Hindawi Publishing Corporation Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society Volume 2008, Article ID 257680, 19 pages doi:10.1155/2008/257680 Research Article Twin Positive Solutions of a Nonlinear m-Point Boundary Value Problem for Third-Order p-Laplacian Dynamic Equations on Time Scales Wei Han1 and Guang Zhang2 1 2 Department of Mathematics, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China Department of Mathematics, School of Science, Tianjin University of Commerce, Tianjin 300134, China Correspondence should be addressed to Wei Han, qd hanweiwei1@126.com Received 20 April 2008; Accepted 20 June 2008 Recommended by Binggen Zhang Several existence theorems of twin positive solutions are established for a nonlinear m-point boundary value problem of third-order p-Laplacian dynamic equations on time scales by using a fixed point theorem. We present two theorems and four corollaries which generalize the results of related literature. As an application, an example to demonstrate our results is given. The obtained conditions are different from some known results. Copyright q 2008 W. Han and G. Zhang. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. 1. Introduction A time scale T is a nonempty closed subset of R. We make the blanket assumption that 0 and T are points in T. By an interval 0, T , we always mean the intersection of the real interval 0, T with the given time scale, that is, 0, T ∩ T. In this paper, we will be concerned with the existence of positive solutions of the pLaplacian dynamic equations on time scales: ∇ φp uΔ∇ atft, ut 0, φp uΔ∇ 0 m−2 ai φp uΔ∇ ξi , i1 uΔ 0 0, t ∈ 0, T , uT 1.1 m−2 bi uξi , 1.2 i1 where φp s is p-Laplacian operator; that is, φp s |s|p−2 s, p > 1, φp−1 φq , 1/p 1/q 1, 0 < ξ1 < · · · < ξm−2 < ρT , and m−2 H1 ai , bi ∈ 0, ∞, i 1, 2, . . . , satisfy 0 < m−2 i1 ai < 1 and i1 bi < 1; 2 Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society H2 at ∈ Cld 0, T , 0, ∞ and there exists t0 ∈ ξm−2 , T such that at0 > 0; H3 f ∈ C0, T × 0, ∞, 0, ∞. We point out that the Δ-derivative and the ∇-derivative in 1.2 and the Cld space in H2 are defined in Section 2. Recently, there has been much attention paid to the existence of positive solutions for third-order nonlinear boundary value problems of differential equations. For example, see 1–10 and the listed references. Anderson 2 considered the following third-order nonlinear problem: x t ft, xt, t1 ≤ t ≤ t3 , xt1 x t2 0, γxt3 δx t3 0. 1.3 He used the Krasnoselskii and the Leggett and Williams fixed-point theorems to prove the existence of solutions to the nonlinear problem 1.3. Li 6 considered the existence of single and multiple positive solutions to the nonlinear singular third-order two-point boundary value problem: u t λatfut 0, 0 < t < 1, u0 u 0 u 1 0. 1.4 Under various assumptions on a and f, they established intervals of the parameter λ which yield the existence of at least two and infinitely many positive solutions of the boundary value problem by using Krasnoselski’s fixed-point theorem of cone expansion-compression type. Liu et al. 7 discussed the existence of at least one or two nondecreasing positive solutions for the following singular nonlinear third-order differential equations: x t λαtft, xt 0, a < t < b, xa x a x b 0. 1.5 Green’s function and the fixed-point theorem of cone expansion-compression type are utilized in their paper. In 8, Sun considered the following nonlinear singular third-order three-point boundary value problem: u t − λatFt, ut 0, 0 < t < 1, u0 u η u 1 0. 1.6 He obtained various results on the existence of single and multiple positive solutions to the boundary value problem 1.6 by using a fixed-point theorem of cone expansion-compression type due to Krasnosel’skii. In 10, Zhou and Ma studied the existence and iteration of positive solutions for the following third-order generalized right-focal boundary value problem with p-Laplacian operator: φp u t qtft, ut, 0 ≤ t ≤ 1, m n u0 αi uξi , u η 0, u 1 βi u θi . i1 i1 1.7 W. Han and G. Zhang 3 They established a corresponding iterative scheme for 1.7 by using the monotone iterative technique. On the other hand, the existence of positive solutions for third-order nonlinear boundary value problems of difference equations is also extensively studied by a number of authors see 1, 3, 5, 9 and the listed references. The present work is motivated by a recent paper 4. In 4, Henderson and Yin considered the existence of solutions for a third-order boundary value problem on a time-scale equation of the form uΔ ft, u, uΔ , uΔΔ , 3 t ∈ T, 1.8 which is uniform for the third-order difference equation and the third-order differential equation. 2. Preliminaries and lemmas For convenience, we list the following definitions which can be found in 4, 11–15. Definition 2.1. Let T be a time scale. For t < sup T and r > inf T, define the forward jump operator σ and the backward jump operator ρ, respectively, by σt inf{τ ∈ T | τ > t} ∈ T, ρr sup{τ ∈ T | τ < r} ∈ T 2.1 for all t, r ∈ T. If σt > t, t is said to be right-scattered, and if ρr < r, r is said to be leftscattered; if σt t, t is said to be right-dense, and if ρr r, r is said to be left-dense. If T has a right-scattered minimum m, define Tk T − {m}; otherwise set Tk T. If T has a left-scattered maximum M, define Tk T − {M}; otherwise set Tk T. Definition 2.2. For f : T→R and t ∈ Tk , the delta derivative of f at the point t is defined to be the number f Δ t provided that it exists, with the property that for each > 0 there is a neighborhood U of t such that |fσt − fs − f Δ tσt − s| ≤ |σt − s| 2.2 for all s ∈ U. For f : T→R and t ∈ Tk , the nabla derivative of f at t is denoted by f ∇ t provided that it exists, with the property that for each > 0 there is a neighborhood U of t such that |fρt − fs − f ∇ tρt − s| ≤ |ρt − s| 2.3 for all s ∈ U. Definition 2.3. A function f is left-dense continuous i.e., ld-continuous if f is continuous at each left-dense point in T, and its right-sided limit exists at each right-dense point in T. 4 Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society Definition 2.4. If φΔ t ft, then one defines the delta integral by b ftΔt φb − φa. 2.4 a If F ∇ t ft, then one defines the nabla integral by b ft∇t Fb − Fa. 2.5 a To prove the main results in this paper, we will employ several lemmas. These lemmas are based on the linear BVP ∇ φp uΔ∇ ht 0, φp uΔ∇ 0 m−2 ai φp uΔ∇ ξi , t ∈ 0, T , uΔ 0 0, uT i1 Lemma 2.5. If solution m−2 i1 1 and ai / 2.6 m−2 bi uξi . 2.7 i1 m−2 i1 ut − t 1, then for h ∈ Cld 0, T the BVP 2.6-2.7 has the unique bi / t − sφq s 0 hτ∇τ − A ∇s C, 2.8 0 where ξ ai 0i hτ∇τ , A− 1 − m−2 i1 ai T s s ξi T − sφq 0 hτ∇τ − A∇s − m−2 i1 bi 0 ξi − sφq 0 hτ∇τ − A∇s 0 . C 1 − m−2 i1 bi m−2 i1 2.9 Proof. i Let u be a solution, then we will show that 2.8 holds. By taking the nabla integral of problem 2.6 on 0, t, we have φp uΔ∇ t − t hτ∇τ A 2.10 t hτ∇τ A −φq hτ∇τ − A . 2.11 0 then Δ∇ u t φq − t 0 0 By taking the nabla integral of 2.11 on 0, t, we can get uΔ t − s t φq 0 0 hτ∇τ − A ∇s B. 2.12 W. Han and G. Zhang 5 By taking the delta integral of 2.12 on 0, t, we can get ut − t t − sφq s 0 hτ∇τ − A ∇s Bt C. 2.13 0 Similarly, let t 0 on 2.10, then we have φp uΔ∇ 0 A; let t ξi on 2.10, then we have φp uΔ∇ ξi − ξi hτ∇τ A. 2.14 0 Let t 0 on 2.12, then we have uΔ 0 B. 2.15 Let t T on 2.13, then we have uT − T T − sφq s 0 hτ∇τ − A ∇s BT C. 2.16 hτ∇τ − A ∇s Bξi C. 2.17 0 Similarly, let t ξi on 2.13, then we have uξi − ξi ξi − sφq s 0 0 By the boundary condition 2.7, we can get A m−2 ai B 0, ξi − hτ∇τ A . 2.18 2.19 0 i1 Solving 2.19, we get ξ ai 0i hτ∇τ . 1 − m−2 i1 ai m−2 A− i1 2.20 By the boundary condition 2.7, we can obtain − T 0 T − sφq s 0 s m−2 ξi hτ∇τ − A ∇s C bi − ξi − sφq hτ∇τ − A ∇s C . i1 0 0 2.21 6 Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society Substituting 2.20 in the above expression, one has T C 0 ξi s s T − sφq 0 hτ∇τ − A∇s − m−2 i1 bi 0 ξi − sφq 0 hτ∇τ − A∇s . 1 − m−2 i1 bi 2.22 ii We show that the function u given in 2.8 is a solution. Let u be as in 2.8. By 12, Theorem 2.10iii and taking the delta derivative of 2.8, we have uΔ t − s t φq 0 hτ∇τ − A ∇s; 2.23 0 moreover, we get u Δ∇ t −φq t hτ∇τ − A , 0 φp uΔ∇ − t 2.24 hτ∇τ − A . 0 ∇ Taking the nabla derivative of this expression yields φp uΔ∇ −ht. Also, routine calculation verifies that u satisfies the boundary value conditions in 2.7 so that u given in 2.8 is a solution of 2.6 and 2.7. The proof is complete. Lemma 2.6. Assume H1 holds. For h ∈ Cld 0, T and h ≥ 0, the unique solution u of 2.6 and 2.7 satisfies ut ≥ 0 for t ∈ 0, T . 2.25 Proof. Let ϕ0 s φq s hτ∇τ − A . 2.26 0 Since s 0 then ϕ0 s ≥ 0. hτ∇τ − A s 0 ξ ai 0i hτ∇τ ≥ 0, 1 − m−2 i1 ai m−2 hτ∇τ i1 2.27 W. Han and G. Zhang 7 According to Lemma 2.5, we get T ξi T − sϕ0 s∇s − m−2 i1 bi 0 ξi − sϕ0 s∇s 0 u0 C 1 − m−2 i1 bi T m−2 ξi T − sϕ0 s∇s − i1 bi 0 T − sϕ0 s∇s ≥ 0 1 − m−2 i1 bi T T m−2 T T − sϕ0 s∇s − i1 bi 0 T − sϕ0 s∇s − ξi T − sϕ0 s∇s 0 1 − m−2 i1 bi m−2 T T i1 bi ξi T − sϕ0 s∇s T − sϕ0 s∇s ≥ 0, 1 − m−2 0 i1 bi T uT − T − sϕ0 s∇s C 0 2.28 m−2 ξi i1 bi 0 ξi − sϕ0 s∇s − T − sϕ0 s∇s m−2 1 − i1 bi 0 ξi T T T − sϕ0 s∇s − m−2 i1 bi 0 T − sϕ0 s∇s 0 ≥ − T − sϕ0 s∇s 1 − m−2 0 i1 bi m−2 T i1 bi ξi T − sϕ0 s∇s ≥ 0. 1 − m−2 i1 bi T T 0 If t ∈ 0, T , we have t ut − t − sϕ0 s∇s 0 T ≥− T − sϕ0 s∇s 0 1− 1− 1− 1 m−2 i1 1 m−2 i1 bi bi 1 m−2 1− i1 T bi 1 m−2 i1 T − sϕ0 s∇s − T − sϕ0 s∇s − m−2 ξi i1 0 0 T bi T − sϕ0 s∇s − 0 bi ξi − sϕ0 s∇s m−2 ξi i1 0 bi T − sϕ0 s∇s T T m−2 m−2 ξi − 1− bi T −sϕ0 s∇s T −sϕ0 s∇s− bi T −sϕ0 s∇s i1 m−2 T i1 ξi bi 0 0 i1 0 T − sϕ0 s∇s ≥ 0. 2.29 So ut ≥ 0, t ∈ 0, T . Lemma 2.7. Assume H1 holds. If h ∈ Cld 0, T and h ≥ 0, then the unique solution u of 2.6 and 2.7 satisfies inf ut ≥ γ u , t∈0,T 2.30 8 Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society where m−2 bi T − ξi , u max |ut|. m−2 t∈0,T T − i1 bi ξi t Proof. It is easy to check that uΔ t − 0 ϕ0 s∇s ≤ 0; this implies that i1 γ u u0, min ut uT . t∈0,T 2.31 2.32 It is easy to see that uΔ t2 ≤ uΔ t1 for any t1 , t2 ∈ 0, T with t1 ≤ t2 . Hence, uΔ t is a decreasing function on 0, T . This means that the graph of ut is concave down on 0, T . For each i ∈ {1, 2, . . . , m − 2}, we have uT − u0 uT − uξi , ≥ T −0 T − ξi 2.33 T uξi − ξi uT ≥ T − ξi u0, 2.34 that is, so that T m−2 m−2 m−2 i1 i1 i1 bi uξi − bi ξi uT ≥ m−2 bi T − ξi u0. bi uξi , we have m−2 bi T − ξi u0. uT ≥ i1 m−2 T − i1 bi ξi With the boundary condition uT 2.35 i1 2.36 This completes the proof. Let the norm on Cld 0, T be the maximum norm. Then, the Cld 0, T is a Banach space. It is easy to see that BVP 1.1-1.2 has a solution u ut if and only if u is a fixed point of the operator t s ∇s C, Aut − t − sφq aτfτ, uτ∇τ − A 2.37 0 where 0 m−2 Denote i1 ai ξi aτfτ, uτ∇τ , 1 − m−2 i1 ai s s T m−2 ξi T −sφq 0 aτfτ, uτ∇τ − A∇s− bi 0 ξi − sφq 0 aτfτ, uτ∇τ − A∇s i1 0 . C m−2 1 − i1 bi 2.38 − A 0 K u | u ∈ Cld 0, T , ut ≥ 0, inf ut ≥ γ u , t∈0,T 2.39 where γ is the same as in Lemma 2.7. It is obvious that K is a cone in Cld 0, T . By Lemma 2.7, AK ⊂ K. So by applying Arzela-Ascoli theorem on time scales 16, we can obtain that AK is relatively compact. In view of Lebesgue’s dominated convergence theorem on time scales 13, it is easy to prove that A is continuous. Hence, A : K→K is completely continuous. W. Han and G. Zhang 9 Lemma 2.8. A : K→K is completely continuous. Proof. First, we show that A maps bounded set into bounded set. Assume c > 0 is a constant and u ∈ Kc {u ∈ K : u ≤ c}. Note that the continuity of f guarantees that there is c > 0 such that ft, ut ≤ φp c for t ∈ 0, T . So Au max |Aut| ≤ C t∈0,T T s T − sφq 0 aτfτ, uτ∇τ − A∇s ≤ m−2 1 − i1 bi ξi m−2 T s c 0 T − sφq 0 aτ∇τ m−2 i1 ai 0 aτ∇τ/1 − i1 ai ∇s ≤ . m−2 1 − i1 bi 0 2.40 That is, AKc is uniformly bounded. In addition, notice that for any t1 , t2 ∈ 0, T , we have |Aut1 − Aut2 | t2 t1 s s ∇s t2 −sφq ∇s t2 −t1 φq aτfτ, uτ∇τ − A aτfτ, uτ∇τ − A 0 0 ξi t1 0 m−2 T s i1 ai 0 aτ∇τ ≤ c |t1 − t2 | φq aτ∇τ ∇s 1 − m−2 0 0 i1 ai m−2 ξi s i1 ai 0 aτ∇τ . aτ∇τ T max φq s∈0,T 1 − m−2 0 i1 ai 2.41 So, by applying Arzela-Ascoli theorem on time scales 16, we obtain that AKc is relatively compact. Finally, we prove that A : Kc →K is continuous. Suppose that {un }∞ n1 ⊂ Kc and ∞ ∗ un t converges to u t uniformly on 0, T . Hence, {Aun t}n1 is uniformly bounded and equicontinuous on 0, T . The Arzela-Ascoli theorem on time scales 16 tells us that there ∞ exists uniformly convergent subsequence in {Aun t}∞ n1 . Let {Aunm t}m1 be a subsequence which converges to vt uniformly on 0, T . In addition, T ξi s m−2 c 0 T − sφq 0 aτ∇τ m−2 i1 ai 0 aτ∇τ/1 − i1 ai ∇s 0 ≤ Aun t ≤ . m−2 1 − i1 bi 2.42 Observe the expression of {Aunm t}, and then letting m→∞, we obtain vt − t 0 t − sφq s 0 ∗, ∗ ∇s C aτfτ, u∗ τ∇τ − A 2.43 10 Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society where m−2 ξi aτfτ, u∗ τ∇τ , 1 − m−2 i1 ai T s 1 ∗ ∗ ∗ T − sφq aτfτ, u τ∇τ − A ∇s C 1 − m−2 0 0 i1 bi s m−2 ξi ∗ ∗ bi ξi − sφq aτfτ, u τ∇τ − A ∇s . − ∗ − A i1 ai 0 0 i1 2.44 0 Here, we have used the Lebesgue dominated convergence theorem on time scales 13. From the definition of A, we know that vt Au∗ t on 0, T . This shows that each subsequence ∞ ∗ of {Aun t}∞ n1 uniformly converges to Au t. Therefore, the sequence {Aun t}n1 uniformly ∗ ∗ converges to Au t. This means that A is continuous at u ∈ Kc . So, A is continuous on Kc since u∗ is arbitrary. Thus, A is completely continuous. This proof is complete. Lemma 2.9. Let ϕs φq s . aτfτ, uτ∇τ − A 2.45 0 For ξi i 1, . . . , m − 2, ξi ξi − sϕs∇s ≤ 0 ξi T T T − sϕs∇s. 2.46 0 Proof. Since s aτfτ, uτ∇τ − A s 0 m−2 aτfτ, uτ∇τ i1 0 ai ξi aτfτ, uτ∇τ 1 − m−2 i1 ai 0 2.47 ≥ 0, then ϕs ≥ 0. For all t ∈ 0, T , we have t 0 t − sϕs∇s t ∇ t t t 0 ϕs∇s − 0 t − sϕs∇s tρt ≥ 0. 2.48 t t In fact, let ψt t 0 ϕs∇s − 0 t − sϕs∇s; taking the nabla derivative of this expression, we have t t ψ ∇ t ϕs∇s tϕt − ϕs∇s tϕt ≥ 0. 2.49 0 0 Hence, ψt is a nondecreasing function on 0, T . That is, ψt ≥ 0. 2.50 W. Han and G. Zhang 11 For all t ∈ 0, T , t 0 t − sϕs∇s t T 0 ≤ T − sϕs∇s T . 2.51 By 2.51, for ξi i 1, . . . , m − 2, we have ξi ξi − sϕs∇s ≤ 0 ξi T T T − sϕs∇s. 2.52 0 Lemma 2.10 see 17. Let E be a Banach space, and let K ⊂ E be a cone. Assume Ω1 , Ω2 are open bounded subsets of E with 0 ∈ Ω1 , Ω1 ⊂ Ω2 , and let F : K ∩ Ω2 \ Ω1 →K be a completely continuous operator such that i Fu ≤ u , u ∈ K ∩ ∂Ω1 , and Fu ≥ u , u ∈ K ∩ ∂Ω2 , or ii Fu ≥ u , u ∈ K ∩ ∂Ω1 , and Fu ≤ u , u ∈ K ∩ ∂Ω2 . Then, F has a fixed point in K ∩ Ω2 \ Ω1 . Now, we introduce the following notations. Let A0 1− 1 m−2 i1 T bi T − sφq 0 s ξ −1 ai 0i aτ∇τ , ∇s 1 − m−2 i1 ai m−2 aτ∇τ 0 i1 m−2 ξi T s −1 m−2 T i1 bi − m−2 i1 ai 0 aτ∇τ i1 bi ξi ∇s T − sφq aτ∇τ . B0 T 1 − m−2 1 − m−2 0 0 i1 bi i1 ai 2.53 For l > 0, Ωl {u ∈ K : u < l}, and ∂Ωl {u ∈ K : u l}, αl sup{ Au : u ∈ ∂Ωl }, βl inf{ Au : u ∈ ∂Ωl }, 2.54 by Lemma 2.6, where α and β are well defined. 3. Main results Theorem 3.1. Assume H1 , H2 , and H3 hold, and assume that the following conditions hold: A1 pi ∈ C0, ∞, 0, ∞, i 1, 2, and lim l→0 p1 l p−1 < A0 , lp−1 p2 l p−1 < A0 ; l→∞ lp−1 lim 3.1 A2 ki ∈ L1 0, T , 0, ∞, i 1, 2; A3 there exist 0 < c1 ≤ c2 and 0 ≤ λ2 < p − 1 < λ1 such that ft, l ≤ p1 l k1 tlλ1 , t, l ∈ 0, T × 0, c1 , ft, l ≤ p2 l k2 tl , t, l ∈ 0, T × c2 , ∞; λ2 3.2 12 Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society A4 there exists b > 0 such that min{ft, l : t, l ∈ 0, T × γb, b} ≥ bB0 p−1 . 3.3 Then, problem 1.1-1.2 has at least two positive solutions u∗1 , u∗2 satisfying 0 < u∗1 < b < u∗2 . Theorem 3.2. Assume H1 , H2 , and H3 hold, and assume that the following conditions hold: B1 pi ∈ C0, ∞, 0, ∞, i 3, 4, and lim l→0 p3 l > lp−1 B0 γ p−1 , lim l→∞ p4 l > lp−1 B0 γ p−1 ; 3.4 B2 ki ∈ L1 0, T , 0, ∞, i 3, 4; B3 there exist 0 < c3 ≤ c4 and 0 ≤ λ4 < p − 1 < λ3 such that ft, l ≥ p3 l − k3 tlλ3 , t, l ∈ 0, T × 0, c3 , ft, l ≥ p4 l − k4 tl , t, l ∈ 0, T × c4 , ∞; λ4 3.5 B4 there exists a > 0 such that max{ft, l : t, l ∈ 0, T × 0, a} ≤ aA0 p−1 . 3.6 Then, problem 1.1-1.2 has at least two positive solutions u∗3 , u∗4 satisfying 0 < u∗3 < a < u∗4 . Proof of Theorem 3.1. Let p1 l p2 l 1 p−1 p−1 min A0 − lim p−1 , A0 − lim p−1 , l→0 l l→∞ l 2 3.7 then there exist 0 < a1 ≤ c1 and c2 ≤ a2 < ∞ such that p−1 − lp−1 , 0 ≤ l ≤ a1 , p−1 A0 − lp−1 , a2 ≤ l ≤ ∞. p1 l ≤ A0 p2 l ≤ 3.8 If 0 ≤ l ≤ a1 , u ∈ ∂Ωl , then 0 ≤ ut ≤ l, 0 ≤ t ≤ T . By condition A3 , we have ft, ut ≤ p1 ut k1 tuλ1 t p−1 − up−1 t k1 tuλ1 t p−1 − u p−1 k1 t u λ1 p−1 − lp−1 k1 tlλ1 ≤ A0 ≤ A0 A0 3.9 W. Han and G. Zhang 13 so that s aτfτ, uτ∇τ − A 0 s m−2 aτfτ, uτ∇τ Therefore, Au ≤ C ≤ ≤ 1− 1 m−2 i1 bi T 1 m−2 1− T bi i1 ai ξi aτfτ, uτ∇τ 1 − m−2 0 i1 ai m−2 ξi s p−1 − lp−1 k1 τlλ1 ∇τ p−1 i1 ai 0 aτA0 p−1 λ1 ≤ aτA0 − l k1 τl ∇τ . m−2 1 − i1 ai 0 3.10 i1 0 T − sϕs∇s − m−2 ξi i1 0 0 bi ξi − sϕs∇s T − sϕs∇s 0 1 m−2 1 − i1 bi T s p−1 × T − sφq aτA0 − lp−1 k1 τlλ1 ∇τ 0 0 m−2 i1 ai ξi 0 − lp−1 k1 τlλ1 ∇τ ∇s. 1 − m−2 i1 ai p−1 aτA0 It follows that αl 1 ≤ m−2 l 1 − i1 bi T s p−1 × T − sφq aτA0 − k1 τlλ1 −p1 ∇τ 0 0 m−2 i1 ai ξi 0 3.11 3.12 − k1 τlλ1 −p1 ∇τ ∇s. 1 − m−2 i1 ai p−1 aτA0 Noticing λ1 − p 1 > 0, we have m−2 ξi T p−1 s − ∇τ αl 1 p−1 i1 ai 0 aτA0 ∇s lim T − sφ aτA − ∇τ ≤ q 0 l→0 l 1 − m−2 1 − m−2 0 i1 bi 0 i1 ai p−1 A0 1− p−1 A0 1/p−1 − m−2 i1 bi T T − sφq 0 s 0 ξ ai 0i aτ∇τ ∇s m−2 1 − i1 ai m−2 aτ∇τ i1 − 1/p−1 A−1 0 −p−1 1 − A0 1/p−1 < 1. 3.13 Therefore, there exist 0 < a1 < a1 such that αa1 < a1 . It implies that Au < u , u ∈ ∂Ωa1 . 14 Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society If a2 ≤ l < ∞ and u ∈ ∂Ωl , then 0 ≤ ut ≤ l. Similar to the above argument, noticing that λ2 − p 1 < 0, we can get liml→∞ αl/l < 1. Therefore, there exist 0 < a2 < a2 such that αa2 < a2 . It implies that Au < u , u ∈ ∂Ωa2 . On the other hand, since f : 0, T × 0, ∞→0, ∞ is continuous, by condition A4 , there exist a1 < b1 < b < b2 < a2 such that min{ft, l : t, l ∈ 0, T × γbi , bi } ≥ bi B0 p−1 , i 1, 2. 3.14 If u ∈ ∂Ωb1 , then γb1 ≤ ut ≤ b1 , 0 ≤ t ≤ T . Applying Lemma 2.9, it follows that Au max|Aut| 0≤t≤T T ≥− T − sϕs∇s 0 ≥ ≥ m−2 1− i1 bi m−2 i1 bi m−2 1− T T T i1 bi m−2 i1 bi 1− 1 m−2 i1 T bi T − sϕs∇s − 0 m−2 ξi i1 0 bi ξi − sϕs∇s m−2 ξi i1 bi 0 ξi − sϕs∇s T − sϕs∇s − 1 − m−2 0 i1 bi T T T − sϕs∇s − 0 m−2 i1 T 1 − T bi ξi m−2 i1 bi T − sϕs∇s 0 m−2 T bi − m−2 i1 bi ξi T − sϕs∇s T 1 − m−2 0 i1 bi i1 m−2 ξi T s p−1 ∇τ bi − m−2 i1 ai 0 aτb1 B0 p−1 i1 bi ξi ∇s T − sφ aτb B ∇τ q 1 0 T 1 − m−2 1 − m−2 0 0 i1 bi i1 ai m−2 i1 m−2 ξi T s bi − m−2 i1 ai 0 aτ∇τ i1 bi ξi ∇s aτ∇τ b1 B0 T − sφq T 1 − m−2 1 − m−2 0 0 i1 bi i1 ai m−2 i1 b1 B0 B0−1 b1 u . 3.15 In the same way, we can prove that if u ∈ ∂Ωb2 , then Au ≥ u . Now, we consider the operator A on Ωb1 \Ωa1 and Ωa2 \Ωb2 , respectively. By Lemma 2.10, we assert that the operator A has two fixed points u∗1 , u∗2 ∈ K such that a1 ≤ u∗1 ≤ b1 and b2 ≤ u∗2 ≤ a2 . Therefore, u∗i , i 1, 2, are positive solutions of problem 1.1-1.2. Proof of Theorem 3.2. Let p−1 p−1 p3 l p4 l 1 B0 B0 , , lim p−1 − min lim p−1 − 2 γ γ l→0 l l→∞ l 3.16 W. Han and G. Zhang 15 then there exist 0 < b3 ≤ c3 and c4 ≤ b4 < ∞ such that p3 l ≥ p4 l ≥ B0 γ B0 γ p−1 lp−1 , p−1 l 0 ≤ l ≤ b3 , 3.17 p−1 , b4 ≤ l ≤ ∞. If 0 ≤ l ≤ b3 , u ∈ ∂Ωl , then γl ≤ ut ≤ l, 0 ≤ t ≤ T . By Lemma 2.9 and condition B3 , we have Au max|Aut| 0≤t≤T ≥ ≥ T T × m−2 T bi − m−2 i1 bi ξi T − sϕs∇s m−2 T 1 − i1 bi 0 i1 m−2 bi − m−2 i1 bi ξi m−2 T 1 − i1 bi i1 T T − sφq s 0 aτp3 uτ − k3 τuλ3 ∇τ 0 m−2 i1 ≥ T × ai ξi 0 aτp3 uτ − k3 τuλ3 ∇τ ∇s 1 − m−2 i1 ai 3.18 m−2 bi − m−2 i1 bi ξi m−2 T 1 − i1 bi i1 T T − sφq s p−1 B0 p−1 λ3 aτ γl − k3 τl ∇τ γ 0 0 m−2 i1 ai ξi 0 aτB0 /γp−1 γlp−1 − k3 τlλ3 ∇τ ∇s. 1 − m−2 i1 ai It follows that m−2 βl T m−2 i1 bi − i1 bi ξi ≥ m−2 l T 1 − i1 bi × T 0 T − sφq s 0 p−1 aτB0 m−2 i1 ai ξi 0 γ p−1 − k3 τlλ3 −p1 ∇τ γ p−1 − k3 τlλ3 −p1 ∇τ ∇s. 1 − m−2 i1 ai p−1 aτB0 3.19 16 Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society Noticing λ3 − p 1 > 0, we get m−2 βl T m−2 i1 bi − i1 bi ξi lim ≥ m−2 l l→0 T 1 − i1 bi × T T − sφq s 0 0 p−1 B0 p−1 aτB0 m−2 γ p−1 ∇τ i1 ai ξi 0 p−1 aτB0 γ p−1 ∇τ ∇s 1 − m−2 i1 ai γ p−1 1/p−1 B0−1 −p−1 1 γ p−1 B0 1/p−1 > 1. 3.20 Therefore, there exists b3 with 0 < b3 < a such that βb3 > b3 . It implies that Au > u for u ∈ ∂Ωb3 . If b4 ≤ γl < ∞ and u ∈ ∂Ωl , then b4 ≤ γl ≤ ut ≤ l, 0 ≤ t ≤ T . Similar to the above argument, noticing that λ4 − p 1 < 0, we can get liml→∞ βl/l > 1. Therefore, there exist b4 with 0 < b4 < ∞ such that βb4 > b4 . It implies that Au > u for u ∈ ∂Ωb4 . By condition B4 , we can see that there exist b3 < a3 < a < a4 < b4 such that max{ft, l : t, l ∈ 0, T × 0, ai } ≤ ai A0 p−1 , i 3, 4. 3.21 If u ∈ ∂Ωa3 , then 0 ≤ ut ≤ a3 , 0 ≤ t ≤ T , and ft, ut ≤ a3 A0 p−1 . It follows that Au ≤ ≤ 1− 1− 1 m−2 i1 1 m−2 i1 T bi T − sϕs∇s 0 T bi a3 A0 T − sφq 0 s 0 ξ ai 0i aτ∇τ ∇s 1 − m−2 i1 ai m−2 aτ∇τ i1 3.22 a3 u . Similarly, if u ∈ ∂Ωa4 , then Au ≤ u . Now, we study the operator A on Ωa3 \ Ωb3 and Ωb4 \ Ωa4 , respectively. By Lemma 2.10, we assert that the operator A has two fixed points u∗3 , u∗4 ∈ K such that b3 ≤ u∗3 ≤ a3 and a4 ≤ u∗4 ≤ b4 . Therefore, u∗i , i 3, 4, are positive solutions of problem 1.1-1.2. 4. Further discussion If the conditions of Theorems 3.1 and 3.2 are weakened, we will get the existence of single positive solution of problem 1.1-1.2. Corollary 4.1. Assume H1 , H2 , and H3 hold, and assume that the following conditions hold: p−1 C1 p1 ∈ C0, ∞, 0, ∞, and liml→0 p1 l/lp−1 < A0 ; C2 k1 ∈ L1 0, T , 0, ∞; W. Han and G. Zhang 17 C3 there exist c1 > 0 and λ1 > p − 1 such that ft, l ≤ p1 l k1 tlλ1 , t, l ∈ 0, T × 0, c1 ; 4.1 min{ft, l : t, l ∈ 0, T × γb, b} ≥ bB0 p−1 . 4.2 C4 there exists b > 0 such that Then, problem 1.1-1.2 has at least one positive solution. Corollary 4.2. Assume H1 , H2 , and H3 hold, and assume that the following conditions hold: p−1 D1 p2 ∈ C0, ∞, 0, ∞, and liml→∞ p2 l/lp−1 < A0 ; D2 k2 ∈ L1 0, T , 0, ∞; C3 there exist c2 > 0 and 0 ≤ λ2 < p − 1 such that ft, l ≤ p2 l k2 tlλ2 , t, l ∈ 0, T × c2 , ∞; 4.3 D4 there exists b > 0 such that min{ft, l : t, l ∈ 0, T × γb, b} ≥ bB0 p−1 . 4.4 Then, problem 1.1-1.2 has at least one positive solution. Corollary 4.3. Assume H1 , H2 , and H3 hold, and assume that the following conditions hold: E1 p3 ∈ C0, ∞, 0, ∞, and liml→0 p3 l/lp−1 > B0 /γp−1 ; E2 k3 ∈ L1 0, T , 0, ∞; E3 there exist c3 > 0 and λ3 > p − 1 such that ft, l ≥ p3 l − k3 tlλ3 , t, l ∈ 0, T × 0, c3 ; 4.5 max{ft, l : t, l ∈ 0, T × 0, a} ≤ aA0 p−1 . 4.6 E4 there exists a > 0 such that Then, problem 1.1-1.2 has at least one positive solution. Corollary 4.4. Assume H1 , H2 , and H3 hold, and assume that the following conditions hold: F1 p4 ∈ C0, ∞, 0, ∞, and liml→∞ p4 l/lp−1 > B0 /γp−1 ; F2 k4 ∈ L1 0, T , 0, ∞; F3 there exist c4 > 0 and 0 ≤ λ4 < p − 1 such that ft, l ≥ p4 l − k4 tlλ4 , t, l ∈ 0, T × c4 , ∞; 4.7 F4 there exists a > 0 such that max{ft, l : t, l ∈ 0, T × 0, a} ≤ aA0 p−1 . 4.8 Then, problem 1.1-1.2 has at least one positive solution. The proof of the above results is similar to those of Theorems 3.1 and 3.2; thus we omit it. 18 Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society 5. Some examples In this section, we present a simple example to explain our results. We only study the case T R, 0, T 0, 1. Let ft, 0 ≡ 0. Consider the following BVP: where φ3 u ft, ut 0, t ∈ 0, 1, 1 1 1 1 φ3 u 0 φ3 u u1 u , u 0 0, , 2 2 2 2 5.1 ⎧ 1 2 √ 5 ⎪ 3 ⎪ , min u, t, u ∈ 0, 1 × 0, 1, 223u ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ t1 − t u ⎪ ⎪ ⎨ t, u ∈ 0, 1 × 1, 3, ft, u 225, ⎪ √ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ 2u √ 3 3 1 ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ , u , t, u ∈ 0, 1 × 3, ∞. ⎩74u 6 min t1 − t 3 5.2 It is easy to check that f : 0, 1 × 0, ∞→0, ∞ is continuous. In this case, p 3, at ≡ 1, m 3, a1 b1 1/2, and ξ1 1/2, and it follows from a direct calculation that 1 A0 1 − 1/2 1 −1 1/2·1/2 ds 1 − sφq s 1.1062, 1 − 1/2 0 1 b1 1 − ξ1 1/21 − 1/2 . γ 1 − b1 ξ1 1 − 1/2·1/2 3 5.3 We have b1 − b1 ξ1 B0 1 − b1 T −1 a1 ξ1 ds 1 − sφq s 1 − a1 0 1/2 − 1/2·1/2 1 − 1/2 1 −1 1/2·1/2 1/2 1 − s s ds 1 − 1/2 0 5.4 4.4248 < 5. Choosing c1 1, c2 3, b 3, λ1 5/2, λ2 3/2, p1 u 223u3 , p2 u 74u, and k1 t k2 t 1/ t1 − t, it is easy to check that ft, u ≤ p1 u k1 tu5/2 , t, u ∈ 0, 1 × 0, 1, ft, u ≤ p2 u k2 tu3/2 , t, u ∈ 0, 1 × 3, ∞, p1 u 223u3 lim 0 < A20 1.10622 , u→0 u2 l→0 u2 lim lim u→∞ p2 u 74u lim 2 0 < A20 1.10622 , 2 l→∞ u u min{ft, u : t, u ∈ 0, 1 × 1, 3} 225 > 13.2742 bB0 2 . 5.5 W. Han and G. Zhang 19 It follows that f satisfies the conditions A1 –A4 of Theorem 3.1; then problem 5.1 has at least two positive solutions. Acknowledgment Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China Grant NO. 10471040. References 1 R. P. Agarwal and J. Henderson, “Positive solutions and nonlinear eigenvalue problems for thirdorder difference equations,” Computers & Mathematics with Applications, vol. 36, no. 10–12, pp. 347–355, 1998. 2 D. R. 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