Two solutions for a singular elliptic problem indefinite in sign (Q745915)

A singular elliptic problem depending on a parameter \(\lambda\) is considered. The singular term contains as factors some powers of the (possible) solutions \(u\) and also the characteristic function of the set \(\{u >0 \} \). Some previous results in this field are improved, concerning the positive solutions. The main result is given in Theorem 1: if \(\lambda\) is less than a certain value \(\Lambda\) we have not positive solutions; if \(\lambda > \Lambda\) there exist two distinct non-negative weak solutions. The proof is using an associated energetic functional which is Gatteaux differentiable only in a specific functional space containing positive functions. The minimum point of this functional is a weak solution of the initial problem. A suitable truncation procedure, the generalized Hardy-Sobolev inequality, the Eberlain-Smulian and Mountain-Pass theorems, and the Palais-Smale condition are used.