A two-parameter boundary problem for second order differential system

Summary This paper is concerned with second order differential systems involving two parameters with boundary conditions specified at three points. In particular, we consider the system y' = k(x, λ, μ)z, z' = -g(x, λ, μ)y, where k and g are real-valued junctions defined on X: a ≤ x ≤ c, L: L₁ < λ < L₂, and M: M₁ < μ < M₂. This system is studied together with the boundary conditions α(λ, μ)y(a) - β(λ, μ)z(a)=0, γ(λ, μ)y(b) - δ(λ, μ)z(b)=0, ε₁(μ)y(b) - φ₁(μ)z(b)=ε₂(μ)y(c) - φ₂(μ)z(c), where α, β, δ, γ, ε_i, φ_i, i=1, 2, are continuous functions of the parameters. This work establishes the existence of eigenvalue pairs for the boundary problem and the oscillatory behavior of the associated solutions. These results complement those previously obtained by the authors and B. D. Sleeman, where boundary conditions of the ? Sturm-Liouville ? type were studied. Entrata in Redazione il 5 dicembre 1977. The research for this paper was supported by a University College Reasearch Grant, University of Alabama in Birmingham.