A class of variable coefficient (1 + 1)-dimensional nonlinear reaction-diffusion equations of the general form f (x)u t = (g(x)u n u x ) x + h(x)u m is investigated. Different kinds of equivalence groups are constructed including ones with transformations which are nonlocal with respect to arbitrary elements. For the class under consideration the complete group classification is performed with respect to convenient equivalence groups (generalized extended and conditional ones) and with respect to the set of all local transformations. Usage of different equivalences and coefficient gauges plays the major role for simple and clear formulation of the final results. The corresponding set of admissible transformations is described exhaustively. Then, using the most direct method, we classify local conservation laws. Some exact solutions are constructed by the classical Lie method.

A new approach to group classification problems and more general investigations on transformational properties of classes of differential equations is proposed. It is based on mappings between classes of differential equations, generated by families of point transformations. A class of variable coefficientis studied from the symmetry point of view in the framework of the approach proposed. The singular subclass of the equations with m = 2 is singled out. The group classifications of the entire class, the singular subclass and their images are performed with respect to both the corresponding (generalized extended) equivalence groups and all point transformations. The set of admissible transformations of the imaged class is exhaustively described in the general case m = 2. The procedure of classification of nonclassical symmetries, which involves mappings between classes of differential equations, is discussed. Wide families of new exact solutions are also constructed for equations from the classes under consideration by the classical method of Lie reductions and by generation of new solutions from known ones for other equations with point transformations of different kinds (such as additional equivalence transformations and mappings between classes of equations).

a b s t r a c tThe group classification of a class of variable coefficient reaction-diffusion equations with exponential nonlinearities is carried out up to both the equivalence generated by the corresponding generalized equivalence group and the general point equivalence. The set of admissible transformations of this class is exhaustively described via finding the complete family of maximal normalized subclasses and associated conditional equivalence groups. Limit processes between variable coefficient reaction-diffusion equations with power nonlinearities and those with exponential nonlinearities are simultaneously studied with limit processes between objects related to these equations (including Lie symmetries, exact solutions and conservation laws).