Asymptotic integration of differential and difference equations (Q2348136)

This monograph is devoted to the study of the asymptotic behavior of solutions of differential and difference equations. In particular, it is shown that the principles attributed by \textit{N. Levinson} [Duke Math. J. 15, 111--126 (1948; Zbl 0040.19402)] -- now referred to as asymptotic integration -- can be applied to much wider classes of differential equations. Corresponding results for difference equations are also discussed. Related topics for differential equations were considered in the monograph [The asymptotic solution of linear differential systems. Applications of the Levinson theorem. Oxford: Clarendon Press (1989; Zbl 0674.34045)] by \textit{M. S. P. Eastham}. The authors extend and supplement Eastham's work by including many recent contributions and some earlier results not found there. The book consists of 10 chapters, bibliography, and index. Chapter 1 is devoted to introduction, notation, and background. In Chapters 2--7, broad types of theoretical results are discussed which are applied to rather general classes of systems. More precisely, Chapter 2 is concerned with the asymptotic integration of differential systems. Among the rest, it contains Levinson like results, and various (dichotomy) conditions are discussed. Asymptotic representation for solution of difference systems is treated in Chapter 3. Chapters 4 and 5 deal with conditioning transformations for differential systems and difference systems, respectively. Perturbations of Jordan differential systems and Jordan difference systems are discussed in Chapter 6 and Chapter 7, respectively. In Chapters 8 and 9, applications to some special situations are considered, usually to scalar equations with coefficients having particular properties, and it is compared what can be achieved by applying results from the general approach with what was previously known using ad hoc methods. The last chapter offers the asymptotic theory for dynamic equations on time scales; such a theory, among others, unifies some of the parallel results for differential and difference equations from the previous chapters. The monograph is written very carefully. The authors show that many existing results can be achieved (often quite simply) by certain fundamental principles; many of the statements are improved. They give useful explanatory and/or historical comments to theorems, approaches used in the proofs, and the results in the literature. This book is a self-contained and clearly structured presentation of important results in asymptotic integration and the techniques which are used in this field. I have really enjoyed reading it. This text appeals to (non-)experts who are interested in asymptotic behavior of solutions to differential and difference equations. It can be of interest to students in mathematics, applied sciences, and engineering. For anyone who works in asymptotic integration, this monograph is a must.