On the existence of periodic solutions for certain differential equations

Abstract

Here we are concerned with the problem of the existence of periodic solution for certain second and third-order nonlinear differential equations. Our method here is to consider the problem as an eigenvalue problem and treat it by the topological degree theory. In particular we establish the conditions of the existence of periodic solution first for a simpler system which is homotopic to the original system and then generalize the obtained results for the focal system. The method employed here is applicable also for a system of nonlinear differential equations just with simple modifications. Finally, we present some specific examples numerically to show that the results are valid and realizable.