A note on nonclassical symmetries of a class of nonlinear partial differential equations and compatibility

The nonclassical symmetries of a class of nonlinear partial differential equations obtained by the compatibility method is investigated. We show the nonclassical symmetries obtained in [J. Math. Anal. Appl. 289 (2004) 55, J. Math. Anal. Appl. 311 (2005) 479] are not all the nonclassical symmetries. Based on a new assume on the form of invariant surface condition, all the nonclassical symmetries for a class of nonlinear partial differential equations can be obtained through the compatibility method. The nonlinear Klein-Gordon equation and the Cahn-Hilliard equations all serve as examples showing the compatibility method leads quickly and easily to the determining equations for their all nonclassical symmetries for two equations.