In this paper we study the uniqueness of positive solutions as well as the non existence of sign changing solutions for Dirichlet problems of the form $$\eqalign{\Delta u + g(\lambda,\ u) &= 0\quad\rm in\ \Omega,\cr u &= 0\quad\rm on\ \partial\Omega,}$$where $\Delta$ is the Laplace operator, $\Omega$ is a region in $\IR\sp{N}$, and $\lambda>0$ is a real parameter. For the particular function $g(\lambda,\ u)=\vert u\vert\sp{p}u+\lambda$, where $p={4\over N-2}$, and $\Omega$ is the unit ball in $\IR\sp{N}$ for $N\ge3$, we show that there are no sign changing solutions for small $\lambda$ and also we show that there are no large sign changing solutions for $\lambda$ in a compact set. We also prove uniqueness of positive solutions for $\lambda$ large when $g(\lambda,\ u)=\lambda f(u)$, where f is an increasing, sublinear, concave function with f(0) $<$ 0, and the exterior boundary of $\Omega$ is convex. In establishing our results we use a number of methods from non-linear functional analysis such as rescaling arguments, methods of order, estimation near the boundary, and moving plane arguments.

We study the existence, multiplicity, and nodal structure of solutions to a superlinear elliptic boundary value problem. Under specific hypotheses on the superlinearity, we show that there exist at least three nontrivial solutions. A pair of solutions are of one sign (positive and negative respectively), and the third solution changes sign exactly once. Our technique is variational, i.e., we study the critical points of the associated action functional to find solutions. First, we define a codimension 1 submanifold of a Sobolev space . This submanifold contains all weak solutions to our problem, and in our case, weak solutions are also classical solutions. We find nontrivial solutions which are local minimizers of our action functional restricted to various subsets of this submanifold. Additionally, if nondegenerate, the one-sign solutions are of Morse index 1 and the sign-changing solution has Morse index 2. We also establish that the action level of the sign-changing solution is bounded below by the sum of the two lesser levels of the one-sign solutions. Our results extend and complement the findings of Z. Q. Wang ([W]). We include a small sample of earlier works in the general area of superlinear elliptic boundary value problems.

Thesis--University of California, Berkeley, 1963. / "UC-32 Mathematics and Computers" -t.p. "TID-4500 (19th Ed.)" -t.p. Includes bibliographical references (p. 45).

My thesis work started in the summer of 2005 as a three way joint project by Professor Castro and Mr. John Kwon and myself. A paper from this joint project was written and the content now forms my thesis.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2006. / Title from PDF title page screen. Advisor: Maya Chhetri; submitted to the Dept. of Mathematical Sciences. Includes bibliographical references (p. 39-40).

Thesis (M.A.)--Boston University / The problem of finding the solution to a general eliptic type partial differential equation, when the boundary values are given, is generally referred to as the Dirichlet Problem. In this paper I consider the special eliptic equation of ∇2 J=0 which is Laplace's equation, and I limit myself to the case of two dimensions. Subject to these limitations I discuss five proofs for the existence of a solution to Laplace's equation for arbitrary regions where the boundary values are given. [TRUNCATED]

<p> In this thesis, we shall solve the classical Dirichlet problem for a ball in n-dimensional Euclidean space, and then point out that the classical Dirichlet problem is not always solvable. Following Wiener and Brelot, we then introduce a generalized Dirichlet problem for any bounded region in n-dimensional Euclidean space and establish necessary and sufficient conditions for its solution. We show that the solution of the generalized Dirichlet problem coincides with the solution of the classical Dirichlet problem whenever the latter exists. Finally, we characterize those regions for which the classical Dirichlet problem is solvable by considering the boundary behaviour of those functions for which the generalized problem is solvable.</p> / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

In the category of mathematics called partial differential equations there is a particular type of problem called the Dirichlet problem. Proof is given in many partial differential equation books that every Dirichlet problem has one and only one solution. The explicit solution is very often not easily determined, so that a method for approximating the solution at certain points becomes desirable. The purpose of this paper is to present and investigate one such method.

Thesis (M.S.)--Auburn University, 2007. / Abstract. Vita. "This thesis has produced the following three journal publications: 1) V. Srinivasan, T.P. Clement, and K.K. Lee. "Domenico solution -- Is it valid?", Ground Water, 25(2): 136-146, May 2007 ; 2) V. Srinivasan and T.P. Clement. "Analytical solutions for sequentially coupled reactive transport problems. Part I: Mathematical derivations", submitted May 2007, Advances in Water Resources ; 3) V. Srinivasan and T.P. Clement. "Analytical solutions for sequentially coupled reactive transport problems. Part II: Special cases, implementation and testing", submitted May 2007, Advances in Water Resources." -- From p. v. Includes bibliographic references (ℓ. 91-98)

Thesis--Bonn. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 74-75).