ON AN OSCILLATION CRITERION OF COHN (Q3977048)

The equation \((*)\) \(y''+p_ 1(t)y'+p_ 2(t)y=0\), where \(p_ 1\) and \(p_ 2\) are piecewise continuous, real-valued functions on a closed bounded interval, is considered and the following theorem is proved. Let \(a\) and \(b\) denote consecutive zeros of a fixed non-trivial solution of \((*)\). Let \(\gamma\) be a differentiable function defined on \([a,b]\) and set \(M_ 1:=\sup_{a\leq t\leq b}| 2\gamma(t)-p_ 1(t)|\), \(M_ 2:=\sup_{a\leq t\leq b}| \gamma'(t)-p_ 2(t)-\gamma(t)^ 2+p_ 1(t)\gamma(t)|\). Then we have \(b-a\geq 2\int^ \infty_ 0(1+M_ 1(t)+M_ 2t^ 2)^{-1}dt\). The choice \(\gamma(t)\equiv 0\) corresponds to a result of \textit{J. H. Cohn} [Q. J. Math., Oxf. II. Ser. 39, No. 154, 173-174 (1988; Zbl 0668.34036)]. The value of the theorem lies in the variety of ways in which \(\gamma\) may be chosen.