Nontrivial solutions of singular nonlinear \(m\)-point boundary value problems. (Q1406987)

This paper deals with a boundary value problem of the form \[ u''+f(t,u)=0, u(0)=\sum_{i=1}^{m-2}a_i u(\xi_i), u'(1)=\sum_{i=1}^{m-2}b_i u'(\xi_i), \] where \(m\geq 3, 0<\xi_1<\xi_2<\dots <\xi_{m-2} <1, a_i,b_i \geq 0\) and \(f\) may be singular in \(t\). Under the assumption that \(f\) is either superlinear or sublinear in \(u=0\) and \(u=+\infty\), the existence of at least one nontrivial solution to the given problem is proven. The problem of the existence of at least one positive solution, in case that \(f=f(t,x)\) is also singular in the second variable, is treated as well. The proof is performed by means of a fixed-point theorem in cones. Besides the papers quoted by the author, the interested reader may consult [\textit{Y. Guo}, \textit{W. Shan} and \textit{W. Ge}, J. Comput. Appl. Math. 151, No. 2, 415--424 (2003; Zbl 1026.34016)].