f(x) on I−cI - c.

Idea

The right side f(x)f(x) does not depend on time. Shifting the time variable does not change the derivative of a curve, so the shifted curve still has velocity ff at its own position.

Reading path

To understand this page from the ground up, read these 7 pages in order. The foundations come first.

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Each page uses the pages above it. The colour of the bar on a box shows how strong the evidence is, and the box also gives it as text. The list has the same pages.
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  1. Differential equation concept
  2. Function concept
  3. Interval concept
  4. Ordinary differential equation definition
  5. Solution of an ordinary differential equation definition
  6. Autonomous system definition
  7. Proof that time translates of solutions of an autonomous system are solutions proof

Where this leads

1 page builds on this one.

Further reading

  1. Web https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_system_(mathematics), Properties
About this page
Tag6J83GN4KB8
URIm2://6J83GN4KB8
Kindproof
WritingW0 stub
MSC34A34
ProvesTime translation of solutions of an autonomous system
UsesAutonomous system, Solution of an ordinary differential equation
Changed4 November 2026

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