A priori bounds for periodic solutions of a kind of second order neutral functional differential equation with multiple deviating arguments (Q2505346)

The existence of a \(T\)-periodic solution to a \(T\)-periodically forced neutral functional-differential equation of the form \[ \biggl[x(t)-\sum_{i=1}^n c_i x(t-r_i)\biggr]''=f(x(t))x'(t)+g(x(t-\tau))+p(t) \] is proved, under certain restrictions on the growth of the nonlinearities \(f,g\) and on the parameters \(c_i\). The proof uses the continuation theorem of coincidence degree theory [\textit{R. E. Gaines} and \textit{J. L. Mawhin}, Coincidence degree and nonlinear differential equations, Lecture Notes in Mathematics. 568. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer (1977; Zbl 0339.47031)], and inequalities which guarantee a priori bounds needed for the application of this theorem.