Rank 2 distributions of Monge equations: symmetries, equivalences, extensions (Q639558)

The purpose of this nice paper is to obtain a complete classification of the classical Monge equations that admit a maximal symmetry algebra of finite dimension with fixed (albeit arbitrary) orders. To this end, the Tanaka theory for rank two distributions is developed [\textit{B. Kruglikov}, ``Finite-dimensionality in Tanaka theory'', Ann. Inst. Henri Poincaré, Anal. Non Linéaire 28, No.~1, 75--90 (2011; Zbl 1260.58001)]. In particular, a new theorem of Lie-Bäcklund type is obtained. For the case of flat Monge equations, it is shown that these are all integrable extensions of the Hilbert-Cartan equation. Further, it is shown that the method is also applicable to PDEs. An especially nice example is given for Cartan's most symmetric involutive model, where flat nontrivial integrable extensions are constructed.