Marshall University Math Colloquium
February 19, 2004
Basant Karna
Baylor University
Abstract
A brief history will be discussed concerning boundary value problems for ordinary differential equations. This will include circumstances under which eigenvalue problems arise, significance of smallest eigenvalues, and comparisons of smallest eigenvalues for comparable eigenvalue problems for second order boundary value problems. The technique, that will be used, will include positive cone theory and the signs of the Green’s functions. Some higher even order results will also be discussed.