The eigenvalue ratio for a class of densities (Q892369)

The author analyzes eigenvalues of the following specific problem \[ u'' + \lambda \rho(x,t) u =0 \] on the interval \(x\in [-1,1]\), with Dirichlet boundary condition. Here, the density \(\rho(x,t)=-x\) for \(x\in[-1,0]\) and \(\rho(x,t)= t x\) for \(x\in[0,1]\), where \(t\) is a parameter. Let \(\lambda_n(t)\) be the \(n\)th eigenvalue, it is proved by using the differentials of eigenvalues in weights that \(\lambda_n(t)\) and \(t \lambda_n(t)\) are respectively decreasing and increasing in \(t\). Then, by using the Bessel functions, it is proved that the ratio \(\lambda_2(t)/\lambda_1(t)\) attains its minimum at \(t=1\), for which the density \(\rho(x,1)\) is symmetric.