Normality and shared functions of holomorphic functions and their derivatives (Q2491068)

Let \(F\) be a family of holomorphic functions in a domain \(D\) in the complex plane, and let \(a\) be an analytic function in \(D\) such that \(a'\not\equiv a\). If for each \(f\) in \(F\), \(f\), \(f'\), and \(f''\) share \(a\) in \(D\) and \(z_0\) is a zero of \(f(z)- a(z)\) with multiplicity \(n\) implies \(z_0\) is a zero of \(f'(z)- a(z)\) with multiplicity at least \(n\), then \(F\) is normal in \(D\). The result extends a theorem of \textit{M. Fang} and \textit{Y. Xu} [Isr. J. Math. 129, 125--141 (2002; Zbl 1007.30025)] who proved the case when \(a\) is a nonzero complex constant function. Examples show the necessity of the conditions assumed. The proof is technically intricate, but readable.