Picard values and derivatives of meromorphic functions (Q2386860)

Let \(f(z)\) be a transcendental meromorphic function, and let \(R(z)\) be a rational function. The author studies a value distribution of \(f^{(k)}(z)- R(z)\), where \(k\) is a positive integer, with some multiple conditions. This research stands in the directions of \textit{Y. Wang} and \textit{M. Fang} [Acta Math. Sin., New Ser. 14, No. 1, 17--26 (1998; Zbl 0909.30025)], and \textit{W. Bergweiler} and \textit{X. Pang} [J. Math. Anal. Appl. 278, No. 2, 285--292 (2003; Zbl 1160.30341)]. The author proves the following results. If all zeros of \(f(z)\) have multiplicity at least \(k+ 1\) and all poles of \(f(z)\) have multiplicity at least 2, except possibly finitely many, then \(f^{(k)}(z)- R(z)\) has infinitely many zeros. If all zeros of \(f(z)\) have multiplicity at least \(k+ 2\), except possibly finitely many, then \(f^{(k)}(z)- R(z)\) has infinitely many zeros. The methods for the proofs are from the idea of Bergweiler and Pang above. Namely, the author uses the Nevanlinna theory and Zalcman's lemma. The author poses a conjecture. Would it be possible to obtain the same result under the condition that all zeros of \(f(z)\) have multiplicity at least 3, except possibly finitely many. The author shows that if \(R(z)\) is a polynomial, then the conjecture can be solved affirmatively.