On properties of third-order differential equations via comparison principles (Q456606)

Summary: The objective of this paper is to offer sufficient conditions for certain asymptotic properties of the third-order functional differential equation \[ [r(t)[x'(t)]^\gamma]'' + p(t)x(\tau(t)) = 0, \] where \(r,\tau,p\in C([t_0,\infty))\), \(\gamma\) is the ratio of two positive integers, \(r(t), p(t)>0\), \(\lim_{t\to\infty}\tau(t)=\infty\), and \(\int^\infty_{t_0} r^{-1/\gamma}(s)\,\text{d}s = \infty\) holds. Employing the trench theory of canonical operators, we deduce properties of the solutions via new comparison theorems. The results obtained essentially improve and complement earlier ones.