Ebook Boundary Value Problems For Systems of Differential Difference and Fractional Equations Positive Solutions PDF Full Chapter PDF

Boundary value problems for systems
of differential, difference and fractional

equations : positive solutions - eBook
PDF
Visit to download the full and correct content document:
https://ebooksecure.com/download/boundary-value-problems-for-systems-of-differenti
al-difference-and-fractional-equations-positive-solutions-ebook-pdf/
Boundary Value Problems for Systems of
Differential, Difference and Fractional Equations
Boundary Value Problems
for Systems of
Differential, Difference
and Fractional Equations
Positive Solutions
Johnny Henderson and Rodica Luca
AMSTERDAM • BOSTON • HEIDELBERG • LONDON • NEW YORK • OXFORD

PARIS • SAN DIEGO • SAN FRANCISCO • SINGAPORE • SYDNEY • TOKYO
Elsevier
Radarweg 29, PO Box 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands
The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, UK
225 Wyman Street, Waltham, MA 02451, USA
Copyright © 2016 J. Henderson and Rodica L. Tudorache. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and
retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Details on how to seek
permission, further information about the Publisher’s permissions policies and our
arrangements with organizations such as the Copyright Clearance Center and the Copyright
Licensing Agency can be found at our website: www.elsevier.com/permissions.
This book and the individual contributions contained in it are protected under copyright by the
Publisher (other than as may be noted herein).
Notices
Knowledge and best practice in this field are constantly changing. As new research and
experience broaden our understanding, changes in research methods, professional practices, or
medical treatment may become necessary.
Practitioners and researchers must always rely on their own experience and knowledge in
evaluating and using any information, methods, compounds, or experiments described herein.
In using such information or methods they should be mindful of their own safety and the
safety of others, including parties for whom they have a professional responsibility.
To the fullest extent of the law, neither the Publisher nor the authors, contributors, or editors,
assume any liability for any injury and/or damage to persons or property as a matter of
products liability, negligence or otherwise, or from any use or operation of any methods,
products, instructions, or ideas contained in the material herein.
ISBN: 978-0-12-803652-5
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Control Number: 2015939629
For information on all Elsevier publications

visit our website at http://store.elsevier.com/
Johnny Henderson dedicates this book to his siblings, Monty, Madonna, Jana, and
Chrissie, and to the memory of his parents, Ernest and Madora. Rodica Luca ded-
icates this book to her husband, Mihai Tudorache, and her son, Alexandru-Gabriel
Tudorache, and to the memory of her parents, Viorica and Constantin Luca.
Preface
In recent decades, nonlocal boundary value problems for ordinary differential

equations, difference equations, or fractional differential equations have become a
rapidly growing area of research. The study of these types of problems is driven not
only by a theoretical interest, but also by the fact that several phenomena in engi-
neering, physics, and the life sciences can be modeled in this way. Boundary value
problems with positive solutions describe many phenomena in the applied sciences
such as the nonlinear diffusion generated by nonlinear sources, thermal ignition of
gases, and concentration in chemical or biological problems. Various problems aris-
ing in heat conduction, underground water flow, thermoelasticity, and plasma physics
can be reduced to nonlinear differential problems with integral boundary conditions.
Fractional differential equations describe many phenomena in several fields of engi-
neering and scientific disciplines such as physics, biophysics, chemistry, biology (such
as blood flow phenomena), economics, control theory, signal and image processing,
aerodynamics, viscoelasticity, and electromagnetics.
Hundreds of researchers are working on boundary value problems for differential
equations, difference equations, and fractional equations, and at the heart of the com-
munity are researchers whose interest is in positive solutions. The authors of this
monograph occupy a niche in the center of that group. The monograph contains many
of their results related to these topics obtained in recent years.
In Chapter 1, questions are addressed on the existence, multiplicity, and nonexis-
tence of positive solutions for some classes of systems of nonlinear second-order ordi-
nary differential equations with parameters or without parameters, subject to
Riemann–Stieltjes boundary conditions, and for which the nonlinearities are nonsin-
gular or singular functions. Chapter 2 is devoted to the existence, multiplicity, and
nonexistence of positive solutions for some classes of systems of nonlinear higher-
order ordinary differential equations with parameters or without parameters, subject
to multipoint boundary conditions, and for which the nonlinearities are nonsingular or
singular functions. A system of higher-order differential equations with sign-changing
nonlinearities and Riemann–Stieltjes integral boundary conditions is also investigated.
Chapter 3 deals with the existence, multiplicity, and nonexistence of positive solutions
for some classes of systems of nonlinear second-order difference equations, also with
or without parameters, subject to multipoint boundary conditions.
Chapter 4 is concerned with the existence, multiplicity, and nonexistence of positive
solutions for some classes of systems of nonlinear Riemann–Liouville fractional dif-
ferential equations with parameters or without parameters, subject to uncoupled
Riemann–Stieltjes integral boundary conditions, and for which the nonlinearities are
nonsingular or singular functions. A system of fractional equations with sign-changing
nonlinearities and integral boundary conditions is also investigated. Chapter 5 is
x Preface
focused on the existence, multiplicity, and nonexistence of positive solutions for some
classes of systems of nonlinear Riemann–Liouville fractional differential equations
with parameters or without parameters, subject to coupled Riemann–Stieltjes inte-
gral boundary conditions, and for which the nonlinearities are nonsingular or singular
functions. A system of fractional equations with sign-changing nonsingular or sin-
gular nonlinearities and integral boundary conditions is also investigated. In each
chapter, various examples are presented which support the main results.
Central to the results of each chapter are applications of the Guo–Krasnosel’skii
fixed point theorem for nonexpansive and noncontractive operators on a cone (The-
orem 1.1.1). Unique to applications of the fixed point theorem is the novel rep-
resentation of the Green’s functions, which ultimately provide almost a checklist
for determining conditions for which positive solutions exist relative to given non-
linearities. In the proof of many of the main results, applications are also made
of the Schauder fixed-point theorem (Theorem 1.6.1), the nonlinear alternative of
Leray–Schauder type (Theorem 2.5.1), and some theorems from the fixed point index
theory (Theorems 1.3.1–1.3.3).
There have been other books in the past on positive solutions for boundary value
problems, but in spite of the area receiving much attention, there have been no new
books recently. This monograph provides a springboard for other researchers to em-
ulate the authors’ methods. The audience for this book includes the family of math-
ematical and scientific researchers in boundary value problems for which positive
solutions are important, and in addition, the monograph can serve as a great source
for topics to be studied in graduate seminars.
Johnny Henderson
Rodica Luca
About the authors
Johnny Henderson is a distinguished professor of Mathematics at the Baylor Univer-

sity, Waco, Texas, USA. He has also held faculty positions at the Auburn University
and the Missouri University of Science and Technology. His published research is
primarily in the areas of boundary value problems for ordinary differential equations,
finite difference equations, functional differential equations, and dynamic equations
on time scales. He is an Inaugural Fellow of the American Mathematical Society.
Rodica Luca is a professor of Mathematics at the “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical
University of Iasi, Romania. She obtained her PhD degree in mathematics from
“Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi. Her research interests are boundary value
problems for nonlinear systems of ordinary differential equations, finite difference
equations, and fractional differential equations, and initial-boundary value problems
for nonlinear hyperbolic systems of partial differential equations.
Acknowledgments
We are grateful to all the anonymous referees for carefully reviewing early drafts of
the manuscript. We also express our thanks to Glyn Jones, the Mathematics publisher
at Elsevier, and to Steven Mathews, the Editorial project manager for Mathematics and
Statistics at Elsevier, for their support and encouragement of us during the preparation
of this book; and to Poulouse Joseph, the project manager for book production at
Elsevier, for all of his work on our book.
The work of Rodica Luca was supported by a grant of the Romanian National
Authority for Scientific Research, CNCS-UEFISCDI, project number PN-II-ID-PCE-
2011-3-0557.
Systems of second-order ordinary
differential equations with 1
integral boundary conditions
1.1 Existence of positive solutions for systems

with parameters
Boundary value problems with positive solutions describe many phenomena in the ap-
plied sciences, such as the nonlinear diffusion generated by nonlinear sources, thermal
ignition of gases, and concentration in chemical or biological problems (see Boucherif
and Henderson, 2006; Cac et al., 1997; de Figueiredo et al., 1982; Guo and Laksh-
mikantham, 1988a,b; Joseph and Sparrow, 1970; Keller and Cohen, 1967). Integral
boundary conditions arise in thermal conduction, semiconductor, and hydrodynamic
problems (e.g., Cannon, 1964; Chegis, 1984; Ionkin, 1977; Samarskii, 1980). In re-
cent decades, many authors have investigated scalar problems with integral bound-
ary conditions (e.g., Ahmad et al., 2008; Boucherif, 2009; Jankowski, 2013; Jia and
Wang, 2012; Karakostas and Tsamatos, 2002; Ma and An, 2009; Webb and Infante,
2008; Yang, 2006). We also mention references (Cui and Sun, 2012; Goodrich, 2012;
Hao et al., 2012; Infante et al., 2012; Infante and Pietramala, 2009a,b; Kang and Wei,
2009; Lan, 2011; Song and Gao, 2011; Yang, 2005; Yang and O’Regan, 2005; Yang
and Zhang, 2012), where the authors studied the existence of positive solutions for
some systems of differential equations with integral boundary conditions.
1.1.1 Presentation of the problem

In this section, we consider the system of nonlinear second-order ordinary differential
equations

(a(t)u (t)) − b(t)u(t) + λp(t)f (t, u(t), v(t)) = 0, 0 < t < 1,
(S)
(c(t)v (t)) − d(t)v(t) + μq(t)g(t, u(t), v(t)) = 0, 0 < t < 1,
with the integral boundary conditions
⎧ 1 1
⎪
⎪
⎨ αu(0) − βa(0)u (0) = u(s) dH1 (s), γ u(1)+δa(1)u (1) = u(s) dH2 (s),
01 01
⎪
⎪
⎩ α̃v(0)− β̃c(0)v (0) = v(s) dK1 (s), γ̃ v(1)+ δ̃c(1)v (1) = v(s) dK2 (s),
0 0
(BC)
Boundary Value Problems for Systems of Differential, Difference and Fractional Equations.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-803652-5.00001-6
Copyright © 2016 J. Henderson and Rodica L. Tudorache. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
2 Boundary Value Problems for Systems of Differential, Difference and Fractional Equations
where the above integrals are Riemann–Stieltjes integrals. The boundary conditions
above include multipoint and integral boundary conditions and the sum of these in a
single framework.
We give sufficient conditions on f and g and on the parameters λ and μ such that
positive solutions of problem (S)–(BC) exist. By a positive solution of problem (S)–
(BC) we mean a pair of functions (u, v) ∈ C 2 ([0, 1]) × C2 ([0, 1]) satisfying (S) and
(BC) with u(t) ≥ 0, v(t) ≥ 0 for all t ∈ [0, 1] and (u, v) = (0, 0). The case in which
the functions H1 , H2 , K1 , and K2 are step functions—that is, the boundary conditions
(BC) become multipoint boundary conditions
⎧
⎪
m
n
⎪
⎪ αu(0) − βa(0)u
(0) = a u(ξ ), γ u(1) + δa(1)u
(1) = bi u(ηi ),
⎪
⎨ i i
i=1 i=1
⎪
⎪
r
l
⎪
⎪ α̃v(0) − β̃c(0)v
(0) = ci v(ζi ), γ̃ v(1) + δ̃c(1)v (1) = di v(ρi ),
⎩
i=1 i=1
(BC1 )
where m, n, r, l ∈ N, (N = {1, 2, . . .})—was studied in Henderson and Luca (2013g).
System (S) with a(t) = 1, c(t) = 1, b(t) = 0, and d(t) = 0 for all t ∈ [0, 1],
f (t, u, v) = f̃ (u, v), and g(t, u, v) = g̃(u, v) (denoted by (S1 )) and (BC1 ) was inves-
tigated in Henderson and Luca (2014e). Some particular cases of the problem from
Henderson and Luca (2014e) were studied in Henderson and Luca (2012e) (where in
(BC1 ), ai = 0 for all i = 1, . . . , m, ci = 0 for all i = 1, . . . , r, γ = γ̃ = 1, and
δ = δ̃ = 0—denoted by (BC2 )), in Luca (2011) (where in (S1 ), f̃ (u, v) = f̃ (v) and
g̃(u, v) = g̃(u)—denoted by (S2 )—and in (BC2 ) we have n = l, bi = di , and ηi = ρi
for all i = 1, . . . , n, α = α̃, and β = β̃—denoted by (BC3 )), in Henderson et al.
(2008b) (problem (S2 )–(BC3 ) with α = α̃ = 1 and β = β̃ = 0), and in Henderson
and Ntouyas (2008b) and Henderson et al. (2008a) (system (S2 ) with the boundary
conditions u(0) = 0, u(1) = αu(η), v(0) = 0, v(1) = αv(η), η ∈ (0, 1), and
0 < α < 1/η, or u(0) = βu(η), u(1) = αu(η), v(0) = βv(η), and v(1) = αv(η)). In
Henderson and Ntouyas (2008a), the authors investigated system (S2 ) with the bound-
ary conditions αu(0) − βu (0) = 0, γ u(1) + δu (1) = 0, αv(0) − βv (0) = 0, and
γ v(1) + δv (1) = 0, where α, β, γ , δ ≥ 0 and α + β + γ + δ > 0.
In the proof of our main results, we shall use the Guo–Krasnosel’skii fixed point
theorem (see Guo and Lakshmikantham, 1988a), which we present now:
Theorem 1.1.1. Let X be a Banach space and let C ⊂ X be a cone in X. Assume
1 and 2 are bounded open subsets of X with 0 ∈ 1 ⊂ 1 ⊂ 2 , and let A :
C ∩ ( 2 \ 1 ) → C be a completely continuous operator (continuous, and compact—
that is, it maps bounded sets into relatively compact sets) such that either
(1) Au ≤ u , u∈ C∩∂ 1, and Au ≥ u , u∈C∩∂ 2, or
(2) Au ≥ u , u∈ C∩∂ 1, and Au ≤ u , u∈C∩∂ 2.
Then, A has a fixed point in C ∩ ( 2 \ 1 ).

Systems of second-order ordinary differential equations 3
1.1.2 Auxiliary results

In this section, we present some auxiliary results related to the following second-order
differential equation with integral boundary conditions:
(a(t)u (t)) − b(t)u(t) + y(t) = 0, t ∈ (0, 1), (1.1)
1 1

αu(0) − βa(0)u (0) = u(s) dH1 (s), γ u(1) + δa(1)u (1) = u(s) dH2 (s).
0 0
(1.2)
For a ∈ C1 ([0, 1], (0, ∞)), b ∈ C([0, 1], [0, ∞)), α, β, γ , δ ∈ R, |α| + |β| = 0,
|γ | + |δ| = 0, we denote by ψ and φ the solutions of the following linear problems:

(a(t)ψ (t)) − b(t)ψ(t) = 0, 0 < t < 1,
(1.3)
ψ(0) = β, a(0)ψ (0) = α,
and

(a(t)φ (t)) − b(t)φ(t) = 0, 0 < t < 1,
(1.4)
φ(1) = δ, a(1)φ (1) = −γ ,
respectively.
We denote by θ1 the function θ1 (t) = a(t)(φ(t)ψ (t) − φ (t)ψ(t)) for t ∈ [0, 1].
By using (1.3) and (1.4), we deduce that θ1 (t) = 0—that is, θ1 (t) = const. for all
t ∈ [0, 1]. We denote this constant by τ1 . Then θ1 (t) = τ1 for all t ∈ [0, 1], and so
τ1 = θ1 (0) = a(0)(φ(0)ψ (0)−φ (0)ψ(0)) = αφ(0)−βa(0)φ (0) and τ1 = θ1 (1) =
a(1)(φ(1)ψ (1) − φ (1)ψ(1)) = δa(1)ψ (1) + γ ψ(1).
Lemma 1.1.1. We assume that a ∈ C1 ([0, 1], (0, ∞)), b ∈ C([0, 1], [0, ∞)), α, β, γ ,
δ ∈ R, |α| + |β| = 0, |γ | + |δ| = 0, and H1 , H2 : [0, 1] → R are functions of
1 1
bounded variation. If τ1 = 0, 1 = τ1 − 0 ψ(s) dH2 (s) τ1 − 0 φ(s) dH1 (s) −
1 1
0 ψ(s) dH1 (s) 0 φ(s) dH2 (s) = 0, and y ∈ C(0, 1) ∩ L1 (0, 1), then the unique
1
solution of (1.1)–(1.2) is given by u(t) = 0 G1 (t, s)y(s) ds, where the Green’s function
G1 is defined by
1 1
1
G1 (t, s) = g1 (t, s) + ψ(t) φ(s) dH2 (s) + φ(t) τ1 − ψ(s) dH2 (s)
1 0 0
1 1
1
× g1 (τ , s) dH1 (τ ) + ψ(t) τ1 − φ(s) dH1 (s)
0 1 0
1 1
+ φ(t) ψ(s) dH1 (s) g1 (τ , s) dH2 (τ ),
0 0
(1.5)
for all (t, s) ∈ [0, 1] × [0, 1], with

⎧
1 ⎨ φ(t)ψ(s), 0 ≤ s ≤ t ≤ 1,
g1 (t, s) = (1.6)
τ1 ⎩ φ(s)ψ(t), 0 ≤ t ≤ s ≤ 1,
and ψ and φ are the functions defined by (1.3) and (1.4), respectively.
Proof. Because τ1 = 0, the functions ψ and φ are two linearly independent solu-
tions of the equation (a(t)u (t)) − b(t)u(t) = 0. Then the general solution of (1.1) is
u(t) = Aψ(t) + Bφ(t) + u0 (t), with A, B ∈ R, and u0 is a particular solution of (1.1).
We shall determine u0 by the method of variation of constants—namely, we shall look
for two functions C(t) and D(t) such that u0 (t) = C(t)ψ(t) + D(t)φ(t) is a solution of
(1.1). The derivatives of C(t) and D(t) satisfy the system
⎧
⎨ C (t)ψ(t) + D (t)φ(t) = 0, t ∈ (0, 1),
⎩ C (t)a(t)ψ (t) + D (t)a(t)φ (t) = −y(t), t ∈ (0, 1).
The above system has the determinant d0 = −τ1 = 0, and the solution of the above
system is C (t) = − τ11 φ(t)y(t) and D (t) = τ11 ψ(t)y(t). Then we choose C(t) =
1 t
t φ(s)y(s) ds and D(t) = ψ(s)y(s) ds. We deduce that the general solution
1 1
τ1 τ1 0
of (1.1) is

ψ(t) 1 φ(t) t
u(t) = φ(s)y(s) ds + ψ(s)y(s) ds + Aψ(t) + Bφ(t).
τ1 t τ1 0
Then we obtain
1
u(t) = g1 (t, s)y(s) ds + Aψ(t) + Bφ(t),
0
where g1 is defined in (1.6).
By using condition (1.2), we conclude
⎧
⎪
⎪ 1 1 1 1
⎪
⎪ α ψ(0)φ(s)y(s) ds + Aψ(0) + Bφ(0) − βa(0) φ(s)ψ (0)y(s) ds
⎪
⎪ τ1 0 τ1 0
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ 1 1
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎨ + Aψ (0) + Bφ (0) = g 1 (s, τ )y(τ ) dτ + Aψ(s) + Bφ(s) dH1 (s),
0 0
⎪
⎪
⎪ 1 1 1 1
⎪
⎪ γ φ(1)ψ(s)y(s) ds + Aψ(1) + Bφ(1) + δa(1) φ (1)ψ(s)y(s) ds
⎪
⎪ τ1 0 τ1 0
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ 1 1
⎪
⎪
⎩ + Aψ (1) + Bφ (1) = g1 (s, τ )y(τ ) dτ + Aψ(s) + Bφ(s) dH2 (s),
0 0
or
⎧ 1
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ A −αψ(0) + βa(0)ψ (0) + ψ(s) dH1 (s)
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
0

⎪
⎪ 1
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ + B −αφ(0) + βa(0)φ (0) + φ(s) dH1 (s)
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
0
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ α 1 βa(0) 1
⎪
⎪
⎪ = φ(s)ψ(0)y(s) ds − φ(s)ψ (0)y(s) ds
⎪
⎪ τ1 0 τ1 0
⎪
⎪ 1 1
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ − g1 (s, τ )y(τ ) dτ dH1 (s),
⎪
⎨ 0 0

⎪
⎪
1
⎪
⎪ A γ ψ(1) + δa(1)ψ (1) − ψ(s) dH2 (s)
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ 0
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ 1
⎪
⎪ + B γ φ(1) + δa(1)φ (1) − φ(s) dH2 (s)
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ 0
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ γ 1 δa(1) 1
⎪
⎪ =− φ(1)ψ(s)y(s) ds − φ (1)ψ(s)y(s) ds
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ τ1 0 τ1 0
⎪
⎪ 1 1
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎩ + g1 (s, τ )y(τ ) dτ dH2 (s).
0 0
Therefore, we obtain
⎧ 1 1
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ A ψ(s) dH (s) + B −τ + φ(s) dH (s)
⎪
⎪
1 1 1
⎪
⎪ 0
1 1
0
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎨ =− g1 (s, τ )y(τ ) dτ dH1 (s),
0 0
1 1 (1.7)
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ A τ1 − ψ(s) dH2 (s) + B − φ(s) dH2 (s)
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ 0 0
⎪
⎪ 1 1
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎩ = g1 (s, τ )y(τ ) dτ dH2 (s).
0 0
The above system with the unknowns A and B has the determinant
1 1
1 = τ1 − ψ(s) dH2 (s) τ1 − φ(s) dH1 (s)
0 0
1 1
− ψ(s) dH1 (s) φ(s) dH2 (s) .
0 0
By using the assumptions of this lemma, we have 1 = 0. Hence, system (1.7) has a
unique solution—namely,
1 1 1
1
A= φ(s) dH2 (s) g1 (s, τ )y(τ ) dτ dH1 (s)
1 0 0 0
1 1 1
+ τ1 − φ(s) dH1 (s) g1 (s, τ )y(τ ) dτ dH2 (s) ,
0 0 0
1 1 1
1
B= ψ(s) dH1 (s) g1 (s, τ )y(τ ) dτ dH2 (s)
1 0 0 0
1 1 1
+ τ1 − ψ(s) dH2 (s) g1 (s, τ )y(τ ) dτ dH1 (s) .
0 0 0
Then the solution of problem (1.1)–(1.2) is
1
u(t) = g1 (t, s)y(s) ds
0

ψ(t) 1 1 1
+ φ(s) dH2 (s) g1 (s, τ )y(τ ) dτ dH1 (s)
1 0 0 0
1 1 1
+ τ1 − φ(s) dH1 (s) g1 (s, τ )y(τ ) dτ dH2 (s)
0 0 0

φ(t) 1 1 1
+ ψ(s) dH1 (s) g1 (s, τ )y(τ ) dτ dH2 (s)
1 0 0 0
1 1 1
+ τ1 − ψ(s) dH2 (s) g1 (s, τ )y(τ ) dτ dH1 (s) .
0 0 0
Therefore, we deduce
1
u(t) = g1 (t, s)y(s) ds
0
1 1
1
+ ψ(t) φ(s) dH2 (s) + φ(t) τ1 − ψ(s) dH2 (s)
1 0 0
1 1 1
1
× g1 (s, τ ) dH1 (s) y(τ ) dτ + ψ(t) τ1 − φ(s) dH1 (s)
0 0 1 0
1 1 1
+ φ(t) ψ(s) dH1 (s) g1 (s, τ ) dH2 (s) y(τ ) dτ
0 0 0
1
= g1 (t, s)y(s) ds
0
1 1
1
+ ψ(t) φ(s) dH2 (s) + φ(t) τ1 − ψ(s) dH2 (s)
1 0 0
1 1 1
1
× g1 (τ , s) dH1 (τ ) y(s) ds + ψ(t) τ1 − φ(s) dH1 (s)
0 0 1 0
1 1 1
+ φ(t) ψ(s) dH1 (s) g1 (τ , s) dH2 (τ ) y(s) ds.
0 0 0
1
So, the solution u of (1.1)–(1.2) is u(t) = 0 G1 (t, s)y(s) ds, t ∈ [0, 1], where G1 is
given in (1.5).
Now, we introduce the following assumptions:
(A1) a ∈ C1 ([0, 1], (0, ∞)), b ∈ C([0, 1], [0, ∞)).
(A2) α, β, γ , δ ∈ [0, ∞), with α + β > 0 and γ + δ > 0.
(A3) If b(t) ≡ 0, then α + γ > 0.
(A4) H1 , H2 : [0, 1] → R are nondecreasing functions.
1 1
(A5) τ1 − 0 φ(s) dH1 (s) > 0, τ1 − 0 ψ(s) dH2 (s) > 0, and 1 > 0.
Lemma 1.1.2 (Atici and Guseinov, 2002). Let (A1) and (A2) hold. Then
(a) the function ψ is nondecreasing on [0, 1], ψ(t) ≥ 0 for all t ∈ [0, 1] and ψ(t) > 0
on (0, 1];
(b) the function φ is nonincreasing on [0, 1], φ(t) ≥ 0 for all t ∈ [0, 1] and φ(t) > 0
on [0, 1).
Lemma 1.1.3 (Atici and Guseinov, 2002). Let (A1) and (A2) hold.
(a) If b(t) is not identically zero, then τ1 > 0.
(b) If b(t) is identically zero, then τ1 > 0 if and only if α + γ > 0.
Lemma 1.1.4. Let (A1)–(A3) hold. Then the function g1 given by (1.6) has the
following properties:
(a) g1 is a continuous function on [0, 1] × [0, 1].
(b) g1 (t, s) ≥ 0 for all t, s ∈ [0, 1], and g1 (t, s) > 0 for all t, s ∈ (0, 1).
(c) g1 (t, s) ≤ g1 (s, s) for all t, s ∈ [0, 1].
(d) For any σ∈ (0, 1/2), we have mint∈[σ ,1−σ ] g1 (t, s) ≥ ν1 g1 (s, s) for all s ∈ [0, 1], where
φ(1−σ ) ψ(σ )
ν1 = min φ(0) , ψ(1) .
For the proof of Lemma 1.1.4 (a) and (b), see Atici and Guseinov (2002), and for
the proof of Lemma 1.1.4 (c) and (d), see Ma and Thompson (2004).
Lemma 1.1.5. Let (A1)–(A5) hold. Then the Green’s function G1 of problem (1.1)–
(1.2) is continuous on [0, 1] × [0, 1] and satisfies G1 (t, s) ≥ 0 for all (t, s) ∈ [0, 1] ×
[0, 1]. Moreover, if y ∈ C(0, 1) ∩ L1 (0, 1) satisfies y(t) ≥ 0 for all t ∈ (0, 1), then the
solution u of problem (1.1)–(1.2) satisfies u(t) ≥ 0 for all t ∈ [0, 1].
Proof. By using the assumptions of this lemma, we deduce G1 (t, s) ≥ 0 for all
(t, s) ∈ [0, 1] × [0, 1], and so u(t) ≥ 0 for all t ∈ [0, 1].
Lemma 1.1.6. Assume that (A1)–(A5) hold. Then the Green’s function G1 of prob-
lem (1.1)–(1.2) satisfies the following inequalities:
(a) G1 (t, s) ≤ J1 (s), ∀ (t, s) ∈ [0, 1] × [0, 1], where
J1 (s) = g1 (s, s)
1 1 1
1
+ ψ(1) φ(s) dH2 (s) + φ(0) τ1 − ψ(s) dH2 (s) g1 (τ , s) dH1 (τ )
1 0 0 0
1 1 1
1
+ ψ(1) τ1 − φ(s) dH1 (s) + φ(0) ψ(s) dH1 (s) g1 (τ , s) dH2 (τ ).
1 0 0 0
(b) For every σ ∈ (0, 1/2) we have

min G1 (t, s) ≥ ν1 J1 (s) ≥ ν1 G1 (t , s), ∀ t , s ∈ [0, 1],

t∈[σ ,1−σ ]
where ν1 is given in Lemma 1.1.4.

Proof. The first inequality, (a), is evident. For the second inequality, (b), for σ ∈
(0, 1/2) and t ∈ [σ , 1 − σ ], s ∈ [0, 1] we conclude
G1 (t, s) ≥ν1 g1 (s, s)
1 1
1
+ ψ(σ ) φ(s) dH2 (s) + φ(1 − σ ) τ1 − ψ(s) dH2 (s)
1 0 0
1 1
1
× g1 (τ , s) dH1 (τ ) + ψ(σ ) τ1 − φ(s) dH1 (s)
0 1 0
1 1
+ φ(1 − σ ) ψ(s) dH1 (s) g1 (τ , s) dH2 (τ )
0 0

1 ψ(σ ) 1 φ(1 − σ )
= ν1 g1 (s, s) + ψ(1) φ(s) dH2 (s) + φ(0)
1 ψ(1) 0 φ(0)
1 1
× τ1 − ψ(s) dH2 (s) g1 (τ , s) dH1 (τ )
0 0

1 ψ(σ ) 1
+ ψ(1) τ1 − φ(s) dH1 (s)
1 ψ(1) 0

φ(1 − σ ) 1 1
+ φ(0) ψ(s) dH1 (s) g1 (τ , s) dH2 (τ ) ≥ ν1 J1 (s).
φ(0) 0 0
Lemma 1.1.7. Assume that (A1)–(A5) hold and let σ ∈ (0, 1/2). If y ∈ C(0, 1) ∩
L1 (0, 1), y(t) ≥ 0 for all t ∈ (0, 1), then the solution u(t), t ∈ [0, 1], of problem
(1.1)–(1.2) satisfies the inequality inft∈[σ ,1−σ ] u(t) ≥ ν1 supt ∈[0,1] u(t ).
Proof. For σ ∈ (0, 1/2), t ∈ [σ , 1 − σ ], and t ∈ [0, 1] we have
1 1 1
u(t) = G1 (t, s)y(s) ds ≥ ν1 J1 (s)y(s) ds ≥ ν1 G1 (t , s)y(s) ds = ν1 u(t ),
0 0 0
and so inft∈[σ ,1−σ ] u(t) ≥ ν1 supt ∈[0,1] u(t ).
We can also formulate results similar to those in Lemmas 1.1.1–1.1.7 for the bound-
ary value problem
(c(t)v (t)) − d(t)v(t) + h(t) = 0, 0 < t < 1, (1.8)

1 1

α̃v(0) − β̃c(0)v (0) = v(s) dK1 (s), γ̃ v(1) + δ̃c(1)v (1) = v(s) dK2 (s),
0 0
(1.9)
under assumptions similar to (A1)–(A5) and h ∈ C(0, 1) ∩ L1 (0, 1). We denote by
ψ̃, φ̃, θ2 , τ2 , 2 , g2 , G2 , ν2 , and J2 the corresponding constants and functions for prob-
lem (1.8)–(1.9) defined in a similar manner as ψ, φ, θ1 , τ1 , 1 , g1 , G1 , ν1 , and J1 , re-
spectively.
1.1.3 Main existence results

In this section, we give sufficient conditions on λ, μ, f , and g such that positive solu-
tions with respect to a cone for our problem (S)–(BC) exist.
We present the assumptions that we shall use in the sequel:
(I1) The functions a, c ∈ C1 ([0, 1], (0, ∞)) and b, d ∈ C([0, 1], [0, ∞)).
(I2) α, β, γ , δ, α̃, β̃, γ̃ , δ̃ ∈ [0, ∞) with α + β > 0, γ + δ > 0, α̃ + β̃ > 0, and γ̃ + δ̃ > 0; if
b ≡ 0, then α + γ > 0; if d ≡ 0, then α̃ + γ̃ > 0.
(I3) H1 , H2 , K1 , K2 : [0, 1] → R are nondecreasing functions.
1 1 1
(I4) τ1 − 0 φ(s) dH1 (s) > 0, τ1 − 0 ψ(s) dH2 (s) > 0, τ2 − 0 φ̃(s) dK1 (s) > 0, τ2 −
1
0 ψ̃(s) dK2 (s) > 0, and 1 > 0, 2 > 0, where τ1 , τ2 , 1 , and 2 are defined in
Section 1.1.2.
(I5) The functions p, q ∈ C([0, 1], [0, ∞)), and there exist t1 , t2 ∈ (0, 1) such that p(t1 ) > 0,
q(t2 ) > 0.
(I6) The functions f , g ∈ C([0, 1] × [0, ∞) × [0, ∞), [0, ∞)).
From assumption (I5), there exists σ ∈ (0, 1/2) such that t1 , t2 ∈ (σ , 1 − σ ). We

shall work in this section and in Section 1.2 with this number σ . This implies that
1−σ 1−σ
g1 (t, s)p(s) ds > 0, g2 (t, s)q(s) ds > 0,
σ σ
1−σ 1−σ
J1 (s)p(s) ds > 0, J2 (s)q(s) ds > 0,
σ σ
for all t ∈ [0, 1], where g1 , g2 , J1 , and J2 are defined in Section 1.1.2 (Lemmas 1.1.1
and 1.1.6).
For σ defined above, we introduce the following extreme limits:
f (t, u, v) g(t, u, v)
f0s = lim sup max , gs0 = lim sup max ,
u+v→0+ t∈[0,1] u+v u+v→0+ t∈[0,1] u+v
f (t, u, v) g(t, u, v)
f0i = lim inf min , gi0 = lim inf min ,
u+v→0+ t∈[σ ,1−σ ] u + v u+v→0+ t∈[σ ,1−σ ] u + v
s f (t, u, v) g(t, u, v)
f∞ = lim sup max , gs∞ = lim sup max ,
u+v→∞ t∈[0,1] u+v u+v→∞ t∈[0,1] u+v
f (t, u, v) g(t, u, v)
i
f∞ = lim inf min , gi∞ = lim inf min .
u+v→∞ t∈[σ ,1−σ ] u+v u+v→∞ t∈[σ ,1−σ ] u+v
In the definitions of the extreme limits above, the variables u and v are
nonnegative.
By using the Green’s functions G1 and G2 from Section 1.1.2 (Lemma 1.1.1), we
can write our problem (S)–(BC) equivalently as the following nonlinear system of
integral equations:
⎧ 1
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎨ u(t) = λ G1 (t, s)p(s)f (s, u(s), v(s)) ds, 0 ≤ t ≤ 1,
0
⎪
⎪
⎪
1
⎩ v(t) = μ G2 (t, s)q(s)g(s, u(s), v(s)) ds, 0 ≤ t ≤ 1.
0
We consider the Banach space X = C([0, 1]) with the supremum norm u =
supt∈[0,1] |u(t)| and the Banach space Y = X×X with the norm (u, v) Y = u + v .
We define the cone P ⊂ Y by

P = (u, v) ∈ Y; u(t) ≥ 0, v(t) ≥ 0, ∀ t ∈ [0, 1] and

inf (u(t) + v(t)) ≥ ν (u, v) Y ,
t∈[σ ,1−σ ]
where ν = min{ν1 , ν2 }, and ν1 and ν2 are the constants defined in Section 1.1.2
(Lemma 1.1.4) with respect to the above σ .
For λ, μ > 0, we introduce the operators Q1 , Q2 : Y → X and Q : Y → Y
defined by
1
Q1 (u, v)(t) = λ G1 (t, s)p(s)f (s, u(s), v(s)) ds, 0 ≤ t ≤ 1,
0
1
Q2 (u, v)(t) = μ G2 (t, s)q(s)g(s, u(s), v(s)) ds, 0 ≤ t ≤ 1,
0
and Q(u, v) = (Q1 (u, v), Q2 (u, v)), (u, v) ∈ Y. The solutions of our problem (S)–(BC)
coincide with the fixed points of the operator Q.
Lemma 1.1.8. If (I1)–(I6) hold, then Q : P → P is a completely continuous
operator.
Proof. Let (u, v) ∈ P be an arbitrary element. Because Q1 (u, v) and Q2 (u, v)
satisfy problem (1.1)–(1.2) for y(t) = λp(t)f (t, u(t), v(t)), t ∈ [0, 1], and problem
(1.8)–(1.9) for h(t) = μq(t)g(t, u(t), v(t)), t ∈ [0, 1], respectively, then by Lemma
1.1.7, we obtain
inf Q1 (u, v)(t) ≥ ν1 sup Q1 (u, v)(t ) = ν1 Q1 (u, v) ,

t∈[σ ,1−σ ] t ∈[0,1]
inf Q2 (u, v)(t) ≥ ν2 sup Q2 (u, v)(t ) = ν2 Q2 (u, v) .
t∈[σ ,1−σ ] t ∈[0,1]
Hence, we conclude
inf [Q1 (u, v)(t)+Q2 (u, v)(t)] ≥ inf Q1 (u, v)(t) + inf Q2 (u, v)(t)
t∈[σ ,1−σ ] t∈[σ ,1−σ ] t∈[σ ,1−σ ]
≥ν1 Q1 (u, v) + ν2 Q2 (u, v)
≥ν (Q1 (u, v), Q2 (u, v)) Y = ν Q(u, v) Y.
By (I1)–(I6) and Lemma 1.1.5, we obtain Q1 (u, v)(t) ≥ 0, Q2 (u, v)(t) ≥ 0 for all
t ∈ [0, 1], and so we deduce that Q(u, v) ∈ P. Hence, we get Q(P) ⊂ P. By using
standard arguments, we can easily show that Q1 and Q2 are completely continuous,
and then Q is a completely continuous operator.
1−σ 1 1−σ
We denote A = σ J1 (s)p(s) ds, B = 0 J1 (s)p(s) ds, C = σ J2 (s)q(s) ds,
1
and D = 0 J2 (s)q(s) ds.
i , gi ∈ (0, ∞) and numbers α , α ≥ 0 and α̃ , α̃ > 0 such that
First, for f0s , gs0 , f∞ ∞ 1 2 1 2
α1 + α2 = 1 and α̃1 + α̃2 = 1, we define the numbers L1 , L2 , L3 , L4 , L2 , and L4 by
α1 α̃1 α2 α̃2
L1 = , L2 = s , L3 = , L4 = ,
νν1 f∞ A
i f0 B νν2 gi∞ C gs0 D
1 1
L2 = s , L4 = s .
f0 B g0 D
Theorem 1.1.2. Assume that (I1)–(I6) hold, and α1 , α2 ≥ 0 and α̃1 , α̃2 > 0 such
that α1 + α2 = 1 and α̃1 + α̃2 = 1.
i , gi ∈ (0, ∞), L < L , and L < L , then for each λ ∈ (L , L ) and μ ∈
(1) If f0s , gs0 , f∞ ∞ 1 2 3 4 1 2
(L3 , L4 ) there exists a positive solution (u(t), v(t)), t ∈ [0, 1] for (S)–(BC).
(2) If f0s = 0, gs0 , f∞ i , gi ∈ (0, ∞), and L < L , then for each λ ∈ (L , ∞) and μ ∈ (L , L )
∞ 3 4 1 3 4
there exists a positive solution (u(t), v(t)), t ∈ [0, 1] for (S)–(BC).
(3) If gs0 = 0, f0s , f∞ i , gi ∈ (0, ∞), and L < L , then for each λ ∈ (L , L ) and μ ∈ (L , ∞)
∞ 1 2 1 2 3
(4) If f0s = gs0 = 0 and f∞ i , gi ∈ (0, ∞), then for each λ ∈ (L , ∞) and μ ∈ (L , ∞) there
∞ 1 3
exists a positive solution (u(t), v(t)), t ∈ [0, 1] for (S)–(BC).
(5) If {f0s , gs0 , f∞
i ∈ (0, ∞), gi = ∞} or {f s , gs , gi ∈ (0, ∞), f i = ∞} or {f s , gs ∈ (0, ∞),
∞ 0 0 ∞ ∞ 0 0
i = gi = ∞}, then for each λ ∈ (0, L ) and μ ∈ (0, L ) there exists a positive solution
f∞ ∞ 2 4
(u(t), v(t)), t ∈ [0, 1] for (S)–(BC).
(6) If {f0s = 0, gs0 , f∞ i ∈ (0, ∞), gi = ∞} or {f s = 0, f i = ∞, gs , gi ∈ (0, ∞)} or {f s = 0,
∞ 0 ∞ 0 ∞ 0
g0 ∈ (0, ∞), f∞ = gi∞ = ∞}, then for each λ ∈ (0, ∞) and μ ∈ (0, L4 ) there exists a
s i
positive solution (u(t), v(t)), t ∈ [0, 1] for (S)–(BC).

(7) If {f0s , f∞i ∈ (0, ∞), gs = 0, gi = ∞} or {f s , gi
0 ∞ 0 ∞ ∈ (0, ∞), g0 = 0, f∞ = ∞} or
s i
s i i
{f0 ∈ (0, ∞), g0 = 0, f∞ = g∞ = ∞}, then for each λ ∈ (0, L2 ) and μ ∈ (0, ∞) there
s

(8) If {f0s = gs0 = 0, f∞ i ∈ (0, ∞), gi = ∞} or {f s = gs = 0, f i = ∞, gi ∈ (0, ∞)} or
∞ 0 0 ∞ ∞
{f0 = g0 = 0, f∞ = gi∞ = ∞}, then for each λ ∈ (0, ∞) and μ ∈ (0, ∞) there exists a
s s i

Proof. We consider the above cone P ⊂ Y and the operators Q1 , Q2 , and Q. Be-
cause the proofs of the above cases are similar, in what follows we shall prove one of
them—namely, case (2). So, we suppose f0s = 0, gs0 , f∞i , gi ∈ (0, ∞), and L < L .
∞ 3 4
α1 α2
Let λ ∈ (L1 , ∞) and μ ∈ (L3 , L4 )—that is, λ ∈ i A, ∞
νν1 f∞
and μ ∈ , 1
νν2 gi∞ C gs0 D
.
We choose α̃2 ∈ (μgs0 D, 1). Let α̃1 = 1 − α̃2 and let ε > 0 be a positive number such
that ε < min{f∞i , gi } and
∞
α1 α2 α̃1 α̃2
≤ λ, ≤ μ, ≥ λ, ≥ μ.
νν1 (f∞ − ε)A
i νν2 (g∞ − ε)C
i εB (gs0 + ε)D
By using (I6) and the definitions of f0s and gs0 , we deduce that there exists R1 > 0
such that f (t, u, v) ≤ ε(u + v) and g(t, u, v) ≤ (gs0 + ε)(u + v) for all t ∈ [0, 1] and
u, v ≥ 0, with 0 ≤ u + v ≤ R1 . We define the set 1 = {(u, v) ∈ Y, (u, v) Y < R1 }.
Now let (u, v) ∈ P ∩ ∂ 1 —that is, (u, v) ∈ P with (u, v) Y = R1 or equivalently
u + v = R1 . Then u(t) + v(t) ≤ R1 for all t ∈ [0, 1], and by Lemma 1.1.6, we
obtain
1
Q1 (u, v)(t) ≤ λ J1 (s)p(s)f (s, u(s), v(s)) ds
0
1
≤λ J1 (s)p(s)ε(u(s) + v(s)) ds
0
1
≤ λε J1 (s)p(s)( u + v ) ds
0
= λεB (u, v) Y ≤ α̃1 (u, v) Y, ∀ t ∈ [0, 1].
Therefore, Q1 (u, v) ≤ α̃1
(u, v) Y . In a similar manner, we conclude
1
Q2 (u, v)(t) ≤ μ J2 (s)q(s)g(s, u(s), v(s)) ds
0
1
≤μ J2 (s)q(s)(gs0 + ε)(u(s) + v(s)) ds
0
1
≤ μ(gs0 + ε) J2 (s)q(s)( u + v ) ds
0
= μ(gs0 + ε)D (u, v) Y ≤ α̃2 (u, v) Y, ∀ t ∈ [0, 1].
Therefore, Q2 (u, v) ≤ α̃2 (u, v) Y .
Then for (u, v) ∈ P ∩ ∂ 1,we deduce
Q(u, v) Y = Q1 (u, v) + Q2 (u, v) ≤ α̃1 (u, v)

Y +α̃2 (u, v) Y = (u, v) Y .
(1.10)
By the definitions of f∞ i and gi , there exists R̄ > 0 such that f (t, u, v) ≥
∞ 2
(f∞
i − ε)(u + v) and g(t, u, v) ≥ (gi∞ − ε)(u + v) for all u, v ≥ 0, with u + v ≥ R̄2 ,
and t ∈ [σ , 1 − σ ]. We consider R2 = max{2R1 , R̄2 /ν}, and we define 2 = {(u, v) ∈
Y, (u, v) Y < R2 }. Then for (u, v) ∈ P with (u, v) Y = R2 , we obtain
u(t) + v(t) ≥ inf (u(t) + v(t)) ≥ ν (u, v) Y = νR2 ≥ R̄2

t∈[σ ,1−σ ]
for all t ∈ [σ , 1 − σ ].
Then, by Lemma 1.1.6, we conclude
1
Q1 (u, v)(σ ) ≥ λν1 J1 (s)p(s)f (s, u(s), v(s)) ds
0
1−σ
≥ λν1 J1 (s)p(s)f (s, u(s), v(s)) ds
σ
1−σ
i
≥ λν1 J1 (s)p(s)(f∞ − ε)(u(s) + v(s)) ds
σ
i
≥ λν1 (f∞ − ε)Aν (u, v) Y ≥ α1 (u, v) Y.
So, Q1 (u, v) ≥ Q1 (u, v)(σ ) ≥ α1 (u, v) Y .

In a similar manner, we deduce
1
Q2 (u, v)(σ ) ≥ μν2 J2 (s)q(s)g(s, u(s), v(s)) ds
0
1−σ
≥ μν2 J2 (s)q(s)g(s, u(s), v(s)) ds
σ
1−σ
≥ μν2 J2 (s)q(s)(gi∞ − ε)(u(s) + v(s)) ds
σ
≥ μν2 (gi∞ − ε)Cν (u, v) Y ≥ α2 (u, v) Y.
So, Q2 (u, v) ≥ Q2 (u, v)(σ ) ≥ α2 (u, v) Y.

Hence, for (u, v) ∈ P ∩ ∂ 2 we obtain
Q(u, v) Y = Q1 (u, v) + Q2 (u, v) ≥ (α1 + α2 ) (u, v) Y = (u, v) Y.
(1.11)
By using (1.10), (1.11), Lemma 1.1.8, and Theorem 1.1.1 (1), we conclude that Q
has a fixed point (u, v) ∈ P ∩ ( ¯ 2 \ 1 ) such that R1 ≤ u + v ≤ R2 .
Remark 1.1.1. We mention that in Theorem 1.1.2 we have the possibility to choose
α1 = 0 or α2 = 0. Therefore, each of the first four cases contains three subcases. For
example, in the second case f0s = 0, gs0, f∞ i , gi ∈ (0, ∞), we have the following
∞
situations:
(a) If α1 , α2 ∈ (0, 1), α1 + α2 = 1, and L3 < L4 , then λ ∈ (L1 , ∞) and μ ∈ (L3 , L4 ).
(b) If α1 = 1 and α2 = 0, then λ ∈ (L1 , ∞) and μ ∈ (0, L4 ), where L1 = νν 1f i A .
1 ∞
(c) If α1 = 0, α2 = 1, and L3 < L4 , then λ ∈ (0, ∞) and μ ∈ (L3 , L4 ), where L3 = 1
νν2 gi∞ C
.
In what follows, for f0i , gi0 , f∞ ∞ ∈ (0, ∞) and numbers α1 , α2 ≥ 0 and

s , gs
α̃1 , α̃2 > 0 such that α1 + α2 = 1 and α̃1 + α̃2 = 1, we define the numbers L̃1 ,
L̃2 , L̃3 , L̃4 , L̃2 , and L̃4 by
α1 α̃1 α2 α̃2
L̃1 = , L̃2 = , L̃3 = , L̃4 = ,
νν1 f0i A s B
f∞ νν2 gi0 C gs∞ D
1 1
L̃2 = s B
, L̃4 = .
f∞ gs∞ D
Theorem 1.1.3. Assume that (I1)–(I6) hold, and α1 , α2 ≥ 0 and α̃1 , α̃2 > 0 such
that α1 + α2 = 1 and α̃1 + α̃2 = 1.
s , gs ∈ (0, ∞), L̃ < L̃ , and L̃ < L̃ , then for each λ ∈ (L̃ , L̃ ) and μ ∈
(1) If f0i , gi0 , f∞ ∞ 1 2 3 4 1 2
(L̃3 , L̃4 ) there exists a positive solution (u(t), v(t)), t ∈ [0, 1] for (S)–(BC).
s ∈ (0, ∞), gs = 0, and L̃ < L̃ , then for each λ ∈ (L̃ , L̃ ) and μ ∈ (L̃ , ∞)
(2) If f0i , gi0 , f∞ ∞ 1 2 1 2 3
s = 0, and L̃ < L̃ , then for each λ ∈ (L̃ , ∞) and μ ∈ (L̃ , L̃ )
(3) If f0i , gi0 , gs∞ ∈ (0, ∞), f∞ 3 4 1 3 4
(4) If f0i , gi0 ∈ (0, ∞) and f∞ s = gs = 0, then for each λ ∈ (L̃ , ∞) and μ ∈ (L̃ , ∞) there
∞ 1 3
(5) If {f0i = ∞, gi0 , f∞ s , gs ∈ (0, ∞)} or {f i , f s , gs ∈ (0, ∞), gi = ∞} or {f i = gi = ∞,
∞ 0 ∞ ∞ 0 0 0
f∞ , g∞ ∈ (0, ∞)}, then for each λ ∈ (0, L̃2 ) and μ ∈ (0, L̃4 ) there exists a positive solution
s s
(u(t), v(t)), t ∈ [0, 1] for (S)–(BC).

(6) If {f0i = ∞, gi0 , f∞ s ∈ (0, ∞), gs = 0} or {f i , f s ∈ (0, ∞), gi = ∞, gs = 0} or
∞ 0 ∞ 0 ∞
{f0i = gi0 = ∞, f∞ s ∈ (0, ∞), gs = 0}, then for each λ ∈ (0, L̃ ) and μ ∈ (0, ∞) there
∞ 2
(7) If {f0i = ∞, gi0 , gs∞ ∈ (0, ∞), f∞ s = 0} or {f i , gs ∈ (0, ∞), gi = ∞, f s = 0} or
0 ∞ 0 ∞
{f0 = g0 = ∞, f∞ = 0, g∞ ∈ (0, ∞)}, then for each λ ∈ (0, ∞) and μ ∈ (0, L̃4 ) there
i i s s

(8) If {f0i = ∞, gi0 ∈ (0, ∞), f∞ s = gs = 0} or {f i ∈ (0, ∞), gi = ∞, f s = gs = 0} or
∞ 0 0 ∞ ∞
{f0i = gi0 = ∞, f∞ s = gs = 0}, then for each λ ∈ (0, ∞) and μ ∈ (0, ∞) there exists a
∞
Proof. We consider the above cone P ⊂ Y and the operators Q1 , Q2 , and Q. Be-
cause the proofs of the above cases are similar, in what follows we shall prove one
of them—namely, the second case of (6). So, we suppose f0i , f∞
s ∈ (0, ∞), gi = ∞,
0
and gs∞ = 0. Let λ ∈ (0, L̃2 )—that is, λ ∈ 0, f s1B —and μ ∈ (0, ∞). We choose
∞
α1 > 0, α1 < min{λνν1 f0i A, 1}, and α̃1 ∈ (λf∞
s B, 1). Let α = 1−α and α̃ = 1− α̃ ,
2 1 2 1
and let ε > 0 be a positive number such that ε < f0i and
α1 α2 ε α̃1 α̃2

≤ λ, ≤ μ, ≥ λ, ≥ μ.
νν1 (f0i − ε)A νν2 C (f∞
s + ε)B εD
By using (I6) and the definitions of f0i and gi0 , we deduce that there exists R3 > 0
such that f (t, u, v) ≥ (f0i − ε)(u + v) and g(t, u, v) ≥ 1ε (u + v) for all u, v ≥ 0, with
0 ≤ u + v ≤ R3 , and t ∈ [σ , 1 − σ ]. We denote 3 = {(u, v) ∈ Y, (u, v) Y < R3 }.
Let (u, v) ∈ P with (u, v) Y = R3 —that is, u + v = R3 . Because u(t) +
v(t) ≤ u + v = R3 for all t ∈ [0, 1], then, by using Lemma 1.1.6, we obtain
1−σ
Q1 (u, v)(σ ) ≥ λν1 J1 (s)p(s)f (s, u(s), v(s)) ds
σ
1−σ
≥ λν1 J1 (s)p(s)(f0i − ε)(u(s) + v(s)) ds
σ
1−σ
≥ λνν1 (f0i − ε) J1 (s)p(s)( u + v ) ds
σ
= λνν1 (f0i − ε)A (u, v) Y ≥ α1 (u, v) Y.
Therefore, Q1 (u, v) ≥ Q1 (u, v)(σ ) ≥ α1

(u, v) Y . In a similar manner, we con-
clude
1−σ
Q2 (u, v)(σ ) ≥ μν2 J2 (s)q(s)g(s, u(s), v(s)) ds
σ
1−σ 1
≥ μν2 J2 (s)q(s) (u(s) + v(s)) ds
σ ε

1 1−σ
≥ μνν2 J2 (s)q(s)( u + v ) ds
ε σ
1
= μνν2 C (u, v) Y ≥ α2 (u, v) Y .
ε
So, Q2 (u, v) ≥ Q2 (u, v)(σ ) ≥ α2 (u, v) Y .
Thus, for an arbitrary element (u, v) ∈ P ∩ ∂ 3 we deduce
Q(u, v) Y ≥ (α1 + α2 ) (u, v) Y = (u, v) Y. (1.12)
Now, we define the functions f ∗ , g∗
: [0, 1] × R+ → R+ , = max0≤u+v≤x f ∗ (t, x)
f (t, u, v), g∗ (t, x) = max0≤u+v≤x g(t, u, v), t ∈ [0, 1], x ∈ R+ . Then f (t, u, v) ≤
f ∗ (t, x) and g(t, u, v) ≤ g∗ (t, x) for all t ∈ [0, 1], u ≥ 0, v ≥ 0, and u + v ≤ x. The
functions f ∗ (t, ·) and g∗ (t, ·) are nondecreasing for every t ∈ [0, 1], and they satisfy
the conditions
f ∗ (t, x) g∗ (t, x)
lim sup max ≤ f∞
s
, lim max = 0.
x→∞ t∈[0,1] x x→∞ t∈[0,1] x
Therefore, for ε > 0 there exists R̄4 > 0 such that for all x ≥ R̄4 and t ∈ [0, 1] we
have
f ∗ (t, x) f ∗ (t, x)
≤ lim sup max + ε ≤ f∞
s
+ ε,
x x→∞ t∈[0,1] x
g∗ (t, x) g∗ (t, x)
≤ lim max + ε = ε,
x x→∞ t∈[0,1] x
and so f ∗ (t, x) ≤ (f∞
s + ε)x and g∗ (t, x) ≤ εx.
We consider R4 = max{2R3 , R̄4 }, and we denote 4 = {(u, v) ∈ Y, (u, v) Y < R4 }.

Let (u, v) ∈ P ∩ ∂ 4 . By the definitions of f ∗ and g∗ , we conclude
f (t, u(t), v(t)) ≤ f ∗ (t, (u, v) Y ), g(t, u(t), v(t)) ≤ g∗ (t, (u, v) Y ), ∀ t ∈ [0, 1].
Then for all t ∈ [0, 1], we obtain
1 1
Q1 (u, v)(t) ≤ λ J1 (s)p(s)f (s, u(s), v(s)) ds ≤ λ J1 (s)p(s)f ∗ (s, (u, v) Y ) ds
0 0
1
s
≤ λ(f∞ + ε) J1 (s)p(s) (u, v) Y ds
0
= λ(f∞
s
+ ε)B (u, v) Y ≤ α̃1 (u, v) Y,
and so Q1 (u, v) ≤ α̃1 (u, v) Y .

In a similar manner, we deduce
1 1
Q2 (u, v)(t) ≤ μ J2 (s)q(s)g(s, u(s), v(s)) ds ≤ μ J2 (s)q(s)g∗ (s, (u, v) Y ) ds
0 0
1
≤ με J2 (s)q(s) (u, v) Y ds = μεD (u, v) Y ≤ α̃2 (u, v) Y,
0
and so Q2 (u, v) ≤ α̃2 (u, v) Y .
Therefore, for (u, v) ∈ P ∩ ∂ 4 it follows that
Q(u, v) Y ≤ (α̃1 + α̃2 ) (u, v) Y = (u, v) Y. (1.13)
By using (1.12), (1.13), Lemma 1.1.8, and Theorem 1.1.1 (2), we conclude that Q
has a fixed point (u, v) ∈ P ∩ ( ¯ 4 \ 3 ) such that R3 ≤ (u, v) Y ≤ R4 .
1.1.4 Examples
Let a(t) = 1, b(t) = 4, c(t) = 1, d(t) = 1, p(t) = 1, and q(t) = 1 for all t ∈ [0, 1],
α = 1, β = 3, γ = 1, δ = 1, α̃ = 3, β̃ = 2, γ̃ = 1, δ̃ = 3/2,
⎧
⎨ 0, t ∈ [0, 1/3),
H1 (t) = t2 , H2 (t) = 7/2, t ∈ [1/3, 2/3),
⎩
11/2, t ∈ [2/3, 1],

0, t ∈ [0, 1/2),
K1 (t) = K2 (t) = t3 .
4/3, t ∈ [1/2, 1],
1 1 1
0 u(s) dH2 (s) = 2 u 3 +2u 3 , 0 u(s) dK1 (s) = 43 u 0 u(s) dH1 (s) =
7 1 2 1
Then 2 ,
1 1 1 2
2 0 su(s) ds, and 0 u(s) dK2 (s) = 3 0 s u(s) ds.
We consider the second-order differential system

u (t) − 4u(t) + λf (t, u(t), v(t)) = 0, t ∈ (0, 1),
(S)
v (t) − v(t) + μg(t, u(t), v(t)) = 0, t ∈ (0, 1),
with the boundary conditions

⎧ 1
⎪
⎪ 7 1 2
⎨ u(0) − 3u (0) = 2 su(s) ds, u(1) + u (1) = u + 2u ,
0 2 3 3
⎪
⎪ 4 1 3 1
⎩ 3v(0) − 2v (0) = v , v(1) + v (1) = 3 s2 v(s) ds.
3 2 2 0
(BC)
The functions ψ and φ from Section 1.1.2 are the solutions of the following
problems:

ψ (t) − 4ψ(t) = 0, 0 < t < 1, φ (t) − 4φ(t) = 0, 0 < t < 1,
ψ(0) = 3, ψ (0) = 1, φ(1) = 1, φ (1) = −1.
We obtain ψ(t) = 7 4e e2t+5 and φ(t) = 1+3 e4−4t 21 e4 −5

4t
4 e2−2t
for all t ∈ [0, 1], τ1 = 4 e2
,
1
7 1 2
1 := τ1 − ψ(s) dH2 (s) = τ1 − ψ + 2ψ
0 2 3 3
= (42 e4 − 28 e10/3 − 49 e8/3 − 35 e4/3 − 20 e2/3 − 10)/(8 e2 )≈ 10.51047404 > 0,

1 1
2 := τ1 − φ(s) dH1 (s) = τ1 − 2 sφ(s) ds
0 0
1
= (21 e − 5)/(4 e ) − 2
4 2
s(1 + 3 e4−4s )/(4 e2−2s ) ds ≈ 36.83556247 > 0,
0
1 1 1
3 := ψ(s) dH1 (s) = 2 sψ(s) ds = 2 s(7 e4s + 5)/(4 e2s ) ds ≈ 7.71167043,
0 0 0
1
7 1 2
4 := φ(s) dH2 (s) = φ + 2φ
0 2 3 3
= 7(1 + 3 e8/3 )/(8 e4/3 ) + 2(1 + 3 e4/3 )/(4 e2/3 ) ≈ 13.36733534,
1 = 1 2 − 3 4 ≈ 284.07473844 > 0.
The functions g1 and J1 are given by

1 φ(t)ψ(s), 0 ≤ s ≤ t ≤ 1,
g1 (t, s) = or
τ1 φ(s)ψ(t), 0 ≤ t ≤ s ≤ 1,
⎧
⎪ (1 + 3 e4−4t )(7 e4s + 5)
⎪
⎪ , 0 ≤ s ≤ t ≤ 1,
4 e2 ⎨ 16 e2−2t+2s
g1 (t, s) =
21 e4 − 5 ⎪
⎪
⎩ (1 + 3 e
⎪ 4−4s )(7 e4t + 5)
, 0 ≤ t ≤ s ≤ 1,
16 e2−2s+2t
1
1
J1 (s) = g1 (s, s) + (4 ψ(1) + 1 φ(0)) × 2 τ g1 (τ , s) dτ
1 0

1 7 1 2
+ (2 ψ(1) + 3 φ(0)) g1 , s + 2g1 ,s
1 2 3 3
s 1
1
= g1 (s, s) + (4 ψ(1) + 1 φ(0)) × 2 τ g1 (τ , s) dτ + τ g1 (τ , s) dτ
1 0 s

1 7 1 2
+ (2 ψ(1) + 3 φ(0)) g1 , s + 2g1 ,s
1 2 3 3
⎧ s 1
⎪
⎪ 1 1
⎪
⎪ φ(s)ψ(s)+ (4 ψ(1)+1 φ(0)) × 2 φ(s) τ ψ(τ ) dτ + ψ(s) τ φ(τ ) dτ
⎪
⎪ τ1 1
⎪
⎪
0 s
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ 1 7 1 2 1
⎪
⎪ + (2 ψ(1)+3 φ(0)) φ ψ(s)+2φ ψ(s) , 0 ≤ s < ,
⎪
⎪ 1
⎪
⎪
2 3 3 3
⎪
⎪ s 1
⎪
⎪ 1 1
⎪
⎪ φ(s)ψ(s)+ (4 ψ(1)+1 φ(0)) × 2 φ(s) τ ψ(τ ) dτ +ψ(s) τ φ(τ ) dτ
⎨
τ1 1 0 s
=
⎪
⎪ 1 7 1 2 1 2
⎪
⎪ + (2 ψ(1) + 3 φ(0)) φ(s)ψ + 2φ ψ(s) , ≤s< ,
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ 1 2 3 3 3 3
⎪
⎪ s 1
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ 1 1
⎪
⎪ φ(s)ψ(s)+ (4 ψ(1)+1 φ(0)) × 2 φ(s) τ ψ(τ ) dτ +ψ(s) τ φ(τ ) dτ
⎪
⎪ τ1 1
⎪
⎪
0

s
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ 1 7 1 2 2
⎩ + (2 ψ(1) + 3 φ(0)) φ(s)ψ + 2φ(s)ψ , ≤ s ≤ 1.
1 2 3 3 3
The functions ψ̃ and φ̃ from Section 1.1.2 are the solutions of the following
problems:
⎧ ⎧
⎨ ψ̃ (t) − ψ̃(t) = 0, 0 < t < 1, ⎨ φ̃ (t) − φ̃(t) = 0, 0 < t < 1,
⎪
⎩ ⎪
⎩ φ̃(1) = 3 ,
ψ̃(0) = 2, ψ̃ (0) = 3, φ̃ (1) = −1.
2
We obtain ψ̃(t) = 5 e2 e−1 e 25 e2 +1
2t 2−2t
t and φ̃(t) = 1+5
4 e1−t
for all t ∈ [0, 1], τ2 = 4e ,
1 1
˜ 1 := τ2 −
ψ̃(s) dK2 (s) = τ2 − 3 s2 ψ̃(s) ds
0 0
1
2
= (25 e + 1)/(4 e) − 3 s (5 e − 1)/(2 es ) ds ≈ 11.93502177 > 0,
2 2s
0
1
˜ 4 1
2 := τ2 − φ̃(s) dK1 (s) = τ2 − φ̃
0 3 2
= (25 e2 + 1)/(4 e) − (1 + 5 e)/(3 e1/2 ) ≈ 14.13118562 > 0,
1
4 1
˜ 3 :=
ψ̃(s) dK1 (s) = ψ̃ = (10 e − 2)/(3 e1/2 ) ≈ 5.09138379,
0 3 2
1 1 1
˜ 4 :=
φ̃(s) dK2 (s) = 3 s2 φ̃(s) ds = 3 s2 (1 + 5 e2−2s )/(4 e1−s ) ds ≈ 1.83529455,
0 0 0
˜ 1
2 = ˜ 3
˜2 − ˜ 4 ≈ 159.31181898 > 0.
The functions g2 and J2 are given by

⎧
1 ⎨ φ̃(t)ψ̃(s), 0 ≤ s ≤ t ≤ 1,
g2 (t, s) = or
τ2 ⎩ φ̃(s)ψ̃(t), 0 ≤ t ≤ s ≤ 1,
⎧
⎪ (1 + 5 e2−2t )(5 e2s − 1)
⎪
⎨ , 0 ≤ s ≤ t ≤ 1,
4e 8 e1−t+s
g2 (t, s) =
25 e2 + 1 ⎪
⎪
⎩ (1 + 5 e
2−2s )(5 e2t − 1)
, 0 ≤ t ≤ s ≤ 1,
8 e1−s+t

1 4 1
J2 (s) = g2 (s, s) + ˜ ˜
(4 ψ̃(1) + 1 φ̃(0)) g2 ,s
2 3 2
1
1 ˜ ˜ 3 φ̃(0)) × 3
+ (2 ψ̃(1) + τ 2 g2 (τ , s) dτ
2 0

1 4 1
= g2 (s, s) + ˜ 4 ψ̃(1) +
( ˜ 1 φ̃(0)) g2 ,s
2 3 2
s 1
1
+ ˜ 2 ψ̃(1) +
( ˜ 3 φ̃(0)) × 3 τ 2 g2 (τ , s) dτ + τ 2 g2 (τ , s) dτ
2 0 s
⎧
⎪ 1 1 4 1
⎪
⎪ φ̃(s)ψ̃(s) + ˜ 4 ψ̃(1) +
˜ 1 φ̃(0) × φ̃ ψ̃(s)
⎪
⎪ τ2 2 3 2
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ 1 ˜ ˜ 3 φ̃(0)
⎪
⎪ + 2 ψ̃(1) +
⎪
⎪ 2
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ ×3 φ̃(s)
s 2 1 2
⎪
⎨ 0 τ ψ̃(τ ) dτ + ψ̃(s) s τ φ̃(τ ) dτ , 0 ≤ s < 12 ,
=
⎪
⎪ 1 1
˜ 4 ψ̃(1) +
4
˜ 1 φ̃(0) × φ̃(s)ψ̃
1
⎪
⎪ φ̃(s)ψ̃(s) +
⎪
⎪ τ2 2 3 2
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ 1
˜ 2 ψ̃(1) +
˜ 3 φ̃(0)
⎪
⎪ +
⎪
⎪ 2
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ s
⎪
⎪
1 1
⎩ ×3 φ̃(s) τ ψ̃(τ ) dτ + ψ̃(s)
2
τ φ̃(τ ) dτ
2
, ≤ s ≤ 1.
0 s 2
For σ = 1/4, we have ν = ν1 = (1 + 3 e) e3/2 /(1 + 3 e4 ) and ν2 = (5 e1/2 − 1)

3/4 1
e3/4 /(5 e2 − 1). We also deduce A = 1/4 J1 (s) ds ≈ 1.35977188, B = 0 J1 (s) ds ≈
3/4 1
2.51890379, C = 1/4 J2 (s) ds ≈ 0.48198213, and D = 0 J2 (s) ds ≈ 0.93192847.
Example 1.1.1. First, we consider the functions
et [p1 (u + v) + 1](u + v)(q1 + sin v)

f (t, u, v) = ,
u+v+1
e−t [p2 (u + v) + 1](u + v)(q2 + cos u)

g(t, u, v) =
u+v+1
for all t ∈ [0, 1] and u, v ∈ [0, ∞), with p1 , p2 > 0 and q1 , q2 > 1.
We deduce f0s = eq1 , gs0 = q2 + 1, f∞ i = e1/4 p (q − 1), and gi = e−3/4
1 1 ∞
p2 (q2 − 1). For α1 , α2 > 0 with α1 + α2 = 1, we consider α̃1 = α1 and α̃2 = α2 .
Then we obtain
α1 (1 + 3 e4 )2 α1
L1 = , L2 = ,
e 13/4 (1 + 3 e)2 p1 (q1 − 1)A eq1 B
α2 (1 + 3 e4 )(5 e2 − 1) α2
L3 = , L4 = .
e3/2 (1 + 3 e)(5 e1/2 − 1)p2 (q2 − 1)C (q2 + 1)D
The conditions L1 < L2 and L3 < L4 become
p1 (q1 − 1) (1 + 3 e4 )2 eB p2 (q2 − 1) (1 + 3 e4 )(5 e2 − 1)D

> , > .
q1 (1 + 3 e)2 e13/4A q2 + 1 (1 + 3 e)(5 e1/2 − 1) e3/2 C
If p1 (q1 − 1)/q1 ≥ 64 and p2 (q2 − 1)/(q2 + 1) ≥ 39, then the above conditions
are satisfied. For example, if α1 = α2 = 1/2, p1 = 128, q1 = 2, p2 = 117, and
q2 = 2, we obtain L1 ≈ 0.03609275, L2 ≈ 0.03651185, L3 ≈ 0.17672178, and L4 ≈
0.17884062. Therefore, by Theorem 1.1.2 (1), for each λ ∈ (L1 , L2 ) and μ ∈ (L3 , L4 )
there exists a positive solution (u(t), v(t)), t ∈ [0, 1] for problem (S)–(BC).
Example 1.1.2. We consider the functions
f (t, u, v) = (u + v)β1 , g(t, u, v) = (u + v)β2 , ∀ t ∈ [0, 1], u, v ∈ [0, ∞),
with β1 , β2 > 1. Then =
f0s = 0 and
gs0 = = ∞. By Theorem 1.1.2 (8),
i
f∞ gi∞
we deduce that for each λ ∈ (0, ∞) and μ ∈ (0, ∞) there exists a positive solution
(u(t), v(t)), t ∈ [0, 1] for problem (S)–(BC).
Example 1.1.3. We consider the functions
f (t, u, v) = (u + v)γ1 , g(t, u, v) = (u + v)γ2 , ∀ t ∈ [0, 1], u, v ∈ [0, ∞),
with γ1 , γ2 ∈ (0, 1). Then = f0i = ∞ and
gi0 = = 0. By Theorem 1.1.3 (8),
s
f∞ gs∞
we deduce that for each λ ∈ (0, ∞) and μ ∈ (0, ∞) there exists a positive solution
(u(t), v(t)), t ∈ [0, 1] for problem (S)–(BC).
1.2 Nonexistence of positive solutions

We consider again problem (S)–(BC) from Section 1.1 with the auxiliary results from
Section 1.1.2 and assumptions (I1)–(I6) from Section 1.1.3. In this section, we deter-
mine intervals for λ and μ for which there exists no positive solution (in the sense of
the definition from Section 1.1.1—that is, u(t) ≥ 0, v(t) ≥ 0 for all t ∈ [0, 1] and
(u, v) = (0, 0)) of problem (S)–(BC).
1.2.1 Main nonexistence results

Our main results related to the nonexistence of positive solutions for problem (S)–(BC)
are as follows:
s , gs , gs < ∞, then there exist
Theorem 1.2.1. Assume that (I1)–(I6) hold. If f0s , f∞ 0 ∞
positive constants λ0 and μ0 such that for every λ ∈ (0, λ0 ) and μ ∈ (0, μ0 ) the
boundary value problem (S)–(BC) has no positive solution.
s < ∞, we deduce that there exist M , M , r , r > 0, r < r
Proof. Since f0s , f∞ 1 1 1 1 1 1
such that
f (t, u, v) ≤ M1 (u + v), ∀ u, v ≥ 0, u + v ∈ [0, r1 ], t ∈ [0, 1],
f (t, u, v) ≤ M1 (u + v), ∀ u, v ≥ 0, u + v ∈ [r1 , ∞), t ∈ [0, 1].

We consider M1 = max M1 , M1 , maxr1 ≤u+v≤r1 maxt∈[0,1] f (t,u,v)
u+v > 0. Then we
obtain
f (t, u, v) ≤ M1 (u + v), ∀ u, v ≥ 0, t ∈ [0, 1].
Since gs0 , gs∞ < ∞, we deduce that there exist M2 , M2 , r2 , r2 > 0, r2 < r2 such
that
g(t, u, v) ≤ M2 (u + v), ∀ u, v ≥ 0, u + v ∈ [0, r2 ], t ∈ [0, 1],
g(t, u, v) ≤ M2 (u + v), ∀ u, v ≥ 0, u + v ∈ [r2 , ∞), t ∈ [0, 1].

We consider M2 = max M2 , M2 , maxr2 ≤u+v≤r maxt∈[0,1] g(t,u,v)
u+v > 0. Then we
2
obtain
g(t, u, v) ≤ M2 (u + v), ∀ u, v ≥ 0, t ∈ [0, 1].
1
We define λ0 = 1
2M1 B and μ0 = 1
2M2 D , where B = 0 J1 (s)p(s) ds and D =
1
0 J2 (s)q(s) ds. We shall show that for every λ ∈ (0, λ0 ) and μ ∈ (0, μ0 ) problem
(S)–(BC) has no positive solution.
Let λ ∈ (0, λ0 ) and μ ∈ (0, μ0 ). We suppose that (S)–(BC) has a positive solution
(u(t), v(t)), t ∈ [0, 1]. Then we have
1
u(t) = Q1 (u, v)(t) = λ G1 (t, s)p(s)f (s, u(s), v(s)) ds
0
1 1
≤λ J1 (s)p(s)f (s, u(s), v(s)) ds ≤ λM1 J1 (s)p(s)(u(s) + v(s)) ds
0 0
1
≤ λM1 ( u + v ) J1 (s)p(s) ds = λM1 B (u, v) Y, ∀ t ∈ [0, 1].
0
Therefore, we conclude
1
u ≤ λM1 B (u, v) Y < λ0 M1 B (u, v) Y = (u, v) Y.
2
In a similar manner, we have
1
v(t) = Q2 (u, v)(t) = μ G2 (t, s)q(s)g(s, u(s), v(s)) ds
0
1 1
≤μ J2 (s)q(s)g(s, u(s), v(s)) ds ≤ μM2 J2 (s)q(s)(u(s) + v(s)) ds
0 0
1
≤ μM2 ( u + v ) J2 (s)q(s) ds = μM2 D (u, v) Y, ∀ t ∈ [0, 1].
0
Therefore, we conclude
1
v ≤ μM2 D (u, v) Y < μ0 M2 D (u, v) Y = (u, v) Y.
2
Hence, (u, v) Y = u + v < 12 (u, v) Y + 12 (u, v) Y = (u, v) Y , which is
a contradiction. So, the boundary value problem (S)–(BC) has no positive solution.
i > 0 and f (t, u, v) > 0 for all

Theorem 1.2.2. Assume that (I1)–(I6) hold. If f0i , f∞
t ∈ [σ , 1 − σ ], u ≥ 0, v ≥ 0, and u + v > 0, then there exists a positive constant λ̃0
such that for every λ > λ̃0 and μ > 0 the boundary value problem (S)–(BC) has no
positive solution.
Proof. By the assumptions of this theorem, we deduce that there exist m1 , m1 , r3 ,
r3 > 0, r3 < r3 such that

f (t, u, v) ≥ m1 (u + v),

∀ u, v ≥ 0, u + v ∈ [0, r3 ], t ∈ [σ , 1 − σ ],
f (t, u, v) ≥ m1 (u + v),
∀ u, v ≥ 0, u + v ∈ [r3 , ∞), t ∈ [σ , 1 − σ ].

We introduce m1 = min m1 , m1 , minu+v∈[r3 ,r ] mint∈[σ ,1−σ ] f (t,u,v)
u+v > 0. Then
3
we obtain
f (t, u, v) ≥ m1 (u + v), ∀ u, v ≥ 0, t ∈ [σ , 1 − σ ].
1−σ
We define λ̃0 = νν11m1 A > 0, where A = σ J1 (s)p(s) ds. We shall show that for
every λ > λ̃0 and μ > 0 problem (S)–(BC) has no positive solution.
Let λ > λ̃0 and μ > 0. We suppose that (S)–(BC) has a positive solution
(u(t), v(t)), t ∈ [0, 1]. Then we obtain
1
u(σ ) = Q1 (u, v)(σ ) = λ G1 (σ , s)p(s)f (s, u(s), v(s)) ds
0
1−σ
≥λ G1 (σ , s)p(s)f (s, u(s), v(s)) ds
σ
1−σ
≥ λm1 G1 (σ , s)p(s)(u(s) + v(s)) ds
σ
1−σ
≥ λm1 ν1 J1 (s)p(s)ν( u + v ) ds = λm1 νν1 A (u, v) Y.
σ
u ≥ u(σ ) ≥ λm1 νν1 A (u, v) Y > λ̃0 m1 νν1 A (u, v) Y = (u, v) Y,
and so (u, v) Y = u + v ≥ u > (u, v) Y , which is a contradiction. Therefore,

the boundary value problem (S)–(BC) has no positive solution.
Theorem 1.2.3. Assume that (I1)–(I6) hold. If gi0 , gi∞ > 0 and g(t, u, v) > 0 for
all t ∈ [σ , 1 − σ ], u ≥ 0, v ≥ 0, and u + v > 0, then there exists a positive constant
μ̃0 such that for every μ > μ̃0 and λ > 0 the boundary value problem (S)–(BC) has
no positive solution.
Proof. By the assumptions of this theorem, we deduce that there exist m2 , m2 , r4 ,
r4 > 0, r4 < r4 such that

g(t, u, v) ≥ m2 (u + v), ∀ u, v ≥ 0, u + v ∈ [0, r4 ], t ∈ [σ , 1 − σ ],
g(t, u, v) ≥ m2 (u + v),

∀ u, v ≥ 0, u + v ∈ [r4 , ∞), t ∈ [σ , 1 − σ ].

We introduce m2 = min m2 , m2 , minu+v∈[r4 ,r4 ] mint∈[σ ,1−σ ] g(t,u,v)
u+v > 0. Then
we obtain
g(t, u, v) ≥ m2 (u + v), ∀ u, v ≥ 0, t ∈ [σ , 1 − σ ].
1−σ
We define μ̃0 = νν21m2 C > 0, where C = σ J2 (s)q(s) ds. We shall show that
for every μ > μ̃0 and λ > 0 problem (S)–(BC) has no positive solution.
Let μ > μ̃0 and λ > 0. We suppose that (S)–(BC) has a positive solution
(u(t), v(t)), t ∈ [0, 1]. Then we obtain
1
v(σ ) = Q2 (u, v)(σ ) = μ G2 (σ , s)q(s)g(s, u(s), v(s)) ds
0
1−σ
≥μ G2 (σ , s)q(s)g(s, u(s), v(s)) ds
σ
1−σ
≥ μm2 G2 (σ , s)q(s)(u(s) + v(s)) ds
σ
1−σ
≥ μm2 ν2 J2 (s)q(s)ν( u + v ) ds = μm2 νν2 C (u, v) Y.
σ
v ≥ v(σ ) ≥ μm2 νν2 C (u, v) Y > μ̃0 m2 νν2 C (u, v) Y = (u, v) Y,
and so (u, v) Y = u + v ≥ v > (u, v) Y , which is a contradiction. Therefore,

the boundary value problem (S)–(BC) has no positive solution.
Theorem 1.2.4. Assume that (I1)–(I6) hold. If f0i , f∞ i , gi , gi > 0, f (t, u, v) > 0,
0 ∞
and g(t, u, v) > 0 for all t ∈ [σ , 1 − σ ], u ≥ 0, v ≥ 0, and u + v > 0, then there exist
positive constants λ̂0 and μ̂0 such that for every λ > λ̂0 and μ > μ̂0 the boundary
value problem (S)–(BC) has no positive solution.
Proof. By the assumptions of this theorem, we deduce as above that there exist
m1 , m2 > 0 such that
f (t, u, v) ≥ m1 (u + v), g(t, u, v) ≥ m2 (u + v), ∀ u, v ≥ 0, t ∈ [σ , 1 − σ ].
λ̃0 μ̃0
We define λ̂0 = 1
2νν1 m1 A = 2 and μ̂0 = 1
2νν2 m2 C = 2 . Then for every
λ > λ̂0 and μ > μ̂0 , problem (S)–(BC) has no positive solution. Let λ > λ̂0 and
μ > μ̂0 . We suppose that (S)–(BC) has a positive solution (u(t), v(t)), t ∈ [0, 1].
Then in a manner similar to that above, we deduce
u ≥ λm1 νν1 A (u, v) Y, v ≥ μm2 νν2 C (u, v) Y,
and so
(u, v) Y = u + v ≥ λm1 νν1 A (u, v) Y + μm2 νν2 C (u, v) Y
> λ̂0 m1 νν1 A (u, v) Y + μ̂0 m2 νν2 C (u, v) Y
1 1
=
(u, v) Y + (u, v) Y = (u, v) Y ,
2 2
which is a contradiction. Therefore, the boundary value problem (S)–(BC) has no
positive solution.
1.2.2 An example
Example 1.2.1. We consider the first example from Section 1.1.4—that is, problem
(S)–(BC) with f and g given in Example 1.1.1. Because f0s = eq1 , f∞ s = ep (q + 1),
1 1
g0 = q2 + 1, and g∞ = p2 (q2 + 1) are finite, we can apply Theorem 1.2.1. Using
s s
the same values for p1 , q1 , p2 , and q2 as in Example 1.1.1 from Section 1.1.4—that
is, p1 = 128, q1 = 2, p2 = 117, and q2 = 2, we deduce
f (t, u, v) [p1 (u+v)+1](q1 +sin v)
M1 = sup max = e sup ≈ 1043.82022212,
u,v≥0 t∈[0,1] u + v u,v≥0 u+v +1
g(t, u, v) [p2 (u + v) + 1](q2 + cos u)

M2 = sup max = sup = 351.
u,v≥0 t∈[0,1] u+v u,v≥0 u+v+1
Then we obtain λ0 = 2M11 B ≈ 0.00019016 and μ0 = 2M12 D ≈ 0.00152855. There-

fore, by Theorem 1.2.1, we conclude that for every λ ∈ (0, λ0 ) and μ ∈ (0, μ0 )
problem (S)–(BC) has no positive solution.
Remark 1.2.1. The results presented in Sections 1.1 and 1.2 were published in
Henderson and Luca (2013j).
1.3 Existence and multiplicity of positive solutions

for systems without parameters
In this section, we investigate the existence and multiplicity of positive solutions for
problem (S)–(BC) from Section 1.1 with λ = μ = 1, p(t) = 1, and q(t) = 1 for all
t ∈ [0, 1], and where f and g are dependent only on t and v, and t and u, respectively.

We consider the system of nonlinear second-order ordinary differential equations

(a(t)u (t)) − b(t)u(t) + f (t, v(t)) = 0, 0 < t < 1,
(S )
(c(t)v (t)) − d(t)v(t) + g(t, u(t)) = 0, 0 < t < 1,
⎧ 1 1
⎪
⎪
⎨ αu(0) − βa(0)u (0) = u(s) dH1 (s), γ u(1) + δa(1)u (1) = u(s) dH2 (s),
0 1 0 1
⎪
⎪
⎩ α̃v(0) − β̃c(0)v (0) = v(s) dK1 (s), γ̃ v(1) + δ̃c(1)v (1) = v(s) dK2 (s),
0 0
(BC)
where the above integrals are Riemann–Stieltjes integrals.
By applying some theorems from the fixed point index theory, we prove the ex-
istence and multiplicity of positive solutions of problem (S )–(BC) when f and g
satisfy various assumptions. By a positive solution of (S )–(BC) we mean a pair of
functions (u, v) ∈ C2 ([0, 1]) × C2 ([0, 1]) satisfying (S ) and (BC) with u(t) ≥ 0
and v(t) ≥ 0 for all t ∈ [0, 1] and supt∈[0,1] u(t) > 0 and supt∈[0,1] v(t) > 0. This
problem is a generalization of the problem studied in Henderson and Luca (2012a),
where a(t) = c(t) = 1 and b(t) = d(t) = 0 for all t ∈ (0, 1) in system (S ) (de-
noted by (S̃ )), α = α̃ = 1, β = β̃ = 0, γ = γ̃ = 1, δ = δ̃ = 0, H1 and K1
are constant functions, and H2 and K2 are step functions (i.e., boundary conditions
(BC) become multipoint boundary conditions). In Zhou and Xu (2006), the authors
investigated the existence and multiplicity of positive solutions for system (S̃ ) with
the boundary conditions u(0) = 0, u(1) = αu(η), v(0) = 0, v(1) = αv(η), η ∈ (0, 1),
and 0 < αη < 1.
We recall now some theorems concerning the fixed point index theory. Let E be
a real Banach space, P ⊂ E a cone, “≤” the partial ordering defined by P, and θ the
zero element in E. For > 0, let B = {u ∈ E, u < } be the open ball of radius
centered at 0, and let its boundary be ∂B = {u ∈ E, u = }. The proofs of our
results are based on the following fixed point index theorems:
Theorem 1.3.1 (Amann, 1976). Let A : B̄ ∩ P → P be a completely continuous
operator which has no fixed point on ∂B ∩ P. If Au ≤ u for all u ∈ ∂B ∩ P,
then i(A, B ∩ P, P) = 1.
Theorem 1.3.2 (Amann, 1976). Let A : B̄ ∩ P → P be a completely continuous
operator. If there exists u0 ∈ P \ {θ} such that u − Au = λu0 for all λ ≥ 0 and
u ∈ ∂B ∩ P, then i(A, B ∩ P, P) = 0.
Theorem 1.3.3 (Zhou and Xu, 2006). Let A : B̄ ∩ P → P be a completely contin-
uous operator which has no fixed point on ∂B ∩ P. If there exists a linear operator
L : P → P and u0 ∈ P \ {θ} such that
(1) u0 ≤ Lu0 and (2) Lu ≤ Au, ∀ u ∈ ∂B ∩ P,
then i(A, B ∩ P, P) = 0.
We shall suppose that assumptions (A1)–(A5) from Section 1.1.2 hold, and we
shall use in our main results from this section Lemmas 1.1.1–1.1.7 from
Section 1.1.2.
1.3.2 Main results

We investigate the existence and multiplicity of positive solutions for our problem
(S )–(BC), under various assumptions on f and g.
We present the basic assumptions that we shall use in the sequel:
(H1) The functions a, c ∈ C1 ([0, 1], (0, ∞)) and b, d ∈ C([0, 1], [0, ∞)).
(H2) α, β, γ , δ, α̃, β̃, γ̃ , δ̃ ∈ [0, ∞) with α + β > 0, γ + δ > 0, α̃ + β̃ > 0, and γ̃ + δ̃ > 0; if
(H3) H1 , H2 , K1 , K2 : [0, 1] → R are nondecreasing functions.
1 1 1
(H4) τ1 − 0 φ(s) dH1 (s) > 0, τ1 − 0 ψ(s) dH2 (s) > 0, τ2 − 0 φ̃(s) dK1 (s) > 0, τ2 −
1
0 ψ̃(s) dK2 (s) > 0, 1 > 0, and 2 > 0, where τ1 , τ2 , 1 , and 2 are defined in
Section 1.1.2.
(H5) The functions f , g ∈ C([0, 1] × [0, ∞), [0, ∞)) and f (t, 0) = 0, g(t, 0) = 0 for all
t ∈ [0, 1].
The pair of functions (u, v) ∈ C2 ([0, 1]) × C2 ([0, 1]) is a solution for our problem
(S )–(BC) if and only if (u, v) ∈ C([0, 1]) × C([0, 1]) is a solution for the nonlinear
integral system
⎧ 1
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎨ u(t) = G1 (t, s)f (s, v(s)) ds, t ∈ [0, 1],
0
⎪ 1 (1.14)
⎪
⎪
⎩ v(t) = G2 (t, s)g(s, u(s)) ds, t ∈ [0, 1].
0
Besides, system (1.14) can be written as the nonlinear integral system
⎧
⎪
⎪
1 1
⎪
⎨ u(t) = G1 (t, s)f s, G2 (s, τ )g(τ , u(τ )) dτ ds, t ∈ [0, 1],
0 0
⎪ 1
⎪
⎪
⎩ v(t) = G2 (t, s)g(s, u(s)) ds, t ∈ [0, 1].
0
We consider the Banach space X = C([0, 1]) with the supremum norm · , and
define the cone P ⊂ X by P = {u ∈ X, u(t) ≥ 0, ∀ t ∈ [0, 1]}.
We also define the operator A : P → X by
1 1
(Au)(t) = G1 (t, s)f s, G2 (s, τ )g(τ , u(τ )) dτ ds, t ∈ [0, 1],
0 0
and the operators B : → X and C : P → X by

P
1 1
(B u)(t) = G1 (t, s)u(s) ds, (C u)(t) = G2 (t, s)u(s) ds, t ∈ [0, 1].
0 0
Under assumptions (H1)–(H5), using also Lemma 1.1.5, we find that A, B , and C
are completely continuous from P to P . Thus, the existence and multiplicity of pos-
itive solutions of problem (S )–(BC) are equivalent to the existence and multiplicity
of fixed points of the operator A.
Theorem 1.3.4. Assume that (H1)–(H5) hold. If the functions f and g also satisfy
the following conditions (H6) and (H7), then problem (S )–(BC) has at least one
positive solution (u(t), v(t)), t ∈ [0, 1]:
(H6) There exist σ ∈ (0, 1/2) and p ∈ (0, 1] such that
f (t, u) g(t, u)
(1) f̃∞
i
= lim inf inf ∈ (0, ∞] and (2) g̃i∞ = lim inf inf = ∞.
u→∞ t∈[σ ,1−σ ] up u→∞ t∈[σ ,1−σ ] u1/p
(H7) There exist q1 , q2 > 0 with q1 q2 ≥ 1 such that

f (t, u) g(t, u)
(1) f̃0s = lim sup sup ∈ [0, ∞) and (2) g̃s0 = lim sup sup = 0.
u→0+ t∈[0,1] uq1 u→0+ t∈[0,1] uq2
Proof. For σ from (H6), we define the cone P0 = {u ∈ P ; inft∈[σ ,1−σ ] u(t) ≥
ν u }, where ν = min{ν1 , ν2 }, and ν1 and ν2 are defined in Section 1.1.2. From our
assumptions and Lemma 1.1.7, we obtain B (P ) ⊂ P0 and C (P ) ⊂ P0 . Now we
1
consider the function u0 (t) = 0 G1 (t, s) ds = (B y0 )(t), t ∈ [0, 1], where y0 (t) = 1
for all t ∈ [0, 1], and the set
M = {u ∈ P ; there exists λ ≥ 0 such that u = Au + λu0 }.
We shall show that M ⊂ P0 and that M is a bounded subset of X. If u ∈ M, then
there exists λ ≥ 0 such that u(t) = (Au)(t) + λu0 (t), t ∈ [0, 1]. Hence, we have
u(t) = (Au)(t) + λ(B y0 )(t) = B (Fu(t)) + λ(B y0 )(t) = B (Fu(t) + λy0 (t)) ∈ P0 ,
where F: P → P is defined by (Fu)(t) = f t,

1
0 G2 (t, s)g(s, u(s)) ds . Therefore,
M ⊂ P0 , and
1
u ≤ inf u(t), ∀ u ∈ M. (1.15)
ν t∈[σ ,1−σ ]
From (1) of assumption (H6), we deduce that there exist C1 , C2 > 0 such that
f (t, u) ≥ C1 up − C2 , ∀ (t, u) ∈ [σ , 1 − σ ] × [0, ∞). (1.16)
If i
f̃∞ ∈ (0, ∞), then we obtain
f (t, u)
∀ ε > 0 ∃ δε > 0 such that ∀ u ≥ δε we have ≥ f̃∞
i
− ε, ∀ t ∈ [σ , 1 − σ ].
up
We choose ε ∈ (0, f̃∞ i ), and we denote C = f̃ i − ε > 0. Then from the above
1 ∞
relation, we deduce that there exists δ0 > 0 such that f (t, u) ≥ C1 up for all u ≥ δ0 and
t ∈ [σ , 1 − σ ]. Because f (t, u) ≥ 0 ≥ C1 up − C2 for all u ∈ [0, δ0 ] and t ∈ [σ , 1 − σ ],
p
with C2 = C1 δ0 , then we obtain relation (1.16).
i = ∞—that is, lim f (t,u)
If f̃∞ u→∞ inft∈[σ ,1−σ ] up = ∞—then we obtain
f (t, u)
∀ε > 0 ∃ δε > 0 such that ∀u ≥ δε we have ≥ ε, ∀ t ∈ [σ , 1−σ ].
up
For ε = 1, we deduce that there exists δ̃0 > 0 such that f (t, u) ≥ up for all u ≥ δ̃0 and
t ∈ [σ , 1 − σ ]. Because f (t, u) ≥ 0 ≥ up − C2 for all u ∈ [0, δ̃0 ] and t ∈ [σ , 1 − σ ],
p
with C2 = δ̃0 , then we obtain relation (1.16) with C1 = 1. Therefore, in both cases,
we obtain inequality (1.16).
From (2) of assumption (H6), we have limu→∞ inft∈[σ ,1−σ ] g(t,u)
u1/p
= ∞—that is,
g(t, u)
∀ε > 0 ∃ uε > 0 such that ∀ u ≥ uε we have ≥ ε, ∀ t ∈ [σ , 1−σ ].
u1/p
p 1−σ
We consider ε0 = 2/(C1 ν1 ν2 m1 m2 ) > 0, where m1 = σ J1 (τ ) dτ > 0 and
1−σ
m2 = σ (J2 (τ ))p dτ > 0. Then from the above relation, we deduce that there
exists u0 > 0 such that (g(t, u))p ≥ ε0 u for all (t, u) ∈ [σ , 1 − σ ] × [u0 , ∞). For

C3 = ε0 u0 > 0 we obtain

(g(t, u))p ≥ ε0 u − C3 , ∀ (t, u) ∈ [σ , 1 − σ ] × [0, ∞). (1.17)
Then for any u ∈ P ,
by using (1.16), Lemma 1.1.6, and the reverse form of
Hölder’s inequality, we have for p ∈ (0, 1)
1 1
(Au)(t) = G1 (t, s)f s, G2 (s, τ )g(τ , u(τ )) dτ ds
0 0
1−σ 1
≥ G1 (t, s)f s, G2 (s, τ )g(τ , u(τ )) dτ ds
σ 0
p
1−σ 1
≥ G1 (t, s) C1 G2 (s, τ )g(τ , u(τ )) dτ − C2 ds
σ 0
p/q0
1−σ 1 1 1
≥ G1 (t, s) C1 (G2 (s, τ )g(τ , u(τ ))) dτ p
dτ ds − C2 J1 (s) ds
σ 0 0 0
1−σ 1−σ
≥ C1 G1 (t, s) (G2 (s, τ ))p (g(τ , u(τ )))p dτ ds − C4 , ∀ t ∈ [0, 1],
σ σ
1
where q0 = p/(p − 1) and C4 = C2 0 J1 (s) ds.
The above inequality is also valid for p = 1. Therefore, for u ∈ P and p ∈ (0, 1]
we have
1−σ 1−σ
(Au)(t) ≥ C1 G1 (t, s) (G2 (s, τ ))p (g(τ , u(τ )))p dτ ds−C4 , ∀ t ∈ [0, 1].
σ σ
(1.18)
Next, for u ∈ M and t ∈ [σ , 1 − σ ], by using Lemma 1.1.6 and relations (1.17) and
(1.18), we obtain
u(t) = (Au)(t) + λu0 (t) ≥ (Au)(t)
1−σ 1−σ
≥ C1 G1 (t, s) (G2 (s, τ )) (g(τ , u(τ ))) dτ ds − C4
p p
σ σ
1−σ 1−σ
p
≥ C1 ν1 ν2 J1 (s) ds (J2 (τ ))p (ε0 u(τ ) − C3 ) dτ − C4
σ σ
1−σ 1−σ
p
≥ C1 ν1 ν2 ε0 J1 (s) ds (J2 (τ ))p dτ inf u(τ ) − C5
σ σ τ ∈[σ ,1−σ ]
=2 inf u(τ ) − C5 ,
τ ∈[σ ,1−σ ]
p
where C5 = C4 + C3 C1 ν1 ν2 m1 m2 > 0.
Hence, inft∈[σ ,1−σ ] u(t) ≥ 2 inft∈[σ ,1−σ ] u(t) − C5 , and so
inf u(t) ≤ C5 , ∀ u ∈ M. (1.19)
t∈[σ ,1−σ ]
From relations (1.15) and (1.19) we obtain u ≤ C5 /ν for all u ∈ M—that is, M
is a bounded subset of X.
Moreover, there exists a sufficiently large R1 (R1 ≥ 1) such that
u = Au + λu0 , ∀ u ∈ ∂BR1 ∩ P , ∀ λ ≥ 0.
From Theorem 1.3.2 we deduce that the fixed point index of the operator A is
i(A, BR1 ∩ P , P ) = 0. (1.20)
Next, from (1) of assumption (H7) we have
f (t, u)
∀ ε > 0 ∃ uε > 0 such that ≤ f̃0s + ε, ∀ (t, u) ∈ [0, 1] × (0, uε ].
uq1
For ε = 1 there exists ũ0 > 0 such that f u(t,u)
q1 ≤ (f̃0 + 1) for all (t, u) ∈ [0, 1] × (0, ũ0].
s
q
If ũ0 ≥ 1, then the last inequality is true for every u ∈ (0, 1]. If ũ0 < 1, then uq1 > ũ01
and f (t, u) ≤ m̃ for all u ∈ (ũ0 , 1] and t ∈ [0, 1], with m̃ > 0. Therefore, for u ∈ (ũ0 , 1]
and t ∈ [0, 1] we obtain f u(t,u)
q1 ≤ q1 . So, we deduce
m̃
ũ0

f (t, u) m̃
≤ M0 , ∀ (t, u) ∈ [0, 1] × (0, 1], where M0 = max f̃0s + 1, q1 > 0,
uq1 ũ0
and using also (H5), we obtain
f (t, u) ≤ M0 uq1 , ∀ (t, u) ∈ [0, 1] × [0, 1]. (1.21)
From (2) of assumption (H7) and from (H5) we have
∀ε > 0 ∃ δε > 0 such that g(t, u) ≤ εuq2 , ∀ (t, u) ∈ [0, 1] × [0, δε ].
q 1
We consider ε1 = min 1/M2 , (1/(2M0 M1 M2 1 ))1/q1 > 0, where M1 = 0 J1 (s) ds >
1
0 and M2 = 0 J2 (s) ds > 0. Then we deduce that there exists r1 ∈ (0, 1) such that
g(t, u) ≤ ε1 uq2 , ∀ (t, u) ∈ [0, 1] × [0, r1 ]. (1.22)
Hence, by (1.22), for any u ∈ B̄r1 ∩ P and t ∈ [0, 1] we obtain
1 1
G2 (t, s)g(s, u(s)) ds ≤ ε1 J2 (s)(u(s))q2 ds ≤ ε1 M2 u q2
≤ 1. (1.23)
0 0
Therefore, by (1.21) and (1.23), we deduce that for any u ∈ B̄r1 ∩ P and t ∈ [0, 1]
1 1 q1
(Au)(t) ≤ M0 G1 (t, s) G2 (s, τ )g(τ , u(τ )) dτ ds
0 0
q q q q
≤ M0 ε11 M1 M2 1 u q1 q2
≤ M0 ε11 M1 M2 1 u ≤ u /2.
This gives us Au ≤ u /2 for all u ∈ ∂Br1 ∩ P . From Theorem 1.3.1 we conclude
that the fixed point index of A is
i(A, Br1 ∩ P , P ) = 1. (1.24)
Combining (1.20) and (1.24), we obtain
i(A, (BR1 \ B̄r1 ) ∩ P , P ) = i(A, BR1 ∩ P , P ) − i(A, Br1 ∩ P , P ) = −1.
Hence, we deduce that A has at least one fixed point u1 ∈ (BR1 \ B̄r1 ) ∩ P —that is,
r1 < u1 < R1 . Let v1 (t) = 0 G2 (t, s)g(s, u1 (s)) ds. Then (u1 , v1 ) ∈ P × P is
1

a solution of (S )–(BC). By using (H5), we also have v1 > 0. If we suppose that
v1 (t) = 0 for all t ∈ [0, 1], then by using (H5), we have f (s, v1 (s)) = f (s, 0) = 0 for
all s ∈ [0, 1]. This implies u1 (t) = 0 for all t ∈ [0, 1], which contradicts u1 > 0.
The proof of Theorem 1.3.4 is completed.
the following conditions (H8) and (H9), then problem (S )–(BC) has at least one
positive solution (u(t), v(t)), t ∈ [0, 1]:
(H8) There exist α1 , α2 > 0 with α1 α2 ≤ 1 such that

f (t, u) g(t, u)
(1) f̃∞
s
= lim sup sup ∈ [0, ∞) and (2) g̃s∞ = lim sup sup = 0.
u→∞ t∈[0,1] uα1 u→∞ t∈[0,1] uα2
(H9) There exists σ ∈ (0, 1/2) such that
f (t, u) g(t, u)
(1) f̃0i = lim inf inf ∈ (0, ∞] and (2) g̃i0 = lim inf inf = ∞.
u→0+ t∈[σ ,1−σ ] u u→0+ t∈[σ ,1−σ ] u
Proof. From assumption (H8) (1), we deduce that there exist C6 , C7 > 0 such that
f (t, u) ≤ C6 uα1 + C7 , ∀ (t, u) ∈ [0, 1] × [0, ∞). (1.25)
s ∈ [0, ∞), then we obtain
If f̃∞
f (t, u) s
∀ε > 0 ∃ uε > 0 such that ≤ f̃∞ + ε, ∀ (t, u) ∈ [0, 1] × [uε , ∞).
uα1
For ε = 1 there exists u0 > 0 such that f (t, u) ≤ (f̃∞s + 1)uα1 for all (t, u) ∈ [0, 1] ×
[u0 , ∞). Because for u ∈ [0, u0 ] and t ∈ [0, 1] there exists C7 > 0 such that f (t, u) ≤
C7 , we obtain relation (1.25) with C6 = f̃∞s + 1 > 0.
From (H8) (2) we have limu→∞ supt∈[0,1] g(t,u)uα2 = 0—that is,

g(t, u)
∀ε > 0 ∃ uε > 0 such that ≤ ε, ∀ (t, u) ∈ [0, 1] × [uε , ∞).
uα2
We consider ε2 = (1/(2α1 +1 C6 M1 M2α1 ))1/α1 , where M1 and M2 are defined in the
proof of Theorem 1.3.4. Then we deduce that there exists u0 > 0 such that g(t, u) ≤
ε2 uα2 for all (t, u) ∈ [0, 1] × [u0 , ∞). For u ∈ [0, u0 ] there exists C8 > 0 such that
g(t, u) ≤ C8 for all t ∈ [0, 1]. Therefore,
g(t, u) ≤ ε2 uα2 + C8 , ∀ (t, u) ∈ [0, 1] × [0, ∞). (1.26)
Hence, for u ∈ P , by using (1.25) and (1.26), we obtain for all t ∈ [0, 1]
1 1 α1
(Au)(t) ≤ G1 (t, s) C6 G2 (s, τ )g(τ , u(τ )) dτ + C7 ds
0 0
α1
1 1
≤ C6 G1 (t, s) G2 (s, τ ) ε2 (u(τ ))α2 + C8 dτ ds + M1 C7
0 0
α1
1 1 α2

≤ C6 J1 (s) J2 (τ ) ε2 u + C8 dτ ds + M1 C7
0 0
α1
α2
α1 1 1
= C6 ε2 u + C8 J1 (s) ds J2 (τ ) dτ + M1 C7 .
0 0
Therefore, we have
α
(Au)(t) ≤ C6 M1 M2α1 ε2 u α2 + C8 1 + M1 C7
≤ 2α1 C6 M1 M2α1 ε2α1 u α1 α2 + 2α1 C6 M1 M2α1 C8α1 + M1 C7 , ∀ t ∈ [0, 1].
For u ∈ P with u ≥ 1 we obtain
(Au)(t) ≤ 2α1 C6 M1 M2α1 ε2α1 u +2α1 C6 M1 M2α1 C8α1 +M1 C7 =: ( u ), ∀ t ∈ [0, 1].
(1.27)
Because lim u →∞ ( u )/ u = 1/2, there exists a large R2 (R2 ≥ 1) such that
3
( u ) ≤ u , ∀ u ∈ P , u ≥ R2 . (1.28)
4
Hence, from (1.27) and (1.28) we deduce Au ≤ 34 u for all u ∈ ∂BR2 ∩ P , and
from Theorem 1.3.1 we have that the fixed point index of the operator A is
i(A, BR2 ∩ P , P ) = 1. (1.29)
On the other hand, from (H9) (1) we deduce that there exist positive constants
C9 > 0 and ũ1 > 0 such that
f (t, u) ≥ C9 u, ∀ (t, u) ∈ [σ , 1 − σ ] × [0, ũ1 ]. (1.30)
If f̃0i ∈ (0, ∞), then we obtain
f (t, u)
∀ε > 0 ∃ uε > 0 such that ≥ f̃0i −ε, ∀ (t, u) ∈ [σ , 1−σ ]×(0, uε ].
u
We choose ε > 0 such that f̃0i − ε > 0; we denote C9 = f̃0i − ε. Then there exists
ũ2 > 0 such that f (t, u) ≥ C9 u for all (t, u) ∈ [σ , 1 − σ ] × [0, ũ2]. We obtain relation
(1.30) with ũ1 = ũ2 .
If f̃0i = ∞, then limu→0+ inft∈[σ ,1−σ ] f (t,u)
u = ∞, and we have
f (t, u)
∀ε > 0 ∃ uε > 0 such that ≥ ε, ∀ (t, u) ∈ [σ , 1 − σ ] × (0, uε ].
u
For ε = 1 there exists û2 such that f (t, u) ≥ u for all (t, u) ∈ [σ , 1 − σ ] × [0, û2]. We
obtain relation (1.30) with C9 = 1 and ũ1 = û2 .
From (H9) (2) we have g̃i0 = limu→0+ inft∈[σ ,1−σ ] g(t,u) u = ∞, and so
g(t, u)
∀ε > 0 ∃ uε > 0 such that ≥ ε, ∀ (t, u) ∈ [σ , 1 − σ ] × (0, uε ].
u
1−σ
For ε = C0 /C9 with C0 = 1/(ν1 ν2 m1 m3 ) > 0 and m3 = σ J2 (τ ) dτ , we deduce
that there exists û1 > 0 such that g(t, u) ≥ C
C9 u for all (t, u) ∈ [σ , 1 − σ ] × [0, û1 ].
0
We consider δ1 = min{ũ1 , û1 }, and then

C0
f (t, u) ≥ C9 u, g(t, u) ≥ u, ∀ (t, u) ∈ [σ , 1 − σ ] × [0, δ1]. (1.31)
C9
Because g(t, 0) = 0 for all t ∈ [0, 1], and g is continuous, it can be shown that
there exists a sufficiently small r2 ∈ (0, min{δ1 , 1}) such that g(t, u) ≤ δ1 /m3 for all
(t, u) ∈ [σ , 1 − σ ] × [0, r2 ]. Hence, for any u ∈ B̄r2 ∩ P we obtain
1−σ 1−σ
G2 (s, τ )g(τ , u(τ )) dτ ≤ J2 (τ )g(τ , u(τ )) dτ ≤ δ1 , ∀ s ∈ [σ , 1−σ ].
σ σ
(1.32)
From (1.31), (1.32), and Lemma 1.1.6, we deduce that for any u ∈ B̄r2 ∩ P we
have
1−σ 1−σ
(Au)(t) ≥ G1 (t, s)f s, G2 (s, τ )g(τ , u(τ )) dτ ds
σ σ
1−σ 1−σ
≥ C9 G1 (t, s) G2 (s, τ )g(τ , u(τ )) dτ ds
σ σ
1−σ 1−σ
≥ C0 G1 (t, s) G2 (s, τ )u(τ ) dτ ds
σ σ
1−σ 1−σ
≥ C0 ν2 G1 (t, s) J2 (τ )u(τ ) dτ ds =: (Lu)(t), t ∈ [0, 1],
σ σ
where the linear operator L : P → P is defined by

1−σ 1−σ
(Lu)(t) = C0 ν2 J2 (τ )u(τ ) dτ G1 (t, s) ds , t ∈ [0, 1].
σ σ
Hence, we obtain
Au ≥ Lu, ∀ u ∈ ∂Br2 ∩ P . (1.33)
G1 (t, s) ds, t ∈ [0, 1] we have w0 ∈ P and w0 = 0. Besides, for

1−σ
For w0 (t) = σ
all t ∈ [0, 1] we deduce
1−σ 1−σ 1−σ
(Lw0 )(t) = C0 ν2 J2 (τ ) G1 (τ , s) ds dτ G1 (t, s) ds
σ σ σ
1−σ 1−σ 1−σ
≥ C0 ν1 ν2 J2 (τ ) dτ J1 (τ ) dτ G1 (t, s) ds
σ σ σ
1−σ 1−σ
= C0 ν1 ν2 m1 m3 G1 (t, s) ds = G1 (t, s) ds = w0 (t).
σ σ
Therefore,
Lw0 ≥ w0 . (1.34)
We may suppose that A has no fixed point on ∂Br2 ∩ (otherwise the proof is P
finished). From (1.33), (1.34), and Theorem 1.3.3, we conclude that the fixed point
index of A is
i(A, Br2 ∩ P , P ) = 0. (1.35)
Therefore, from (1.29) and (1.35) we have
i(A, (BR2 \ B̄r2 ) ∩ P , P ) = i(A, BR2 ∩ P , P ) − i(A, Br2 ∩ P , P ) = 1.
Then A has at least one fixed point u1 in (BR2 \ B̄r2 )∩P —that is, r2 < u1 < R2 . Let
v1 (t) = 0 G2 (t, s)g(s, u1 (s)) ds. Then (u1 , v1 ) ∈ P × P is a solution of (S )–(BC).
1
By (H5), we also deduce that v1 > 0. This completes the proof of Theorem 1.3.5.
conditions (H6) and (H9) and the following condition (H10), then problem (S )–(BC)
has at least two positive solutions (u1 (t), v1 (t)), (u2 (t), v2 (t)), t ∈ [0, 1]:
(H10) For each t ∈ [0, 1], f (t, u) and g(t, u) are nondecreasing with respect to u, and there
exists a constant N > 0 such that
1
N
f t, m0 g(s, N) ds < , ∀ t ∈ [0, 1],
0 m 0
where m0 = max{K̃1 , K̃2 }, K̃1 = maxs∈[0,1] J1 (s), K̃2 = maxs∈[0,1] J2 (s), and J1 and J2
are defined in Section 1.1.2.
Proof. From Section 1.1.2, we have 0 ≤ G1 (t, s) ≤ J1 (s) ≤ K̃1 and G2 (t, s) ≤
J2 (s) ≤ K̃2 for all (t, s) ∈ [0, 1] × [0, 1]. By using (H10), for any u ∈ ∂BN ∩ P , we
obtain
1 1
(Au)(t) ≤ G1 (t, s)f s, K̃2 g(τ , u(τ )) dτ ds
0 0
1 1
≤ J1 (s)f s, m0 g(τ , N) dτ ds, ∀ t ∈ [0, 1].
0 0
Then
1 1 1
N N K̃1
Au ≤ J1 (s)f s, m0 g(τ , N) dτ ds < J1 (s) ds ≤ ≤ N.
0 0 m0 0 m0
So, Au < u for all u ∈ ∂BN ∩ P .
By Theorem 1.3.1, we conclude that the fixed point index of the operator A is
i(A, BN ∩ P , P ) = 1. (1.36)
On the other hand, from (H6), (H9), and the proofs of Theorems 1.3.4 and 1.3.5,
we know that there exists a sufficiently large R1 > N and a sufficiently small r2 with
0 < r2 < N such that
i(A, BR1 ∩ P , P ) = 0, i(A, Br2 ∩ P , P ) = 0. (1.37)
From relations (1.36) and (1.37) we obtain
i(A, (BR1 \ B̄N ) ∩ P , P ) = i(A, BR1 ∩ P , P ) − i(A, BN ∩ P , P ) = −1,
i(A, (BN \ B̄r2 ) ∩ P , P ) = i(A, BN ∩ P , P ) − i(A, Br2 ∩ P , P ) = 1.

Then A has at least one fixed point u1 in (BR1 \ B̄N ) ∩ P and has at least one
fixed point u2 in (BN \ B̄r2 ) ∩ P . If in Theorem 1.3.5 the operator A has at least
one fixed point on ∂Br2 ∩ P , then by using the first relation from formula above, we
deduce that A has at least one fixed point u1 in (BR1 \ B̄N ) ∩ P and has at least one
fixed point u2 on ∂Br2 ∩ P . Therefore, problem (S )–(BC) has two distinct positive
solutions (u1 , v1 ), (u2 , v2 ) ∈ P × P , where vi (t) = 0 G2 (t, s)g(s, ui (s)) ds, i = 1, 2,

1
with ui (t) ≥ 0, vi (t) ≥ 0 for all t ∈ [0, 1] and ui > 0, vi > 0, i = 1, 2. The proof
of Theorem 1.3.6 is completed.
1.3.3 Examples
In this section, we shall present some examples which illustrate our results.
Example 1.3.1. Let f (t, u) = (at + 1)uθ and g(t, u) = (bt + 1)uζ for all t ∈ [0, 1]
and u ∈ [0, ∞), with θ > 1/2 and ζ > 2, and p = 1/2, q1 = 1/2, q2 = 2, a, b ≥ 0,
and σ = 1/4. Then assumptions (H6) and (H7) are satisfied; we have f̃∞ i = ∞,
g̃i∞ = ∞, f̃0s = 0, and g̃s0 = 0. Under assumptions (H1)–(H4), by Theorem 1.3.4,

we deduce that problem (S )–(BC) has at least one positive solution. Here, g is a
superlinear function in variable u, and f may be linear (θ = 1), superlinear (θ > 1),
or sublinear (θ < 1) in variable u.
Example 1.3.2. Let f (t, u) = u1/2 (2 + sin u) and g(t, u) = uρ (3 + cos u) for all
t ∈ [0, 1] and u ∈ [0, ∞), with ρ > 2, and p = 1/2, q1 = 1/2, q2 = 2, and σ = 1/4.
Then assumptions (H6) and (H7) are satisfied; we have f̃∞ i = 1, g̃i = ∞, f̃ s = 2, and
∞ 0
g̃0 = 0. Under assumptions (H1)–(H4), by Theorem 1.3.4, we deduce that problem
s
(S )–(BC) has at least one positive solution.

Example 1.3.3. Let f (t, u) = u1/2 and g(t, u) = u for all t ∈ [0, 1] and u ∈ [0, ∞),
with < 1, and α1 = 1/2 and α2 = 2. Then assumptions (H8) and (H9) are satisfied;
we have f̃∞s = 1, g̃s = 0, f̃ i = ∞, and g̃i = ∞. Under assumptions (H1)–(H4), by
∞ 0 0
Theorem 1.3.5, we deduce that problem (S )–(BC) has at least one positive solution.
Here, f and g are both sublinear.
Example 1.3.4. Let a(t) = 1, b(t) = 4, c(t) = 1, and d(t) = 1 for all t ∈ [0, 1],
α = 1, β = 3, γ = 1, δ = 1, α̃ = 3, β̃ = 2, γ̃ = 1, δ̃ = 3/2,
⎧
⎨ 0, t ∈ [0, 1/3),
2 0, t ∈ [0, 1/2),
H1 (t) = t , H2 (t) = K1 (t) =
⎩ 7/2, t ∈ [1/3, 2/3), 4/3, t ∈ [1/2, 1],
11/2, t ∈ [2/3, 1],
K2 (t) = t3 , f (t, x) = a(xα̂ + xβ̂ ), and g(t, x) = b(xγ̂ + xδ̂ ) for all t ∈ [0, 1], x ∈
1
[0, ∞), with a, b > 0, α̂ > 1, β̂ < 1, γ̂ > 2, and δ̂ < 1. Then 0 u(s) dH2 (s) =
1 1 1
2 u 3 + 2u 3 0 u(s) dK1 (s) = 0 u(s) dH1 (s) = 2
7 1 2 4 1
, 3u 2 , 0 su(s) ds, and
1 1 2
0 u(s) dK2 (s) =3 0 s u(s) ds.
We consider the second-order differential system

u (t) − 4u(t) + a(v α̂ (t) + v β̂ (t)) = 0, t ∈ (0, 1),
(S )
v (t) − v(t) + b(uγ̂ (t) + uδ̂ (t)) = 0, t ∈ (0, 1),
with the boundary conditions
⎧ 1
⎪
⎪ 7 1 2
⎨ u(0) − 3u (0) = 2 su(s) ds, u(1) + u (1) = u + 2u ,

0 2 3 3
⎪
⎪ 4 1 3 1
⎩ 3v(0) − 2v (0) = v , v(1) + v (1) = 3 s2 v(s) ds.
3 2 2 0
(BC )
By using the expressions for J1 and J2 given in Section 1.1.4, we obtain K̃1 =
maxs∈[0,1] J1 (s) ≈ 3.04247954 and K̃2 = maxs∈[0,1] J2 (s) ≈ 1.05002303. Then m0 =
max{K̃1 , K̃2 } = K̃1 . The functions f (t, u) and g(t, u) are nondecreasing with respect
to u for any t ∈ [0, 1], and for p = 1/2 and σ ∈ (0, 1/2) fixed, assumptions (H6) and
(H9) are satisfied; we have f̃∞i = ∞, g̃i = ∞, f̃ i = ∞, and g̃i = ∞.
∞ 0 0
We take N = 1, and then 0 g(s, 1) ds = 2b and f (t, 2bm0 ) = a[(2bm0 )α̂ +
1
β̂+1
(2bm0 )β̂ ]. If a[mα̂+1 α̂ β̂
0 (2b) + m0 (2b) ] < 1, assumption (H10) is satisfied. For
5/2 3/2
example, if α̂ = 3/2, β̂ = 1/2, b = 1/2, and a < 1/(m0 + m0 ) (e.g., a ≤ 0.04),
then the above inequality is satisfied. By Theorem 1.3.6, we deduce that problem
(S )–(BC ) has at least two positive solutions.
1.4 Systems with singular nonlinearities

In this section, we study the existence of positive solutions for problem (S )–(BC)
from Section 1.3, where the nonlinearities f and g do not possess any sublinear or
superlinear growth conditions and may be singular at t = 0 and/or t = 1.

We consider the system of nonlinear second-order ordinary differential equations

(a(t)u (t)) − b(t)u(t) + f (t, v(t)) = 0, 0 < t < 1,
(S )
(c(t)v (t)) − d(t)v(t) + g(t, u(t)) = 0, 0 < t < 1,
⎧ 1 1
⎪
⎪
⎨ αu(0) − βa(0)u (0) = u(s) dH1 (s), γ u(1) + δa(1)u (1) = u(s) dH2 (s),
0 1 0 1
⎪
⎪
⎩ α̃v(0) − β̃c(0)v (0) = v(s) dK1 (s), γ̃ v(1) + δ̃c(1)v (1) = v(s) dK2 (s),
0 0
(BC)
where the above integrals are Riemann–Stieltjes integrals, and the functions f and g
may be singular at t = 0 and/or t = 1.
By a positive solution of (S )–(BC), we mean a pair of functions (u, v) ∈ (C([0, 1],
R+ ) ∩C2 (0, 1))2 satisfying (S ) and (BC) with supt∈[0,1] u(t) > 0, supt∈[0,1] v(t)>0.
This problem is a generalization of the problem studied in Henderson and Luca (2013i),
where in (S ) we have a(t) = 1, c(t) = 1, b(t) = 0, and d(t) = 0 for all t ∈ (0, 1)
(denoted by (S̃ )), and α = α̃ = 1, β = β̃ = 0, γ = γ̃ = 1, δ = δ̃ = 0, H1 and
K1 are constant functions, and H2 and K2 are step functions. Problem (S̃ )–(BC) also
generalizes the problem investigated in Liu et al. (2007), where the authors studied the
existence of positive solutions for system (S̃ ) with the boundary conditions u(0) = 0,
u(1) = αu(η), v(0) = 0, and v(1) = αv(η) with η ∈ (0, 1), 0 < αη < 1.
We shall suppose that assumptions (A1)–(A5) from Section 1.1.2 hold, and we
shall use in our main results from this section Lemmas 1.1.1–1.1.7 from
Section 1.1.2.
1.4.2 Main results

We investigate the existence of positive solutions for problem (S )–(BC) under various
assumptions on singular functions f and g.
We present the basic assumptions that we shall use in the sequel:
(L1) The functions a, c ∈ C1 ([0, 1], (0, ∞)) and b, d ∈ C([0, 1], [0, ∞)).
(L2) α, β, γ , δ, α̃, β̃, γ̃ , δ̃ ∈ [0, ∞) with α + β > 0, γ + δ > 0, α̃ + β̃ > 0, and γ̃ + δ̃ > 0; if
(L3) H1 , H2 , K1 , K2 : [0, 1] → R are nondecreasing functions.
1 1 1
(L4) τ1 − 0 φ(s) dH1 (s) > 0, τ1 − 0 ψ(s) dH2 (s) > 0, τ2 − 0 φ̃(s) dK1 (s) > 0, τ2 −
1
0 ψ̃(s) dK2 (s) > 0, 1 > 0, and 2 > 0, where τ1 , τ2 , 1 , and 2 are defined in
Section 1.1.2.
(L5) The functions f , g ∈ C((0, 1) × R+ , R+ ), and there exist pi ∈ C((0, 1), R+ ) and qi ∈
1
C(R+ , R+ ), i = 1, 2, with 0 < 0 pi (t) dt < ∞, i = 1, 2, q1 (0) = 0, q2 (0) = 0 such that
f (t, x) ≤ p1 (t)q1 (x), g(t, x) ≤ p2 (t)q2 (x), ∀ t ∈ (0, 1), x ∈ R+ .
The pair of functions (u, v) ∈ (C([0, 1]) ∩ C2 (0, 1))2 is a solution for our problem
(S )–(BC)if and only if (u, v) ∈ (C([0, 1]))2 is a solution for the nonlinear integral
equations
⎧ 1 1
⎪
⎪
⎨ u(t) =
⎪ G1 (t, s)f s, G2 (s, τ )g(τ , u(τ )) dτ ds, t ∈ [0, 1],
0 0
⎪
⎪
⎪
1
⎩ v(t) = G2 (t, s)g(s, u(s)) ds, t ∈ [0, 1].
0
We consider again the Banach space X = C([0, 1]) with the supremum norm ·
and the cone P ⊂ X by P = {u ∈ X, u(t) ≥ 0, ∀ t ∈ [0, 1]}.
We also define the operator D: P → X by
1 1
D(u)(t) = G1 (t, s)f s, G2 (s, τ )g(τ , u(τ )) dτ ds.
0 0
Lemma 1.4.1. Assume that (L1)–(L5) hold. Then D: P → P is completely

continuous.
Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
estado y causas en que la
pobreza se conserua y cria, y avn
augmenta como es en la vida que
por remedio escogeis. En verdad
que el que viuiendo en
seruidunbre le pareçe huyr la
pobreza no puedo sino afirmar
que grandemente a sí mesmo se
engaña, pues sienpre veo al tal
menesteroso y miserable y en
neçesidad de pedir, y que le den.
Miçilo.—Yo quiero, gallo,
responder por mí y por aquellos
que la neçesidad los trae a este
vibir, con los quales comunicando
muchas vezes con mucho gusto y
plazer me solian dezir los
fundamentos y razones con que
apoyauan y defendian su opinion,
que a muchos oy dezir que
seguian aquella vida del palaçio
porque a lo menos en ella no se
temia la pobreza, pues que
conforme a la costumbre de otros
muchos honbres trabajauan auer
su cotidiano mantenimiento de su
industria y natural soliçitud,
porque ya venidos a la vejez,
quando las fuerças faltan por
flaqueza o enfermedad, esperan
tener alli en qué se poder
mantener.
Gallo.—Pues veamos agora si
esos dizen la verdad. Mas antes
me pareçe que con mucho mayor
trabajo ganan esos tales el
mantenimiento que quantos en el
mundo son. Porque lo que alli se
gana hase de alcançar con
ruegos; lo qual es más caro que
todo el trabajo, sudor y preçio
conque en el mundo se pueda
comprar. Quanto más que avn
quieren los señores que se
trabaje y se sude el salario; y de
cada dia se les augmentan dos
mil negoçios y ocupaçiones[1112]
para el cunplimiento de las[1113]
quales no basta al honbre la
natural salud y buena dispusiçion
para los acabar[1114]; por lo qual
es neçesario venir a enfermedad
y flaqueza y cuando los
señores[1115] sienten a sus
criados que por su indispusiçion
no los pueden seruir y abastar a
sus negoçios los despiden de su
seruiçio, casa y familia[1116]. De
manera que claramente ves ser
engañados por esa razon, pues
les acarreó el palaçio más
miseria, enfermedad y trabajo,
lleuauan[1117] quando a él fueron.
Miçilo.—Pues dime agora tú
gallo; pues no te pareçe que los
miseros como yo sin culpa
podrian elegir y seguir aquella
vida por gozar (siquiera) de aquel
deleyte y contentamiento que da
vibir en aquellas anchas y
espaçiosas casas, habitaçion y
morada de los dioses y de sola
persona real? enhastiados y
mohinos destas nuestras
miserables y ahumadas choças
que más son pozilgas de puercos
que casas y habitaçion de
honbres; y ansi mouidos[1118]
someternos a su seruiçio, avnque
no se goze alli de más que de la
vista de aquellos marauillosos
tesoros que estan en aquellos
suntuosos aparadores de oro[1119]
y de plata, bagillas y tapetes y
otras admirables riquezas que
entretienen al honbre con sola la
vista en deleyte y contentamiento,
y avn comiendo y beuiendo en
ellos, casi en esperança de los
comer y tragar?
Gallo.—Esto es, Miçilo, lo
verdadero que primero se auia de
dezir, que es causa prinçipal que
mueue a los semejantes honbres
a trocar su libertad por
seruidumbre, que es la cobdiçia y
ambiçion de solo gustar y ver las
cosas profanas, demasiadas y
superfluas; y no el ir a vuscar
(como primero deçiades) lo
neçesario y conueniente a vuestra
miseria[1120], pues eso mejor se
halla[1121] en vuestras choças y
pobres[1122] casas aunque
vaçias[1123] de tesoro, pero ricas
por libertad, y esas esperanças
que dezis que prometen los
señores con la conuersaçion de
su generosidad, digo que son
esperanças vanas, y de
semejante condiçion que las
promesas con que el amante
mançebo entretiene a su amiga,
que nunca le falta vna esperança
que la dar de algun suçeso, o
herençia que le ha de venir,
porque la vanidad de su amor, no
piensa poderla conseruar sino
con la vana esperança de que
algun tienpo[1124] ha de tener
grandes tesoros que la dar, y ansi
ambos dos confiados de aquella
vanidad llegan a la vejez
mantenidos de solo el deleyte que
aquella vana esperança les dio,
abiertas las bocas hasta el morir,
y se tienen estos por muy
satisfechos porque gozaron de vn
contentamiento que les entretubo
el viuir, avnque con trabajo y
miseria. Desta manera se an los
que viben en el palaçio, y avn es
de mejor condiçion la esperança
destos miseros amantes que la de
que se sustentan los que viuen de
salario y merçed, porque aquellos
permaneçen en su señorio y
libertad, y estos no. Son como los
compañeros de Ulixes, que
transformados por Cyrçes en
puercos rebolcandose en el suçio
çieno estimauan en más gozar de
aquel presente deleyte y
miserable contentamiento que ser
bueltos a su humano natural.
Miçilo.—¿Y no te pareçe, gallo,
que es gran feliçidad y cosa de
gran[1125] estima y valor tener a la
contina comunicaçion y
familiaridad con ylustres,
generosos prinçipes y señores,
aunque del palaçio no se sacasse
otro bien ni otro prouecho, ni otro
interes?
Gallo.—Ha, ha, ha.
Miçilo.—¿Y de qué te ries, gallo?
Gallo.—Porque nunca oí cosa
más digna de reyr. Porque yo no
ternia por cosa más vana que
comunicar y asistir al Rey más
prinçipal que en el mundo ay, si
otro interes no se sacasse de alli:
¿pues no me sería igual trabajo
en la vida que auer de guardar
tanto tienpo aquel respeto, aquel
sosiego y asiento, miramiento y
seueridad que se deue tener ante
la presençia y acatamiento de la
gran magestad del Rey? Agora,
pues que emos tratado de las
causas que les traygan a estos a
vibir en tal estado de
seruidunbre [1126], vengamos
agora a tratar los trabajos,
afrentas y injurias que padeçen
para ser por los señores elegidos
en su seruiçio, y para ser
preferidos a otros que estan
oppuestos con el mesmo deseo al
mesmo salario; y tanbien veremos
lo que padeçen en el proçeso de
aquella miserable vida, y al[1127]
fin en que acaban[1128]. Quanto a
lo primero es neçesario que si has
de entrar a viuir con algun señor,
que vn dia y otro vayas y vengas
con gran continuaçion su casa, y
que nunca te apartes de sus
vmbrales y puerta, aunque te
tengan por enojoso y importuno, y
aunque con el rostro y con el
dedo te lo den a ententer, y
aunque te den con la puerta en
los ojos no te has de enojar, mas
antes has de disimular, y comprar
con dineros al portero la memoria
de tu[1129] nonbre, y que al llegar
a la puerta no le seas importuno.
Demas desto es nesçesario que
te vistas de nueuo con más
sumptuosidad y costa que lo
sufren tus fuerças conforme a la
magestad[1130] del señor que
pretendes[1131] seruir. Para lo
qual conuiene que, o vendas tu
hazienda[1132], o te empeñes para
delante pagar del salario[1133] si al
presente no tienes qué vender, y
con esto has de vestirte del color
y corte que sepas que más vsas o
le aplaze al señor[1134] porque en
cosa ninguna no discrepes ni
passes su voluntad, y tanbien has
de mirar que le acompañes con
gran cordura do quiera que fuere,
y que mires si has de yr adelante,
o detrás: en que lugar, o mano. Si
has de yr entre los prinçipales, o
con la trulla y comunidad de
familia por hazer pompa y aparato
de gente; y con todo esto has de
sufrir con paçiençia aunque
passen muchos dias sin que tu
amo te quiera mirar a la cara, ni
echarte de ver, y si alguna vez
fueres tan dichoso que te quisiere
mirar, si te llamare y te dixere
qualquiera cosa que él quisiere, o
se le viniere a la boca, entonçes
verás te cubrir de vn gran sudor, y
tomarte vna gran congoja, que se
te çiegan los ojos de vna súbita
turbaçion, prinçipalmente quando
ves los que estan al rededor que
se ryen viendo tu perplegidad y
que mudo no sabes qué dezir. En
tanta manera que a vna cosa que
acaso te pregunta respondes vn
gran disparate por verte cortado,
lleno de empacho[1135]. Y a este
embaraço de naturaleza llaman
los virtuosos que delante estan
verguença, y los desuergonçados
lo llaman temor[1136] y los
maliçiosos dizen que es neçedad
y poca esperençia; y tú,
miserable, quando has salido tan
mal desta primera conuersaçion
de tu señor quedas tan mohino y
acobardado que de descontento
te aborreçes, y despues de auerte
fatigado muchos dias y auer
passado muchas noches sin
sueño con cuydado de asentar y
salir con tu intinçion y quando ya
has padeçido mil tormentos y
aflicçiones, injurias y afrentas, y
no por alcançar vn reyno en
posesion, o vna çiudad, sino
solamente vn pobre salario de
çinco mil marauedis, ya que algun
buen hado te faboreçio, al cabo
de muchos dias vienen a
informarse de ti y de tu
habilidad[1137], y esta esperiençia
que de tu persona[1138] se haze
no pienses que le es poca
vfaneza y presunçion al[1139]
señor, porque le es gran gloria
quererse seruir[1140] de honbres
cuerdos y habiles[1141] para
qualquiera cosa que se les
encomiende; y avn te has de
aparejar que han de hazer
examen y informaçion de tu vida y
costunbres. ¡O desuenturado de
ti! que congojas te toman quando
piensas si por maliçia de vn ruyn
vezino que quiera informar de ti
vna ruyn cosa, o que quando
moço passó por ti alguna liuiana
flaqueza, y por no te ver
auentajado, por tener enuidia de
tus padres, o linaje informa mal
de ti, por lo qual estás en ventura,
de ser desechado y excluido; y
tanbien como acaso tengas algun
opositor que pretenda lo que tú y
te contradiga, es neçesario que
con toda su diligencia rodee todas
las cabas y muros por donde
pueda contraminar y abatir tu
fortaleza.
Este tal ha de examinarte la vida
y descubrirte lo que esté muy
oculto y enterrado por la
antigüedad del tienpo[1142] y
sabida alguna falta, o miseria, ha
de procurar con toda su industria
porque el Señor lo sepa. Que
tengo por mayor el daño que
resulta en tu persona saber el
señor tu falta verdadera, o
impuesta, que no el prouecho que
podra resultar de seruirse de ti
todos los dias de su vida.
Considera ¡o Miçilo! al pobre ya
viejo y barbado traerle en examen
su cordura, su linaje, costunbres y
ser; de lo que ha estudiado, qué
sabe, qué ha aprendido; y si
estaua en opinion de sabio hasta
agora, y con ello cunplia, agora
ha de mostrar lo que tiene
verdadero. Agora, pues,
pongamos que todo te suçeda
bien y conforme a tu voluntad.
Mostraste tu discreçion y
habilidad[1143] y tus amigos,
vezinos y parientes todos te
faboreçieron y informaron de ti
bien. El señor te reçibio; la muger
te açepto; y al mayordomo
despensero y ofiçiales y a toda la
casa plugo con tu venida. En fin
vençiste. ¡O bienauenturado
vençedor[1144] de vna gran
vitoria!; mereçes ser coronado
como a trihunfador de vna antigua
Olinpia[1145], o que por ti se ganó
el reyno de Napoles o pusiste
sobre el muro la vandera en la
Goleta. Razon es que reçibas el
premio y corona igual á tus
méritos, trabajos y fatigas. Que de
aqui adelante vibas descansado,
comas y bebas sin trabajo de la
abundançia del señor, y como
suelen dezir, de oy más duermas
a pierna tendida. Mas ante todo
esto es al reues. Porque de oy
más no has de sosegar a comer
ni a beber. No te ha de vagar,
dormir ni pensar vn momento con
oçio en tus proprias miserias[1146]
y neçesidades; porque sienpre
has de asistir a tu señor, a tu
señora, hijos y familia. Sienpre
despierto, sienpre con cuydado,
sienpre soliçito de agradar más a
tu señor, y quando todo esto
huuieres hecho con gran
cuydado, trabajo y soliçitud te
podrá dezir tu señor que heziste
lo que eras obligado, que para
esto te cogio por su salario y
merçed, porque si mal siruieras te
despidiera y no te pagara, porque
él no te cogio para holgar. En fin
mil cuydados, trabajos y
pasiones, desgraçias y mohinas
te suçederan de cada dia en esta
vida de palaçio; las quales no
solamente no podra sufrir vn libre
y generoso coraçon exerçitado en
vna[1147] virtuosa ocupaçion, o
estudio de buenas letras, pero
aun no es de sufrir de alguno que
por pereza, cobdiçia y ambiçion
desee comunicar aquellas
grandeças y sumptuosidades
agenas que de si no le dan algun
otro interes más que[1148] verlas
con admiraçion sin poderlas
poseer. Agora quiero que
consideres la manera que tienen
estos señores para señalar el
salario que te han de dar en cada
vn año por tu seruiçio. El procura
que sea a tienpo y a coyuntura y
con palabras y maneras que sean
tan poco que si puede casi le
siruas de valde, y pasa ansi que
ya despues de algunos dias que
te tiene asegurado y que a todos
tus parientes y amigos y a todo el
pueblo has dado a entender que
le sirues ya, quando ya siente que
te tiene metido en la red y
muestras estar contento y hufano
y que preçias de le seruir, vn dia
señalado, despues de comer
hazete llamar delante de[1149] su
muger y de algunos amigos
iguales a él en edad, auariçia y
condiçion, y estando sentado en
su[1150] silla como en teatro, o
tribunal, limpiandose con vna paja
los dientes hablando con gran
grauedad y seueridad te
comiença a dezir. Bien has
entendido, amigo mio, la buena
voluntad que emos tenido a tu
persona, pues teniendote respeto
te preferimos en nuestra
compañia y seruiçio a otros
muchos que se nos ofreçieron y
pudieramos reçebir. Desto, pues,
has visto por esperiençia la
verdad no es menester agora
referirlo aqui, y ansi por el
semejante tienes visto el
tratamiento, orden y ventajas que
en estos dias has tenido en
nuestra casa y familiaridad.
Agora, pues, resta que tengas
cuenta con nuestra llaneza, poco
fausto, que conforme a la pobreza
de nuestra renta viuimos
recogidos, humildes como
çiudadanos en ordinario comun.
De la mesma manera querria que
subjetasses el entendimiento a
viuir con la mesma humildad, y te
contentasses con aquello poco
que por ti podemos hazer del
salario comun[1151], teniendo
antes respeto al contentamiento
que tu persona terna de seruirme
a mí, por[1152] nuestra buena
condiçion, trato y familiaridad; y
tambien con las merçedes,
prouechos y fabores que andando
el tienpo te podemos hazer. Pero
razon es que se te señale alguna
cantidad de salario y merçed, y
quiero que sea lo que te pareçiere
a ti. Di lo que te pareçera, porque
por poco no te querria desgraçiar.
Esto todo que tu señor te ha dicho
te pareçe tan gran llaneza y fabor
que de valde estás por le seruir, y
ansi enmudeçes vista su
liberalidad; y porque no ve que no
quieres dezir tu pareçer soys
conçertados que lo mande vno de
aquellos que estan alli viejos,
auarientos, semejantes y criados
de la moçedad con él. Luego el
terçero te comiença a encareçer
la buena fortuna que has auido en
alcançar a seruir tan valeroso
señor. El qual por sus meritos y
generosidad todos quantos en la
çiudad ay le desean seruir y tú te
puedes tener por glorioso, pues
todos quedan enuidiosos[1153]
deseando tu mesmo bien;
avnque[1154] los fabores y
merçedes que te puede cada dia
hazer son bastantes para pagar
qualquiera seruiçio sin alguna
comparaçion, porque parezca que
so color y titulo del salario te
pueda[1155] mandar, reçibe agora
çinco mil maravedis en cada vn
año con tu raçion; y no hagas
caudal desto que en señal de
açeptarte por criado te lo da para
vnas calças y vn jubon, con
protestaçion que no parará aqui,
porque más te reçibe a titulo de
merçed, debajo del qual te espera
pagar; y tú confuso sin poder
hablar lo dexas ansi, arrepentido
mil vezes de auer venido a le
seruir, pues pensaste a trueque
de tu liberdad remediar con vn
razonable salario toda tu pobreza
y neçesidades con las quales te
quedas como hasta aqui, y avn te
ves en peligro que te salgan más.
Sy dizes que te den más, no te
aprouechará y dezirte han que
tienes ojo a solo el interes y que
no tienes confiança ni respeto al
señor; y avnque ves claro tu daño
no te atreues[1156] despedir,
porque todos diran que no tienes
sosiego ni eres para seruir vn
señor ni para le sufrir; y si dixeres
el poco salario que te daua,
injuriaste, porque diran que no
tenias meritos para más. Mira
batalla tan miserable y tan infeliz.
¿Que harás? Neçesitaste a mayor
neçesidad; pues por fuerça has
de seruir confiado solo de la vana
esperança de merçed, y la mayor
es la que piensa la que te haze en
se seruir de ti, porque todos estos
señores tienen por el prinçipal
articulo de su fe, que los hizo tan
valerosos su naturaleza, tan altos,
de tanta manifiçençia y
generosidad que el soberano
poder afirman tenersele[1157]
vsurpado. Es tanta su presunçion
que les paraece que para solos
ellos y para sus hijos y
desçendientes es poco lo que en
el mundo ay, y que todos los otros
honbres que en el mundo viben
son estiercol, y que les basta solo
pan que tengan qué comer, y el
sol que los quiera alunbrar, y la
tierra que los quiera tener sobre
sí; y teniendo ellos diez y
veynte[1158] cuentos de renta y
más, no les pareçe vn marauedi:
y si hablan de vn clerigo que tiene
vn beneffiçio que le renta çien
ducados, o mil, santiguanse con
admiraçion: y preguntan a quien
se lo dize si aquel beneffiçio tiene
pie de altar; qué puede valer; y
muy de veras tienen por opinion
que para ellos solos hizo
naturaleza el feysan, el francolin,
el abutarda, gallina y perdiz y
todas las otras aues preçiadas, y
tienen muy por çierto que todo
hombre es indigno de lo comer.
Es, en conclusion, tanta su[1159]
soberuia y ambiçion destos que
tienen por muy aueriguado que
todo honbre les deue a ellos
salario por quererse dellos seruir;
ya que has visto como eligen los
hombres a su proposito, oye
agora cómo se han contigo en el
discurso de tu seruiçio. Todas sus
promesas verás al reues, porque
luego se van hartando y
enhadando de ti, y te van
mostrando con su desgraçia y
desabrimiento que no te quieren
ver, y procuran dartelo a entender
en el mirar y hablar y en todo el
tratamiento de tu persona. Dizen
que veniste tarde al palaçio y que
no sabes seruir y que no ay otro
hombre del palaçio sino el que
vino a él de su niñez. Si tiene la
mujer o hija moça y hermosa, y tú
eres moço y gentil hombre tiene
de ti zelos, y vibe sobre auiso
recatandose de ti: mirate a las
manos, a los ojos, a los pies.
Mandan al mayordomo que te
diga vn dia que no entres en la
sala y comunicaçion del señor, y
otro dia te dize que ya no comas
en la mesa de arriba, que te bajes
abajo al tinelo a comer, y si
porfias por no te injuriar mandan
al paje que no te dé silla en que te
asientes, y tu tragas destas
injurias dos mil por no dar al vulgo
mala opinion de ti. ¡Quanta
mohina y pesadumbre reçibes en
verte ansi tratar! y ves la nobleza
de tu libertad trocada por vn vil
salario y merçed. Verte llamar
cada hora criado y sieruo de tu
señor. ¿Qué sentira tu alma
quando te vieres tratar como a
más vil esclauo que dineros
costó? Que criado y sieruo te han
de llamar; y no te puedes
consolar con otra cosa sino con
que no naçiste esclauo, y que
cada dia te puedes libertar si
quisieres, sino que no lo osas
hazer porque ya elegiste por vida
el seruir, y quando ya el mundo y
tu mal hado te ven ya desabrido y
medio desesperado, o por
manera de piedad, o por te
entretener y prendarte para mayor
dolor, date vn çevo muy delicado,
vna dieta cordial como a honbre
que está para morir, y suçede que
se van los señores vn dia a holgar
a vna huerta, o romeria, mandan
aparejar la litera en que vaya la
señora y auisan a toda la gente
que esté a punto, que han todos
de caualgar; y quando está a
cauallo el señor y la señora está
en la litera, mandate la señora a
gran priesa llamar. ¿Que sentira
tu alma quando llega el paje con
aquel fabor? Estás en tu cauallo
enjaezado a toda gallardia y
cortesania, y luego partes con vna
braua furia por ver tu señora qué
te quiere mandar[1160]. Y ella
haziendose toda pedaços de
delicadeça y magestad te
comiença a dezir: Miçilo, ven acá;
mira que me hagas vna graçia, vn
soberano seruiçio y plazer. Haslo
de hazer con buena voluntad,
porque tengo entendido de tu
buena diligençia y buena
inclinaçion que a ti solo puedo
encomendar vna cosa tan amada
de mi[1161], y de ti solo se puede
fiar. Bien has visto quanto yo amo
a la mi armenica perrica graçiosa;
está la miserable preñada y muy
çercana al parto, por lo qual no
podre sufrir que ella se quede
acá. No la oso fiar[1162] destos
mal comedidos criados que avn
de mi persona no tienen cuydado,
quanto menos se presume que
ternan de la perrilla, avnque
saben que la amo como a mí.
Ruegote mucho que la traigas en
tus manos delante de ti con el
mayor sosiego que el cauallo
pudieres lleuar, porque la cuytada
no reçiba algun daño en su
preñez; y luego el buen Miçilo
reçibe la perrilla encomendada a
su cargo de lleuar, porque casi
lloraua su señora por se la
encomendar, que nunca a las
tales se les ofreçe fabor que suba
de aqui. ¡Qué cosa tan de reyr
será ver vn escudero gallardo,
graçioso, o a vn honbre honrrado
de barba larga y grauedad lleuar
por medio de la çiudad vna
perrica miserable delante de sí,
que le ha de mear y ensuçiar sin
echarlo él de ver! y con todo esto
quando se apean y la señora
demanda su armenica no le
faltará alguna liuiana desgraçia
que te poner por no te agradeçer
el trabajo y afrenta que por ella
pasaste. Dime agora, Miçilo,
¿quál hombre ay en el mundo por
desuenturado y miserable que
sea, que por ningun interes de
riqueza ni tesoro que se le
prometa, ni por gozar de grandes
deleytes que a su imaginaçion se
le antojen auer en la vida del
palaçio, trueque la libertad, bien
tan nunca bastantemente
estimado de los sabios, que dizen
que no ay tesoro con que se
pueda comparar; y viban en estos
trabajos, vanidades, vurlerias y
verdaderas niñerias del mundo en
seruidumbre y captiuerio
miserable? ¡Quál será, si de seso
totalmente no está pribado, y mira
sienpre con ojos de alinde las
cosas, con que todas se las
hazen muy mayores sin
comparaçion? ¿Quién es aquel
que teniendo algun offiçio, o arte
mecanica, avnque sea de vn
pobre çapatero como tú, que no
quiera más con su natural y
propria libertad con que naçio ser
señor y quitar y poner en su casa
conforme a su voluntad, dormir,
comer, trabajar y holgar quando
querra, antes que a voluntad
agena viuir y obedeçer?
Miçilo.—Por çierto, gallo,
conuençido me tienes a tu opinion
por la efficaçia de tu persuadir, y
ansi digo de hoy más que quiero
más vibir en mi pobreza con
libertad que en los trabajos y
miserias del ageno seruiçio viuir
por merçed. Pero pareçe que
aquellos solos seran de escusar,
a los quales la naturaleza puso ya
en edad razonable y no les dio
offiçio en que se ocupar para se
mantener. Estos tales no pareçe
que seran dignos de reprehension
si por no padeçer pobreza y
miseria quieren seruir.
Gallo.—Miçilo, engañaste;
porque esos muchos más son
dignos de reprehension, pues
naturaleza dio a los honbres
muchas artes y offiçios en que se
puedan ocupar, y a ninguno dexó
naturaleza sin habilidad para los
poder aprender; y por su oçio,
negligençia y viçio quedan torpes
y neçios y indignos de gozar del
tesoro inestimable de la libertad;
del qual creo que naturaleza en
pena de su negligençia los privó;
y ansi mereçen ser con vn garrote
vivamente castigados como
menospreçiadores del soberano
bien. Pues mira agora, Miçilo,
sobre todo, el fin que los tales
han. Que quando han consumido
y empleado en esta suez y vil
trato la flor de su edad, ya que
estan casi en la vejez, quando se
les ha de dar algun galardon,
quando pareçe que han de
descansar, que tienen ya los
miembros por el seruiçio contino
inhabiles para el trabajo; quando
tienen obligados a sus señores a
alguna merçed, no les falta vna

Ebook Boundary Value Problems For Systems of Differential Difference and Fractional Equations Positive Solutions PDF Full Chapter PDF

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Ebook Boundary Value Problems For Systems of Differential Difference and Fractional Equations Positive Solutions PDF Full Chapter PDF

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Boundary value problems for systems

of differential, difference and fractional

Johnny Henderson and Rodica Luca

AMSTERDAM • BOSTON • HEIDELBERG • LONDON • NEW YORK • OXFORD

Copyright © 2016 J. Henderson and Rodica L. Tudorache. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015939629

For information on all Elsevier publications

In recent decades, nonlocal boundary value problems for ordinary differential

Johnny Henderson is a distinguished professor of Mathematics at the Baylor Univer-

1.1 Existence of positive solutions for systems

1.1.1 Presentation of the problem

Then, A has a fixed point in C ∩ ( 2 \ 1 ).

1.1.2 Auxiliary results

for all (t, s) ∈ [0, 1] × [0, 1], with

(b) For every σ ∈ (0, 1/2) we have

min G1 (t, s) ≥ ν1 J1 (s) ≥ ν1 G1 (t , s), ∀ t , s ∈ [0, 1],

where ν1 is given in Lemma 1.1.4.

(c(t)v (t)) − d(t)v(t) + h(t) = 0, 0 < t < 1, (1.8)

1.1.3 Main existence results

From assumption (I5), there exists σ ∈ (0, 1/2) such that t1 , t2 ∈ (σ , 1 − σ ). We

inf Q1 (u, v)(t) ≥ ν1 sup Q1 (u, v)(t ) = ν1 Q1 (u, v) ,

positive solution (u(t), v(t)), t ∈ [0, 1] for (S)–(BC).

exists a positive solution (u(t), v(t)), t ∈ [0, 1] for (S)–(BC).

positive solution (u(t), v(t)), t ∈ [0, 1] for (S)–(BC).

Q(u, v) Y = Q1 (u, v) + Q2 (u, v) ≤ α̃1 (u, v)

u(t) + v(t) ≥ inf (u(t) + v(t)) ≥ ν (u, v) Y = νR2 ≥ R̄2

So, Q1 (u, v) ≥ Q1 (u, v)(σ ) ≥ α1 (u, v) Y .

≥ μν2 (gi∞ − ε)Cν (u, v) Y ≥ α2 (u, v) Y.

So, Q2 (u, v) ≥ Q2 (u, v)(σ ) ≥ α2 (u, v) Y.

In what follows, for f0i , gi0 , f∞ ∞ ∈ (0, ∞) and numbers α1 , α2 ≥ 0 and

(u(t), v(t)), t ∈ [0, 1] for (S)–(BC).

exists a positive solution (u(t), v(t)), t ∈ [0, 1] for (S)–(BC).

α1 α2 ε α̃1 α̃2

= λνν1 (f0i − ε)A (u, v) Y ≥ α1 (u, v) Y.

Therefore, Q1 (u, v) ≥ Q1 (u, v)(σ ) ≥ α1

We consider R4 = max{2R3 , R̄4 }, and we denote 4 = {(u, v) ∈ Y, (u, v) Y < R4 }.

and so Q1 (u, v) ≤ α̃1 (u, v) Y .

with the boundary conditions

We obtain ψ(t) = 7 4e e2t+5 and φ(t) = 1+3 e4−4t 21 e4 −5

= (42 e4 − 28 e10/3 − 49 e8/3 − 35 e4/3 − 20 e2/3 − 10)/(8 e2 )≈ 10.51047404 > 0,

= 7(1 + 3 e8/3 )/(8 e4/3 ) + 2(1 + 3 e4/3 )/(4 e2/3 ) ≈ 13.36733534,

The functions g2 and J2 are given by

For σ = 1/4, we have ν = ν1 = (1 + 3 e) e3/2 /(1 + 3 e4 ) and ν2 = (5 e1/2 − 1)

et [p1 (u + v) + 1](u + v)(q1 + sin v)

e−t [p2 (u + v) + 1](u + v)(q2 + cos u)

p1 (q1 − 1) (1 + 3 e4 )2 eB p2 (q2 − 1) (1 + 3 e4 )(5 e2 − 1)D

1.2 Nonexistence of positive solutions

1.2.1 Main nonexistence results

f (t, u, v) ≤ M1 (u + v), ∀ u, v ≥ 0, u + v ∈ [0, r1 ], t ∈ [0, 1],

f (t, u, v) ≤ M1 (u + v), ∀ u, v ≥ 0, u + v ∈ [r1 , ∞), t ∈ [0, 1].

g(t, u, v) ≤ M2 (u + v), ∀ u, v ≥ 0, u + v ∈ [r2 , ∞), t ∈ [0, 1].

i > 0 and f (t, u, v) > 0 for all

f (t, u, v) ≥ m1 (u + v),

and so (u, v) Y = u + v ≥ u > (u, v) Y , which is a contradiction. Therefore,

g(t, u, v) ≥ m2 (u + v), ∀ u, v ≥ 0, u + v ∈ [0, r4 ], t ∈ [σ , 1 − σ ],

g(t, u, v) ≥ m2 (u + v),

and so (u, v) Y = u + v ≥ v > (u, v) Y , which is a contradiction. Therefore,

> λ̂0 m1 νν1 A (u, v) Y + μ̂0 m2 νν2 C (u, v) Y

g(t, u, v) [p2 (u + v) + 1](q2 + cos u)

Then we obtain λ0 = 2M11 B ≈ 0.00019016 and μ0 = 2M12 D ≈ 0.00152855. There-

1.3 Existence and multiplicity of positive solutions

1.3.1 Presentation of the problem

G1 (t, s) ds, t ∈ [0, 1] we have w0 ∈ P and w0 = 0. Besides, for