Conditional and approximate symmetries for nonlinear partial differential equations

M.Sc.In this work we concentrate on two generalizations of Lie symmetries namely conditional symmetries in the form of Q-symmetries and approximate symmetries. The theorems and definitions presented can be used to obtain exact and approximate solutions for nonlinear partial differential equations. These are then applied to various nonlinear heat and wave equations and many interesting solutions are given. Chapters 1 and 2 gives an introduction to the classical Lie approach. Chapters 3, 4 and 5 deals with conditional -, approximate -, and approximate conditional symmetries respectively. In chapter 6 we give a review of symbolic algebra computer packages available to aid in the search for symmetries, as well as useful REDUCE programs which were written to obtain the results given in chapters 2 to 5