Oscillation criteria in neutral equations of \(n\)-order with variable coefficients (Q1187066)

The oscillatory behaviour of the \(n\)-th order neutral delay differential equation \[ (d^ n/dt^ n)[y(t)+P(t)y(t-\tau)]+M(t)y(t-\sigma)=0\leqno (1) \] \(P\), \(M\) continuous, \(M>0\), is considered. For \(n=1\), \(-1\leq P\leq 0\), \(R'\leq 0\), \(1-R(t)\int^{t+\sigma}_{t-\tau}M(s)ds\leq 0\), where \(R(t)=P(t-\sigma)M(t)/M(t-\tau)\), every solution of (1) oscillates. Also some theorems connected with (1) for \(n\) odd and positive \(M\) are demonstrated. The assumptions of the theorems are new and extend known results.