On oscillation properties of self-adjoint boundary value problems of fourth order (Q2243836)

In this paper, some results and methods that make it possible to keep track of the relationship between the number of internal zeros of the solution to a self-adjoint boundary value problem of fourth-order \[ [p(t)(y'')]''-[q(t)y']'+r(t)y=0 \] with \[ By^{\wedge}+Cy^{\vee}=0, \] and the (negative) index of inertia of this problem are presented, where \(B\) and \(C\) are block diagonal real matrices of order four and they satisfy the equation \[ B^{-1}\operatorname{im}C={\mathbb R}^4\ominus\operatorname{ker}C. \] The types of problems are specified for which such a connection can be established. It is also specified that the types of problems for which a connection between the inertia index and the number of internal zeros of the derivatives of nontrivial solutions can be established. Examples demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed new approach to an oscillatory problem are considered.