Characterization of constant sign Green's function for a two-point boundary-value problem by means of spectral theory

Abstract

This article is devoted to the study of the parameter’s set where the Green’s function related to a general linear nth-order operator, depending on a real parameter, Tn[M], coupled with many different two point boundary value conditions, is of constant sign. This constant sign is equivalent to the strongly inverse positive (negative) character of the related operator on suitable spaces related to the boundary conditions. This characterization is based on spectral theory, in fact the extremes of the obtained interval are given by suitable eigenvalues of the differential operator with different boundary conditions. Also, we obtain a characterization of the strongly inverse positive (negative) character on some sets, where non homogeneous boundary conditions are considered. To show the applicability of the results, we give some examples. Note that this method avoids the explicit calculation of the related Green’s function.