A theorem on elliptic differential inequalities with an application to gradient bounds (Q1103780)

Let L be a linear second order elliptic operator defined in a bounded domain D of R n with boundary \(\Gamma\). The strong minimum principle states that \(Lu+cu\leq 0\) in D, \(u\geq 0\) on \(\Gamma\) implies \(u\equiv 0\) in D or \(u>0\) in D if \(c=c(x)\leq 0\). A theorem of this kind is proved for the case where c is allowed to assume positive values. It applies in particular to the case where c is the first eigenvalue of the eigenvalue problem \(Lu+\lambda u=0\) in D, \(u=0\) on \(\Gamma\). Using this theorem, recent results of \textit{C. Pucci} [Boll. Unione Mat. Ital., VII. Ser., A 1, 135-139 (1987; Zbl 0628.35034)] and \textit{H. F. Weinberger} [Rend. Mat., VI. Ser. 8, 295-310 (1975; Zbl 0312.35043)] on bounds for directional derivatives of solutions of nonlinear elliptic equations are generalized.