On the complete integrability and linearization of certain second-order nonlinear ordinary differential equations

Abstract

A method for finding general solutions of second-order nonlinear ordinary differential equations by extending the Prelle-Singer (PS) method is briefly discussed. We explore integrating factors, integrals of motion and the general solution associated with several dynamical systems discussed in the current literature by employing our modifications and extensions of the PS method. We also introduce a novel way of deriving linearizing transformations from the first integrals to linearize the second-order nonlinear ordinary differential equations to free particle equations. We illustrate the theory with several potentially important examples and show that our procedure is widely applicable.