Necessary and sufficient conditions for oscillation of neutral equations with real coefficients (Q2640035)

The author proves that every solution of the neutral delay differential equation \((d/dx)[y(t)+py(t-\tau)]+q_ 1y(t-\sigma_ 1)+q_ 2(t- \sigma_ 2)=0\) oscillates if and only if the characteristic equation \(\lambda +\lambda pe^{-\lambda \tau}+q_ 1e^{-\lambda \sigma_ 1}+q_ 2e^{-\lambda \sigma_ 2}=0\) has no real roots, where \(p,q_ 1,q_ 2\in [0,\infty)\). Special cases of this theorem were earlier proved by, among others, \textit{M. K. Grammatikopoulos}, \textit{G. Ladas} and \textit{Y. G. Sficas} [Czech. Math. J. 37(112), 262-270 (1987; Zbl 0634.34052)].