Multiple positive solutions of singular second order boundary value problems with derivative dependence (Q2458380)

The authors show the existence of at least two positive solutions to the second-order boundary value problem \[ x'' + \Phi(t) f(t, x(t), x'(t)) = 0, \, 0 < t < 1, \] \[ \alpha x(0) - \beta x'(0) = 0, \quad x'(1) = 0. \] They consider the three cases, where \(f\) is singular at \(x=0\) but not at \(x'=0\), where \(f\) is singular at \(x=0\) and at \(x'=0\), and where \(f\) is singular at \(x'=0\) but not at \(x=0\). While their assumptions on the nonlinear term \(f\) changes appropriately for each of the three cases, their technique in showing the existence of at least two positive solutions remains basically the same. In each case the authors approximate the singular boundary value problem with a sequence of regular boundary value problems. Using index and cone theory, the authors then show the existence of two solutions in the cone for each regular boundary value problem in the sequence. Finally, using the Arzela-Ascoli Theorem and the Lebesgue Dominated Convergence Theorem, the authors show that the two sequences converge to solutions of the singular boundary value problem. In each case, they provide an example. Their results will be useful to researchers studying the existence positive solution for singular boundary value problems.