Some problems in the calculus of variations (Q2404709)

The following problems related to calculus of variations are discussed: necessary conditions and the validity of the Euler-Lagrange equation, existence of solutions to problems with fast (exponential) and slow (linear) growth, some problems concerning regularity of solutions, also examples of non-existence of solutions are given. The author presents in a very detailed way how to solve discussed problems under different assumptions. He discusses various difficulties caused by different assumptions and shows how to overcome them. The author gives interesting comments like some of them cited below: 1. A strange phenomenon might appear under certain conditions, the solution instead of having only first order derivatives, has in addition, second order derivatives. 2. If we can `a-priori' bound the Lipschitz constant of a solution, then the solution will exist. It is enough to bound the Lipschitz condition of \(u\) on the boundary: if a bound is found, this will be bound at any point \(x \in \Omega\). 3. The key to the proof of regularity lies on some remarkable property of Sobolev functions. Summing up, the paper presents valuable contents in a different way in comparison to standard books on calculus of variations. Although a rather little preliminary knowledge on the topics of the paper is required, the paper presents a survey of several recent results and open problems in the calculus of variations.