Question: Let $\mathbb{X}$ be the vector field given by $\mathbb{X}(x,y)=(x,y)$
Compute its flow $\Phi(x,y)$
Attempt: We have $\dot{x}(t)=x\therefore$$$\int_{x_0}^{x(t)}dx'=\int_{0}^{t}x(t')dt'$$
$$\left.x'\right|_{x_0}^{x(t)}=\left.\pm e^{t'}\right|_0^t$$
$$x(t)-x_0=\pm e^t-1$$
$$x(t)=\pm e^t+x_0-1$$
And something similar for $y$
Giving flow:
$\Phi(x,y)=(\pm e^t+x-1,\pm e^t+y-1)$
Is this right? Any help or comments would be greatly appreciated
Best Answer
Hint: vector field generates the system of differential equations:
$$ \dot{{\rm x}} = {\mathbb X}({\rm x}), $$ where ${\rm x} = (x,y)$. This system could be rewritten as
$$ \left \lbrace \begin{array}{ccc} \dot{x} &= x \\ \dot{y} &= y \end{array} \right . $$
Note on solving:
If you solve $\dot{x} = x $ by separation of variables, then you should obtain this
$$ \frac{d x}{dt} = x $$ $$ \frac{d x}{x} = dt $$ $$ \int\limits_{x_0}^{x(t^\ast)} \frac{d x}{x} = \int\limits_{0}^{t^\ast} dt $$ $$ \ln{\frac{x(t^\ast)}{x_0}} = t^\ast $$ $$ x(t^\ast) = x_0 \cdot e^{t^\ast} $$