Geometrical conditions for oscillation of second-order half-linear differential equations (Q949811)

This paper deals with the second-order half-linear differential equation \[ (\phi_p(\dot x))^\cdot+a(t)\phi_p(\dot x)+b(t)\phi_p(x)= 0, \] where \(\cdot =\frac{d}{dt}\), \(a\) and \(b\) are continuous on \([0,\infty)\), \(\phi_p(z)=| z| ^{p-2} z\) is a real-valued function with \(p>1\) a fixed real number. New criteria for all nontrivial solutions to be oscillatory are established. The parametric curve given by \((a(t),b(t))\) plays a critical role in judging whether all solutions are oscillatory or nonoscillatory. This paper takes an approach that is different from most of the previous research. The results are new even in the linear case \((p=2)\). The method used in the paper is mainly phase plane analysis for a system equivalent to the half-linear differential equation. Some suitable examples are included to illustrate the main results. Global portraits are also attached.