The index of linear differential algebraic equations with properly stated leading terms (Q1412408)

Linear differential-algebraic equations (DAEs) of the form \[ A(t)(D(\cdot) x(\cdot))^{\prime}(t) + B(t) x(t) = q(t) \tag{1} \] in \(x\) are considered. Here, \(A(t)\), \(D(t)\) and \(B(t)\) are matrices that depend continuously on \(t\in I\), and \(I\subseteq\mathbb{R}\) is an interval. \(x\colon I\to\mathbb{R}^m\) is a solution of (1) if \(x\) is continuous, \(t\mapsto D(t)x(t)\) is continuously differentiable, and (1) holds for all \(t\in I\). DAE (1) is said to have a properly stated leading term if \(\ker A(t)\oplus \text{ im } D(t)=\mathbb{R}^n\) holds for all \(t\in I\) and \(\ker A(t)\) and \(\text{ im } D(t)\) have bases that are continuously differentiable in \(t\). Generalizing known concepts and techniques, e.g., [the author, J. Math. Anal. Appl. 140, No. 1, 177--199 (1989; Zbl 0672.34006), Acta Numerica 1992, 141--198 (1992; Zbl 0769.65044)], the author defines an index of (1) under certain assumptions and shows that this index is invariant with respect to both linear changes of coordinates and refactorizations of the coefficients of (1). Ordinary differential equations inherent in (1) are derived and discussed.