Value sharing and differential equations (Q2568188)

Let \(f\) be a nonconstant entire function and \(g= b+\sum^n_{i=0} b_i f^{(i)}\) where \(b\) and \(b_i\) \((i= 0,1,\dots, n)\) are constants with \(b_n\neq 0\). Let \(a_1\) and \(a_2\) be two distinct complex numbers. If \(f\) and \(g\) share the set \(\{a_1,a_2\}\) counting multiplicity, then one of three cases holds: (i) \(f= g\); (ii) \(f+ g= a_1+ a_2\); (iii) \(2f(a_1+ a_2+ h_1+ h_2)\) and \(2g= (a_1+ a_2- e^\gamma h_1+ e^\gamma h_2)\) where \(\gamma\) is an entire function for which \(T(r,e^\gamma)= S(r, f)\) and \(h_1\) and \(h_2\) are entire functions satisfying three stated relationships. The author gives the explicit form of \(h_1\) and \(h_2\) for some special cases. The theorems extend known results of \textit{P. Li} and \textit{C. Yang} [J. Math. Soc. Japan 51, No. 4, 781--799 (1999; Zbl 0938.30023)] and \textit{L. Rubel} and \textit{C. Yang} [Complex Anal., Proc. Conf. Lexington 1976, Lect. Notes Math. 599, 101--103 (1977; Zbl 0362.30026)].