An equivalence theorem on properties A, B for third order differential equations (Q1817929)

This article contains oscillation and comparison properties of third-order differential equations of type \[ -[p^{-1} (q^{-1} y')']'= rf(y) \quad\text{in }\mathbb{R}_+, \tag \(E_{p,q,r}\) \] where \(p,q,r\in C(\mathbb{R}_+, \mathbb{R}_+)\), \(p\), \(q\), \(r\) are strictly positive, \(f\in C(\mathbb{R}, \mathbb{R})\), \(f(0)= 0\), \(uf(u)> 0\) for all \(u\neq 0\), and \(\liminf_{|u|\to\infty} f(u)/u>0\). In the linear case \(f(y)\equiv y\), \((E_{p,q,r})\) is denoted by \((L_{p,q,r})\). ``Quasiderivatives'' of \(y\) are defined as \(y^{[0]}= y\), \(y^{[1]}= q^{-1} y'\), \(y^{[2]}= p^{-1} (y^{[1]})'\). As usual, \((E_{p,q,r})\) is said to have property A [property B] when every proper solution \(y\) either is oscillatory or satisfies \(|y^{[i]} (t)|\downarrow 0\) \([|y^{[i]} (t)|\uparrow \infty\), respectively] as \(t\to\infty\) for every \(i=0,1,2\). The main equivalence theorem states that \((L_{p,q,r})\) has property A if and only if \((L_{q,p,-r})\) has property B. Applications include the following comparison theorem: Suppose \(\int_0^\infty p=+ \infty= \int_0^\infty q\). If \((L_{p,q,kr})\) has property A for every positive constant \(k\), then \((E_{p,q,r})\) has property A and \((E_{q,p,-r})\) has property B. The results generalize those of \textit{M. Hanan} [Pac. J. Math. 11, 919-944 (1961; Zbl 0104.30901)], \textit{I. T. Kiguradze} and \textit{T. A. Chanturiya} [Mathematics and its applications, Sov. Ser. 89, Kluwer, Dordrecht (1993; Zbl 0782.34002)], and others cited therein.