Jrl Syst Sci & Complexity (2009) 22: 597–613

SOLUTIONS FOR SINGULAR p-LAPLACIAN

EQUATION IN Rn∗
Xiangqing LIU · Yuxia GUO · Jiaquan LIU

Received: 31 August 2009

c
°2009 Springer Science + Business Media, LLC

Abstract In this paper, the authors study the existence and non-existence of positive solutions for
singular p-Laplacian equation −∆p u = f (x)u−α + λg(x)uβ in RN , where N ≥ 3, 1 < p < N, λ > 0, 0 <
α < 1, max(p, 2) < β + 1 < p∗ = NN−p p
. We prove that there exists a critical value Λ such that the
problem has at least two solutions if 0 < λ < Λ; at least one solution if λ = Λ; and no solutions if
λ > Λ.
Key words Positive solutions, singular p-Laplacian equations.

1 Introduction
We consider the following singular p-Laplacian equation in RN :
(
∆p u + f (x)u−α + λg(x)uβ = 0,
(1.1)
u ≥ 0, x ∈ RN ,

where ∆p u = div(|∇u|p−2 ∇u) is the p-Laplacian operator, N ≥ 3, , 1 < p < N, λ > 0, 0 <
p∗ p∗
α < 1, max(p, 2) < β + 1 < p∗ = NN−p p
; f ∈ L p∗−(1−α) (RN ), f ≥ 0; g ∈ L p∗−(1+β) (RN ). We
distinguish the following subcases:
(g1 ) g+ = max(g, 0) 6≡ 0,
(g2 ) h = min(g, f ) ≥ 0, h 6≡ 0,
(g3 ) g ≥ 0, g 6≡ 0,
(g4 ) g > 0.
In the literature, there are many papers treating the existence of solutions to the equation
(1.1) with p = 2 and λ = 0 for both bounded and unbounded domain Ω ⊂ RN , see, for example,
N +2
[1–5] and references therein. For p = 2, λ 6= 0, g(x, u) = uβ with 1 < β < N −2 , and f (x) ≡ 1,
[6] ∗
Coclite and Palamieri proved that there exists λ > 0 such that (1.1) has a positive solution
for λ < λ∗ and (1.1) has no solution for λ > λ∗ on bounded domain with Dirichlet boundary
condition. The existence of multiple solution was claimed for λ < λ∗ by Yang[7] , Hirano, Saccon
N +2
and Shioji[8] and Hernandez, Mancebo, Vega[9] . For more general f (x) with 1 < β < N −2 , Sun

Xiangqing LIU
Department of Mathematics, Yunan Normal University, Kunming 650092, China.
Yuxia GUO
Department of Mathematics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China. Email: yxguo@yahoo.com.
Jiaquan LIU
Department of Mathematics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
∗ This research is supported by Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No. 10871110.
598 XIANGQING LIU · YUXIA GUO · JIAQUAN LIU

and Li[10] proved that there exists Λ > 0 such that (1.1) has at least two positive solution
for λ ∈ (0, Λ). In a very recently work, Zhou Xuefang in her thesis (Suzhou University, 2009)
proved the same results for p 6= 2.
In this paper, we are interested in the existence and nonexistence results of multiple solutions
to (1.1) with p 6= 2 in the whole space RN .
Our main results are the following theorems.
Theorem 1.1 Suppose that f ≥ 0, f 6≡ 0, and g+ 6≡ 0. Then, there exists Λ∗ > 0 such that
(1.1) has at least two solutions for 0 < λ ≤ Λ∗ .
Theorem 1.2 Suppose that f ≥ 0, f 6≡ 0, and g > 0. Suppose that β ≥ 1. Then there exists
Λ > 0 such that (1.1) has at least two strict positive solutions if 0 < λ < Λ, one strict positive
solution if λ = Λ, and no solutions if λ > Λ.
We remark that Theorem 1.1 is proved by the Mountain pass lemma. In the case of g >
0, Theorem 1.2 is proved by using the super-and sub-solutions method combining with the
extended Mountain pass lemma. The paper is organized as follows. In Section 2, we recall some
necessary definitions and results related to the critical point theory for non-smooth functional.
Section 3 is devoted to the multiple results for small λ. In Section 4, we prove the nonexistence
of solutions for (1.1). In the last section, we consider the existence of strictly positive solutions
by using the supper- and sub-solutions method.

2 Preliminaries
Let D1,p (RN ) = {u ∈ Lp∗ (RN )|∇u ∈ Lp (RN )} be the completion of C0∞ (RN ) with respect
to the norm µZ ¶ p1
||u|| = |∇u|p dx .
RN

Let

K = {u ∈ D1,p (RN )|u ≥ 0}. (2.1)

It is clear that, as a closed subset of D1,p (RN ), K is a complete metric space. The problem
(1.1) has a variational structure, given by the functional I : K → R defined as:
Z Z Z
1 1 λ
I(u) = |∇u|p dx − f (x)u1−α dx − g(x)u1+β dx. (2.2)
p RN 1 − α RN 1 + β RN

With 0 < α < 1, one can easily see that I(u) is continuous but not differentiable. We will
show the existence of multiple solutions for problem (1.1) by using the well-developed critical
point theory for continuous functionals defined on a complete metric spaces. See for instance,
the work of Canino and Degiovanni[11] , Choulli, Deville, Rhandi[12] , Corvellec[13] , Degiovanni,
Marzocchi[14] , Costa, Goncalves[15] , and Guo, Liu[16] and references therein. We say that a
function u ∈ K is a weak solution of the problem (1.1), if f u−α η ∈ L1 (RN ) and
Z Z Z
p−2 −α
|∇u| ∇u∇ηdx − f (x)u ηdx − λ g(x)uβ ηdx = 0, (2.3)
RN RN RN

for any η ∈ D1,p (RN ). It turns out that the critical point of I is nothing but a weak solution
of (1.1). In the following, we first recall some concepts and known results of the critical points
theory for continuous functionals.
 SOLUTIONS FOR SINGULAR p-LAPLACIAN EQUATION IN Rn 599

Let (X, d) be a metric space with metric d and f : X → R be a continuous functional. We

use Br (u) to denote the open ball of center u and radius r.
Definition 2.1 Let f be a continuous functional defined on a complete metric space X.
Denote by |Df |(u) the supermum of the λ0 s in [0, ∞) such that there exist δ > 0, a neighborhood
U of u ∈ X, and a continuous map σ : U × [0, δ] → X satisfying:
(
f (σ(v, t)) ≤ f (v) − λt, (v, t) ∈ U × [0, τ ],
d(σ(v, t), v) ≤ t, (v, t) ∈ U × [0, τ ].

The extended real number |Df |(u) is called the weak slope of f at u. We say that u ∈ X is a
critical point of f if |Df |(u) = 0. We say that c ∈ R is a critical value of f if there exists a
critical point u ∈ X of f with f (u) = c (see [11,14]).
Definition 2.2 Let c ∈ R, f c := {u ∈ X, f (u) ≤ c} be the level set of f . A sequence
{un } ⊂ X is said to be a Palais-Smale sequence at level c ((P S)c -sequence, in short) for f, if
f (un ) → c and |Df |(un ) → 0. We say that f satisfies the Palais -Smale condition at the level
c ((P S)c in short), if any (P S)c sequence possesses a convergent subsequence. We say that f
satisfies the Palais -Smale condition ((P S) in short) if f satisfies the (P S)c condition for all
c ∈ R.
Since u → |Df |(u) is lower semicontinuous, any accumulation point of a (P S) sequence is
clearly a critical point of f.
In order to prove the existence of solutions, we will use the following theorem, which is an
extension of the famous Mountain pass lemma (see [11]):
Theorem 2.3 Let X be a complete metric space, f : X → R be a continuous functional,
(D, S) be a compact pair, and let ψ : S → X be a continuous map such that

Φ = {φ ∈ C(D, X) : φ|S = ψ} 6= ∅.

Assume also that there exists a closed subset A of X such that

inf f ≥ max f, A ∩ ψ(S) = ∅ and A ∩ φ(D) 6= ∅ for all φ ∈ Φ.

A ψ(S)

If f satisfies the Palais-Smale condition at the level

c = inf max f,
φ∈Φ φ(D)

then c is a critical value of f.

3 Multiplicity Results
In this section, we assume g+ 6≡ 0.
Lemma 3.1 Suppose |DI|(u) < +∞, then f u−α η ∈ L1 (RN ) for any η ∈ D1,p (RN ), and
Z
f u−α (v − u)dx
RN
Z Z
≤ |∇u|p−2 ∇u∇(v − u)dx − λ g(x)uβ (v − u)dx + |DI|(u)||v − u||, (3.1)
RN RN

for any v ∈ K.
600 XIANGQING LIU · YUXIA GUO · JIAQUAN LIU

Proof Choose µ > |DI|(u). Assume v ∈ K and v 6= u. We consider the mapping σ :

Bδ (u) × [0, δ] → K by
v−z
σ(z, t) = z + t ,
||v − z||
where δ < 12 ||v − u||. Since ||σ(z, t) − z|| = t, by the definition of |DI|(u), there exists a pair
(z, t) ∈ Bδ (u) × [0, δ] such that
I(σ(z, t)) > I(z) − µt.
Therefore, we have sequences {un } ⊂ K, {tn } ⊂ [0, ∞) such that un → u, tn → 0+, and
µ ¶
v − un
I u n + tn ≥ I(un ) − µtn ,
||v − un ||
or
I(un + sn (v − un )) ≥ I(un ) − µsn ||v − un ||, (3.2)
tn
where sn = → 0+ as n → ∞.
||v−un ||
Divided (3.2) by sn and rewrite it as
Z
1 (un + sn (v − un )1−α − u1−α
n
f (x) dx
1 − α RN sn
Z
1 |∇(un + sn (v − un ))|p − |∇un |p
≤ dx
p RN sn
Z
λ (un + sn (v − un ))1+β − u1+β
n
− g(x) dx + µ||v − un ||. (3.3)
1 + β RN sn
Apply the Fatou’s Lemma to the left hand of (3.3), we obtain
Z
f (x)u−α (v − u)dx
RN
Z
(un + sn (v − un ))1−α − u1−α
n
≤ lim f (x) dx
n→∞ R N sn
Z Z
≤ |∇u|p−2 ∇u∇(v − u)dx − λ g(x)uβ (v − u)dx + µkv − uk.
RN RN

In particular, f u−α v ∈ L1 (RN ), hence f u−α η ∈ L1 (RN ) for any η ∈ D1,p (RN ). Since
µ > |DI|(u) is arbitrary, the lemma is proved.
Lemma 3.2 The functional I satisfies the (P S) condition.
Proof Let {un } ⊂ K be a (P S) sequence, that is I(un ) → c, |DI|(un ) → 0. By Lemma 3.1,
for any v ∈ K, we have
Z
f (x)u−α
n (v − un )dx
N
ZR Z
p−2
≤ |∇un | ∇un ∇(v − un )dx − λ g(x)uβn (v − un )dx + |DI|(un )||v − un ||. (3.4)
RN RN

Choose v = 2un as the test function in (3.4), we have

Z Z Z
f (x)u1−α
n dx ≤ |∇u n |p
dx − λ g(x)u1+β
n dx + |DI|(un )||un ||. (3.5)
RN RN RN
 SOLUTIONS FOR SINGULAR p-LAPLACIAN EQUATION IN Rn 601

Since I(un ) → c,
Z Z Z
1 1 λ
|∇un |p dx − f (x)u1−α
n dx − g(x)u1+β
n dx = c + o(1). (3.6)
p RN 1 − α RN 1 + β RN
It follows from (3.5) and (3.6) that
³1 Z Z
1 ´ p
³ 1 1 ´
− |∇un | dx ≤ − f (x)u1−α
n dx + c + o(1) + o(||un ||)
p 1 + β RN 1 − α 1 + β RN
≤ C||f || p∗ ||un ||1−α + C + o(||un ||),
L p∗ −(1−α)

hence, {un } is bounded in X. Passing to a subsequence, un * u in D1,p (RN ), un → u in

Lqloc (RN ), 1 ≤ q < p∗, and un (x) → u(x) a.e., x ∈ RN . Choose v = um as the test function in
(3.4), we have
Z
f (x)u−α
n (um − un )dx
RN
Z Z
≤ |∇un |p−2 ∇un ∇(um − un ) − λ g(x)uβn (um − un )dx + o(1). (3.7)
RN RN
By changing the role of um and un , we have a similar inequality. By adding the two inequalities,
we have
Z Z
(|∇un |p−2 ∇un − |∇um |p−2 ∇um , ∇un − ∇um ) − f (u−α −α
n − um )(un − um )dx
RN RN
Z
≤ g(x)(uβn − uβm )(un − um )dx + o(1).
RN
p∗
Note that un → u in Lqloc (RN ), un → u, a.e. and {un } is bounded in Lp∗ (RN ), f ∈ L p∗−(1−α) ,
p∗
g ∈ L p∗−(1+β) , we have
Z
lim g(x)(uβn − uβm )(un − um )dx = 0.
n→∞ RN
Now, Z
lim (|∇un |p−2 ∇un − |∇um |p−2 ∇um , ∇un − ∇um )dx = 0.
n→∞ RN
R
By a standard argument, we have lim RN |∇un −∇um |p dx = 0, that is, un → u in D1,p (RN ).
n→∞
Lemma 3.3 If |DI|(u) = 0, then u is a weak solution of the problem (1.1).
Proof By Lemma 3.1, f u−α φ ∈ L1 (RN ) for any φ ∈ D1,p (RN ). For s ∈ R, take v = (u+sφ)+
as the test function in (3.1). Since |DI|(u) = 0, we have
Z
0≤ |∇u|p−2 ∇u∇((u + sφ)+ − u)dx
R N
Z Z
− f (x)u−α ((u + sφ)+ − u)dx − g(x)uβ ((u + sφ)+ − u)dx
RN RN
½Z Z Z ¾
p−2 −α β
=s |∇u| ∇u∇φdx − f (x)u φdx − g(x)u φdx
N RN RN
Z R Z
− |∇u|p−2 ∇u∇(u + sφ)dx + f (x)u−α (u + sφ)dx
u+sφ<0 u+sφ<0
Z
+ g(x)uβ (u + sφ)dx
u+sφ<0
602 XIANGQING LIU · YUXIA GUO · JIAQUAN LIU

½Z Z Z ¾
p−2 −α β
≤s |∇u| ∇u∇φdx − f (x)u φdx − g(x)u φdx
N RN RN
ZR Z
−s |∇u|p−2 ∇u∇φdx + 2|s| |g(x)|uβ |φ|dx. (3.8)
u+sφ<0 u+sφ<0

Since ∇u(x) = 0 for a.e. x ∈ Ω with u(x) = 0, and

meas {x|u(x) + sφ(x) < 0, u(x) > 0} → 0 as s → 0,

we have
¯Z ¯ Z
¯ ¯
¯ |∇u| p−2
∇u∇φdx¯¯ = |∇u|p−2 ∇u∇φdx → 0 as s → 0.
¯
u+sφ<0 u+sφ<0,u>0

Similarly
Z Z
β
|g(x)|u |φ|dx = |g(x)|uβ |φ|dx → 0 as s → 0.
u+sφ<0 u+sφ<0,u>0

So,
½Z Z Z ¾
p−2 −α β
0≤s |∇u| ∇u∇φdx − f (x)u φdx − g(x)u φdx + o(s) as s → 0,
RN RN RN

and
Z Z Z
|∇u|p−2 ∇u∇φdx − f (x)u−α φdx − g(x)uβ φdx = 0, ∀φ ∈ D1,p (RN ).
RN RN RN

Proof of Theorem 1.1

By the assumptions on f, g, we have
Z Z Z
1 p 1 1−α λ
I(u) = |∇u| dx − f (x)u dx − g(x)u1+β dx
p RN 1 − α RN 1 + β RN
1 1 λ
≥ ||u||p − ||f || p∗−(1−α)
p∗ ||u||1−α
p∗ − ||g+ || p∗−(1+β)
p∗ ||u||1+β
p∗
p 1−α L 1+β L
1 1 1−α λ 1+β
≥ ||u||p − ||f || p∗−(1−α)
p∗ S − p ||u||1−α − ||g+ || p∗−(1+β)
p∗ S − p ||u||1+β ,
p 1−α L 1+β L

where S is the Sobolev constant for the embedding D1,p (RN ) ,→ Lp∗ (RN ), namely
½ R ¯ ¾
RN
|∇u|p dx ¯¯ 1,p N
S = inf R p ¯u ∈ D (R ), u 6= 0 .
( RN |u|p∗ dx) p∗

We define a function h : R+ 7→ R
1 p a λ
h(r) = r − r1−α − br1+β ,
p 1−α 1+β
where 1−α 1+β
a = ||f || p∗ S− p , b = ||g+ || p∗ S− p .
L p∗−(1−α) L p∗−(1+β)
 SOLUTIONS FOR SINGULAR p-LAPLACIAN EQUATION IN Rn 603

Consider the following system of r and λ:


 h(r) = 1 rp − a r1−α − λ br1+β = 0,

p 1−α 1+β

 h0 (r) = rp−1 − ar−α − λbrβ = 0.

We have a solution pair (r∗ , Λ∗ ). If λ ≤ Λ∗ , then on the sphere Sr∗ = {u|||u|| = r∗ },

1 p a λ (Λ∗ − λ)b 1+β

I(u) ≥ r − r1−α − br1+β = r∗ ≥ 0.
p ∗ 1−α ∗ 1+β ∗ 1+β
R R
Choose φ0 , φ1 such that RN h(x)φ1−α 0 dx > 0, and RN g(x)φ1+β 1 dx > 0. Now, choose 0 <
s0 << r∗ << s1 , such that s0 ||φ0 || < r∗ , I(s0 φ0 ) < 0; s1 ||φ1 || > r∗ and I(s1 φ1 ) < 0. Then,
there is a local minimizer u0 inside Br∗ with I(u0 ) < 0. Define

Γ = {γ|γ : [0, 1] → K, γ(0) = s0 φ0 , γ(1) = s1 φ1 }

³ Λ −λ ´
∗
c = inf sup I(u) ≥ br∗1+β
γ∈Γ u∈γ 1+β

Then, by the Mountain pass lemma, c is a critical value of I, and there is a critical point of u1
with I(u1 ) = c ≥ 0.
Remark 3.4 Λ∗ has a explicit expression
β+α
S p−(1−α)
Λ∗ = A β+1−p ,
||f || p−(1−α)
p∗ ||g+ || p∗−(1+β)
p∗
p∗−(1−α)

where A = A(α, β, p) is a constant.

For p = 2 in [10], there is a similar formula with a slight different coefficient A.

4 Nonexistence Result for Large λ

In this section, we assume g ≥ 0 and h = min(f, g) 6≡ 0. We prove that for large λ the
problem(1.1) has no solutions. Suppose that u is a weak solution of (1.1). Consider any
η ∈ D1,p (RN ), η ≥ 0 as the test function in (3.3). By Holder inequality we have
Z Z Z
p−2 −α
|∇u| ∇u∇ηdx = f (x)u ηdx + λ g(x)uβ ηdx
RN RN RN
Z
≥ h(x)(u−α + λuβ )ηdx
RN
α Z
(α + β)λ α+β
≥ β α
h(x)up−1 ηdx. (4.1)
β α+β α α+β RN

Now, we consider a minimization problem

½Z Z ¾
inf |∇u|p dx|u ∈ D1,p (RN ), p
h(x)|u| dx = 1 . (4.2)
RN RN
604 XIANGQING LIU · YUXIA GUO · JIAQUAN LIU

Lemma 4.1 The above infimum is assumed at a positive function φ ∈ D1,p (RN ), which
satisfies the following eigenvalue problem
Z Z
|∇φ|p−2 ∇φ∇ηdx = λ1 h(x)φp−1 ηdx, ∀η ∈ D1,p (RN ), (4.3)
RN RN

where λ1 is the infinmum, it is a simple eigenvalue.

Proof The argument is standard. Let R {un } be a minimizing Rsequence, without loss of
generality, we can assume that un ≥ 0, RN h(x)upn dx = 1, and RN |∇un |p dx → λ1 .{un }
is bounded in D1,p (RN ), passing to a subsequence, un * φ in D1,p (RN ). Since h ≤ g ∈
p∗
p∗ p∗
R
L p∗−(1+β) , p∗−(1+β) > p∗−p = Np , the map u ∈ D1,p (RN ) 7→ RN h(x)upn dx is weak continuous,
and Z Z
h(x)φp dx = lim h(x)upn dx = 1.
RN n→∞ RN
By lower semi-continuous,
Z Z
λ1 ≤ |∇φ|p dx ≤ lim |∇un |p dx = λ1 .
RN n→∞ RN

Therefore, φ is a minimizer. Similar to the eigenvalue problem in bounded domain, the first
eigenvalue λ1 is simple (see [17]).
p∗
Remark 4.2 By the weak Harnack inequality[18] , φ is strictly positive. Since h ∈ L p∗−(1+β) ,
p∗
and p∗−(1+β) > Np , by the Morse iteration, φ ∈ L∞ (RN ).
Lemma 4.3 Let u ∈ D1,p (RN ), u ≥ 0 and satisfy for all η ∈ D1,p (RN ), η ≥ 0,
Z Z
|∇u|p−2 ∇u∇ηdx ≥ µ h(x)up−1 ηdx (4.4)
RN RN

with µ > λ1 . Then u ≡ 0.

Proof Suppose u 6≡ 0, then by the weak Harnack inequality u is strictly positive. We adopt
the argument in [17]. For ² > 0. Let φ² = φ + ², u² = u + ², where φ > 0 is the eigenfunctions
corresponding to the first eigenvalue λ1 . Define
 p
 φ − u² , if φ ≥ u,
²
η1 = φp−1
²

0, if φ < u.

then η1 ≥ 0, η1 ∈ D1,p (RN ).

 h ³ ∇u
 ∇φ − up ∇φ² + p 1 ² ∇φ² ´i
² − , if φ ≥ u,
∇η1 = ²
φp² φp−1
² u² φ²

0, if φ < u.

Take η1 as the test function in (4.3), we have

Z
φp−1
λ1 h(x) p−1 (φp² − up² )dx
φ>u φ²
Z h¯ ∇φ ¯p ¯ ∇φ ¯p−2 ∇φ ³ ∇u
¯ ²¯ ¯ ²¯ ² ² ∇φ² ´i
= |∇φ² |p − up² ¯ ¯ + p¯ ¯ − (4.5)
φ>u φ² φ² φ² u² φ²
 SOLUTIONS FOR SINGULAR p-LAPLACIAN EQUATION IN Rn 605

Similarly, we define
 p
 φ²
− u² , if φ ≥ u,
η2 = up−1
²
 0, if φ < u.
 h ∇u
 ² 1 ³ ∇φ² ∇u² ´i
∇u² − up² p + p p−1 − , if φ ≥ u,
∇η2 = u² u² φ² u²
 0, if φ < u.

Then, η2 ≥ 0 and η ∈ D1,p (RN ), since φ² ∈ L∞ (RN ). Take η2 as the test function in (4.4),
Z
up−1
µ h(x) p−1 (φp² − up² )dx
φ>u u²
Z n h¯ ∇u ¯p ¯ ∇u ¯p−2 ∇u ³ ∇φ
¯ ²¯ ¯ ²¯ ² ² ∇u² ´io
≤ − |∇u² |p + φp² ¯ ¯ + p¯ ¯ − dx. (4.6)
φ>u u² u² u² φ² u²

Subtract (4.6) from (4.5), we obtain

Z ³ φp−1 up−1 ´
λ1 p−1 − µ p−1 (φp² − up² )dx
φ>u φ² u²
Z n¯ ∇φ ¯p ¯ ∇u ¯p ¯ ∇u ¯p−2 ∇u ³ ∇φ
¯ ²¯ ¯ ²¯ ¯ ²¯ ² ² ∇u² ´o
≥ φp² ¯ ¯ −¯ ¯ − p¯ ¯ − dx
φ>u φ² u² u² u² φ² u²
Z n¯ ∇u ¯p ¯ ∇φ ¯p ¯ ∇φ ¯p−2 ∇φ ³ ∇u
¯ ²¯ ¯ ²¯ ¯ ²¯ ² ² ∇φ² ´o
+ up² ¯ ¯ −¯ ¯ − p¯ ¯ − dx
φ>u u² φ² φ² φ² u² φ²
≥ 0, (4.7)

where we have used the inequality

|a|p ≥ |b|p + p|b|p−2 b(a − b), for a, b ∈ RN .

Let ² → 0, since φ > 0, u > 0, we obtain

Z
(λ1 − µ) (φp − up )dx ≥ 0. (4.8)
φ>u

We can replace φ by nφ in (4.7) for all n > 0. Let n large enough, we arrive at a contradiction.
Now, we have the following non-existence result.
Propositions 4.3 Assume g ≥ 0 and h = min(f, g) 6≡ 0. Then, there exists Λ∗ such that
for λ > Λ∗ , the problem (1.1) has no solutions.
Proof Suppose that u is a weak solution for the problem (1.1). Then, by (4.1), for any
η ∈ D1,p (RN ), η ≥ 0,
Z Z
p−2
|∇u| ∇u∇ηdx ≥ µ h(x)up−1 ηdx, (4.9)
RN RN

α β α
(α+β)λ α+β α+β
α α+β α+β
where µ = β α . Set Λ∗ = ( λ1 β α+β ) α . Then for λ > Λ∗ , µ > λ1 . By Lemma 4.2,
β α+β α α+β
u ≡ 0.
606 XIANGQING LIU · YUXIA GUO · JIAQUAN LIU

5 Super and Sub-Solution Method

In this section we assume g ≥ 0, g 6≡ 0. Recall that a function ψ ∈ K is a (weak) super
solution of (1.1)λ , if for any η ∈ D1,p (RN ), η ≥ 0, f ψ −α η ∈ L1 (RN ), and
Z Z Z
|∇ψ|p−2 ∇ψ∇ηdx − f (x)ψ −α ηdx − λ g(x)ψ β ηdx ≥ 0. (5.1)
RN RN RN

Here and in the following, we denote (1.1) by (1.1)λ to emphasize the dependence of λ. A
function ψ ∈ K is a (weak) sub-solution of (1.1)λ , if for any η ∈ D1,p (RN ), η ≥ 0, f ψ −α η ∈
L1 (RN ), and
Z Z Z
p−2 −α
|∇ψ| ∇ψ∇ηdx − f (x)ψ ηdx − λ g(x)ψ β ηdx ≤ 0. (5.2)
RN RN RN

Using the super and sub-solution method, we prove the following result.
Proposition 5.1 Assume h = min(g, f ) ≥ 0, h 6≡ 0. Then, there exists Λ > 0 such that
the problem (1.1)λ has at least one strictly positive solution for 0 < λ ≤ Λ and no solutions for
λ > Λ.
We first prove the following result.
Proposition 5.2 Let φ, ψ be sub-solution and supersolution of (1.1)λ , respectively, and
φ ≤ ψ. Then, there exists a weak solution u of (1.1)λ in the order interval [φ, ψ], that is
φ ≤ u ≤ ψ. Moreover u is the minimizer of I in [φ, ψ].
Proof We follow the argument in [19], for u ∈ [φ, ψ], we have
Z Z Z
1 1 1
I(u) = |∇u|p dx − f (x)u1−α dx − g(x)u1+β dx
p RN 1 − α RN 1 + β RN
Z Z
1 1−α 1
≥− f (x)ψ dx − g(x)ψ 1+β dx.
1 − α RN 1 + β RN

I is bounded from below. Let {un } ⊂ [φ, ψ] be a minimizing sequence, lim I(un ) = m :=
n→∞
inf{I(u)|u ∈ [φ, ψ]}. ||un || is bounded. Passing to a subsequence, we assume Rthat un * u in
D1,p (RN ), u(x), a.e. x ∈ RN . Hence, u ∈ [φ, ψ]. Since the maps u 7→ RN f (x)u1−α dx
R un (x) →1−α
and u 7→ RN g(x)u dx for u ∈ D1,p (RN ) are weakly continuous. We have I(u) ≤ lim I(un ) =
n→∞
m. u is a minimizer of I in [φ, ψ]. We show that u is a weak solution. The proof is similar to
that of Lemmas 3.1 and 3.2. Since [φ, ψ] is a convex set, for any v ∈ [φ, ψ], we have

I(u) ≤ I(u + s(v − u)), 0 ≤ s ≤ 1, v ∈ [φ, ψ]. (5.3)

As in the proof of Lemma 3.7, it follows from (5.3) that for any v ∈ [φ, ψ],
Z Z Z
|∇u|p−2 ∇u∇(v − u)dx − f (x)u−α (v − u)dx − g(x)uβ (v − u)dx ≥ 0. (5.4)
RN RN RN

Now, let η be an arbitrary function in D1,p (RN ). For s ∈ R, we define


 ψ, if u + sη > ψ,
v = u + sη, if φ ≤ u + sη ≤ ψ, (5.5)

φ, if u + sη < φ.
 SOLUTIONS FOR SINGULAR p-LAPLACIAN EQUATION IN Rn 607

Then v ∈ [φ, ψ]. Take such a function as the test function in (5.4), we obtain
Z
0≤ {|∇u|p−2 ∇u∇(ψ − u) − f (x)u−α (ψ − u) − g(x)uβ (ψ − u)}dx
u+sη>ψ
Z
+s {|∇u|2 ∇u∇η − f (x)u−α η − g(x)uβ η}dx
φ≤u+sη≤ψ
Z
+ {|∇u|p−2 ∇u∇(φ − u) − f (x)u−α (φ − u) − g(x)uβ (φ − u)}dx
u+sη<φ
Z
= {|∇u|p−2 ∇u∇(ψ − u − sη) − f (x)u−α (ψ − u − sη) − g(x)uβ (ψ − u − sη)}dx
u+sη>ψ
Z
+s {|∇u|2 ∇u∇η − f (x)u−α η − g(x)uβ η}dx
RN
Z
+ {|∇u|p−2 ∇u∇(φ − u − sη) − f (x)u−α (φ − u − sη) − g(x)uβ (φ − u − sη)}dx.
u+sη<φ
(5.6)
Take η = (u + sη − ψ)+ as the test function in (5.1), we have
Z
©
0≤ |∇ψ|p−2 ∇ψ∇(u + sη − ψ) − f (x)ψ −α (u + sη − ψ)
u+sη>ψ
ª
−g(x)ψ β (u + sη − ψ) dx. (5.7)

Take η = (φ − u − sη)+ as the test function in (5.2), we have

Z
0≤ {|∇φ|p−2 ∇φ∇(u + sη − φ) − f (x)φ−α (u + sη − φ)
u+sη<φ

−g(x)φβ (u + sη − φ)}dx. (5.8)

Adding (5.6), (5.7), and (5.8), we obtain

Z
0≤s {|∇u|2 ∇u∇η − f (x)u−α η − g(x)uβ η}dx
RN
Z
− (|∇u|p−2 ∇u − |∇ψ|p−2 ∇ψ, ∇u − ∇ψ)dx
u+sη>ψ
Z
−s (|∇u|p−2 ∇u − |∇ψ|p−2 ∇ψ, ∇η)dx
u+sη>ψ
Z Z
+ f (x)(ψ −α − u−α )(ψ − u − sη)dx + g(x)(ψ β − uβ )(ψ − u − sη)dx
u+sη>ψ u+sη>ψ
Z
− (|∇u|p−2 ∇u − |∇φ|p−2 ∇φ, ∇u − ∇φ)dx
u+sη<φ
Z
−s (|∇u|p−2 ∇u − |∇φ|p−2 ∇φ, ∇η)dx
u+sη<φ
Z Z
+ f (x)(φ−α − u−α )(φ − u − sη)dx + g(x)(φβ − uβ )(φ − u − sη)dx
u+sη<φ u+sη<φ
608 XIANGQING LIU · YUXIA GUO · JIAQUAN LIU

Z
≤s {|∇u|2 ∇u∇η − f (x)u−α η − g(x)uβ η}dx
ZRN
−s (|∇u|p−2 ∇u − |∇ψ|p−2 ∇ψ, ∇η)dx
Z u+sη>ψ Z
+ f (x)(ψ −α − u−α )(ψ − u − sη)dx + g(x)(ψ β − uβ )(ψ − u − sη)dx
Z
u+sη>ψ u+sη>ψ

−s (|∇u|p−2 ∇u − |∇φ|p−2 ∇φ, ∇η)dx

Z u+sη<φ Z
+ f (x)(φ−α − u−α )(φ − u − sη)dx + g(x)(φβ − uβ )(φ − u − sη)dx.
u+sη<φ u+sη<φ
(5.9)
We have
Z
(|∇u|p−2 ∇u − |∇ψ|p−2 ∇ψ, ∇η)dx
u+sη>ψ
Z
= (|∇u|p−2 ∇u − |∇ψ|p−2 ∇ψ, ∇η)dx = o(1) as s → 0,
u+sη>ψ>u

since ∇u = ∇ψ for a.e. x with u(x) = ψ(x) and

meas {x|u(x) + sη(x) > ψ(x) > u(x)} → 0 as s → 0.

Similarly, Z
(|∇u|p−2 ∇u − |∇φ|p−2 ∇φ, ∇η)dx = o(1) as s → 0
u+sη<φ

and ¯Z ¯
¯ ¯
¯ f (x)(ψ −α
− u −α
)(ψ − u − sη)dx ¯
¯ ¯
u+sη>ψ
Z
≤2 f (x)(u−α − ψ −α )|s||η|dx
u+sη>ψ
Z
= 2|s| f (x)(u−α − ψ −α )|η|dx = o(s).
u+sη>ψ>u

In the same way, we can show that all the terms in (5.9), except the first term, are of order
o(s). It follows that
Z
0≤s {|∇u|p−2 ∇u∇η − f (x)u−α η − g(x)uβ η}dx + o(s).
RN

Since s is arbitrary,
Z
{|∇u|p−2 ∇u∇η − f (x)u−α η − g(x)uβ η}dx = 0.
RN

Lemma 5.3 There exists a unique positive solution satisfying the following problem:
Z Z
|∇u|p−2 ∇u∇ηdx − f (x)u−α ηdx = 0, for all η ∈ D1,p (RN ). (5.10)
RN RN

Moreover, let z be a posirive solution of the problem (1.1)λ with λ > 0, then u ≤ z.
 SOLUTIONS FOR SINGULAR p-LAPLACIAN EQUATION IN Rn 609

Proof Theorem 1.1 says that for λ small the problem (1.1) has at least two nonnegative
solutions, of which one is a local minimizer. Obviously,
R such a minimizer
R exists even for λ = 0.
Moreover for λ = 0, the functional I(u) = p1 |∇u|p dx − 1−α 1
RN
f (x)u1−α dx is convex and
the minimizer is unique and global. By the Harnack inequality, this nonnegative solution is
strictly positive. Let z be any positive solution for the problem (1.1)λ :
Z
{|∇z|p−2 ∇z∇η − f (x)z −α η − λg(x)z β η}dx = 0, for all η ∈ D1,p (RN ).
RN

Choose η = (u − z)+ as the test function in both (5.9) and (5.11), we obtain
Z Z
(|∇u|p−2 ∇u − |∇z|p−2 ∇z, ∇u − ∇z)dx − f (x)(u−α − z −α )(u − z)
u>z u>z
Z
= 7−λ g(x)z β (u − z)dx ≤ 0.
u>z

Recall that we assume g ≥ 0 in this section, hence u ≤ z.

Proof of Proposition 5.1
Denote Λ = sup{λ > 0|the problem (1.1) has at least one solution}.
By Theorem 2.1 and Proposition 4.3, Λ is well defined and bounded. Suppose that µ < Λ
and the problem (1.1)µ has a solution uµ . Denote by u0 the unique solution of the problem
(5.10). By Lemma 5.4, u0 ≤ uµ . Now for 0 < λ < µ, u0 and uµ are the sub-solution and
super-solutions of the problem (1.1)λ respectively. By Proposition 5.2, the problem (1.1) has a
solution uλ in the interval [u0 , uµ ]. Moreover uλ is obtained by minimizing the functional
Z Z Z
1 1 λ
Iλ (u) = |∇u|p dx − f (x)u1−α dx − g(x)u1+β dx
p RN 1 − α RN 1 + β RN

in [u0 , uµ ], in particular Iλ (uλ ) ≤ Iλ (u0 ), here we denote by Iλ the functional to emphasize the
dependence on the parameter λ. Now for 0 < λ < Λ, the problem (1.1)λ has a solution uλ ,
which satisfies Iλ (uλ ) ≤ Iλ (u0 ). For a sequence {λn } convergence to Λ, {uλn } will converge to
a solution of (1.1)λ . In fact, we have
Z Z Z
1 1 λ
Iλ (uλ ) = |∇uλ |p dx − f (x)u1−α
λ dx − g(x)u1+β
λ dx
p RN 1 − α RN 1 + β RN
≤ Iλ (u0 )
Z
1
≤ |∇u0 |p dx = c (5.11)
p RN
Z Z Z
|∇uλ |p−2 ∇uλ ∇ηdx − f (x)u−α
λ ηdx− λ g(x)uβλ ηdx = 0,
RN RN RN
for all η ∈ D1,p (RN ). (5.12)

It follows from (5.11) and (5.12) that {uλn } is bounded in D1,p (RN ). For a sequence λn → Λ,
we can assume that {uλn } weakly converges to uΛ in D1,p (RN ). As in the proof of Lemma 3.2,
consequently, {uλn } strongly converges to uΛ as λn → Λ, which is a solution of the problem
(1.1)Λ .
610 XIANGQING LIU · YUXIA GUO · JIAQUAN LIU

Existence of the second solution for λ < Λ

Proposition 5.3 Let 0 < λ < µ, φ = u0 and ψ = uµ be solutions of the problems (5.10)
and the problem (1.1)µ , respectively. Let u be the solution of the problem (1.1)λ , obtained by
minimizing the functional Iλ in the interval [φ, ψ]. Then u is a local minimizer of Iλ in the set
Kφ = {v ∈ D1,p (RN )|v(x) ≥ φ(x), a.e. x ∈ RN },
and there exists ρ0 > 0 such that
Iλ (u) < inf{Iλ (v) : v ∈ Kφ , ||(v − ψ)+ || = ρ} for all ρ ∈ [0, ρ0 ] (5.13)
provided one of the following conditions holds:
1) g ≥ 0, g 6≡ 0, and β > 1,
2) g > 0 and β = 1.
Proof We follow the argument in Theorem 3 (see [19]). For any v ∈ Kφ , set
½
ψ, v ≥ ψ,
Π(v) =
v, v ≤ ψ.
Then Π(v) ∈ [φ, ψ] and Iλ (π(v)) ≥ Iλ (u), hence
Iλ (v) − Iλ (u)
≥ Iλ (v) − Iλ (π(v))
Z Z
1 p p 1
= (|∇v| − |∇ψ| )dx − f (x)(v 1−α − ψ 1−α )dx
p v≥ψ 1 − α v≥ψ
Z
λ
− g(x)(v 1+β − ψ 1+β )dx
1 + β v≥ψ
Z Z
≥ |∇ψ|p−2 (∇ψ, ∇v − ∇ψ)dx − f (x)ψ −α (v − ψ)dx
v≥ψ v≥ψ
Z
−λ g(x)ψ β (v − ψ)dx
v≥ψ
Z
1
+ {|∇v|p − |∇ψ|p − p|∇ψ|p−2 (∇ψ, ∇v − ∇ψ)}dx
p v≥ψ
Z
λ
− g(x){v 1+β − ψ 1+β − (1 + β)ψ β (v − ψ)}dx. (5.14)
1 + β v≥ψ
Since ψ is a solution of the problem (1.1)λ .
Z Z Z
|∇ψ|p−2 (∇ψ, ∇v − ∇ψ)dx − f (x)ψ −α (v − ψ)dx − λ g(x)ψ β (v − ψ)dx
v≥ψ v≥ψ v≥ψ
Z Z Z
p−2 −α
= |∇ψ| (∇ψ, ∇(v − ψ)+ )dx − f (x)ψ (v − ψ)+ dx − λ g(x)ψ β (v − ψ)dx
R N R N R N
Z
= (µ − λ) g(x)ψ β (v − ψ)+ dx.
RN
(5.15)
On the other hand for β ≥ 1.
|v 1+β − ψ 1+β − (1 + β)ψ β (v − ψ)| ≤ cv β−1 (v − ψ)2
≤ c(v − ψ)1+β + ψ β−1 (v − ψ)2
≤ ²ψ β (v − ψ) + c² (v − ψ)1+β .
 SOLUTIONS FOR SINGULAR p-LAPLACIAN EQUATION IN Rn 611

Hence, ¯Z ¯
¯ ¯
¯ g(x){v 1+β
−ψ 1+β
− (1 + β)(v − ψ)}dx¯¯
¯
v≥ψ
Z Z
≤ c² g(x)(v − ψ)1+β + ² g(x)ψ β−1 (v − ψ)+ dx (5.16)
+
RN Z RN
≤ c² ||(v − ψ)+ ||1+β + ² g(x)ψ β−1 (v − ψ)+ dx.
RN
To estimate the other term in (5.14), we distinguish p ≥ 2 and 1 < p < 2. We need the following
inequalities in [17].
If p ≥ 2, then

|w2 |p ≥ |w1 |p + p|w1 |p−2 (w1 , w2 − w1 ) + cp |w2 − w1 |p (5.17)

for all w1 and w2 in RN .

If 1 < p < 2, then
|w2 − w1 |2
|w2 |p ≥ |w1 |p + p|w1 |p−2 (w1 , w2 − w1 ) + cp (5.18)
|w1 |2−p + |w2 |2−p

for all w1 and w2 in RN .

By (5.14), (5.15), (5.16), and (5.17), for p ≥ 2 we have
Z
Iλ (v) − Iλ (u) ≥ cp ||(v − ψ)+ ||p + (µ − λ − ²) g(x)ψ β−1 (v − ψ)+ dx − c² ||(v − ψ)+ ||1+β .
RN

Take ² < µ − λ and ρ0 small enough. It follows that

Iλ (v) − Iλ (u) ≥ c||(v − ψ)+ ||p if ||(v − ψ)+ || ≤ ρ0 . (5.19)

Now, we consider the case 1 < p < 2. By (5.18)

Z
1
{|∇v|p − |∇ψ|p − p|∇ψ|p−2 (∇ψ, ∇v − ∇ψ)}dx
p v≥ψ
Z
|∇(v − ψ)|2
≥ cp 2−p + |∇ψ|2−p
dx
v≥ψ |∇v|
Z
|∇(v − ψ)|2
≥c 2−p + |∇ψ|2−p
dx
v≥ψ |∇(v − ψ)|
R 2
( v≥ψ |∇(v − ψ)|p ) p
≥c R 2−p R 2−p
( v≥ψ |∇(v − ψ)|p ) 2 + ( v≥ψ |∇ψ|p ) 2
||(v − ψ)+ ||2
≥c
||(v − ψ)+ ||2−p + ||ψ||2−p
≥ c||(v − ψ)+ ||2 . (5.20)

If β > 1, by (5.14), (5.15), (5.16), and (5.20), we have

Iλ (v) − Iλ (u) Z
2
≥ c||(v − ψ)+ || + (µ − λ − ²) g(x)ψ β−1 (v − ψ)+ dx − c² ||(v − ψ)+ ||1+β
RN
≥ c||(v − ψ)+ ||2 , for ||(v − ψ)+ || ≤ ρ0 , (5.21)
612 XIANGQING LIU · YUXIA GUO · JIAQUAN LIU

provided µ − λ − ² ≥ 0 and ρ0 small enough.

If β = 1, by (5.14), (5.15), (5.16), and (5.20), we have

Iλ (v) − Iλ (u)
Z Z
2
≥ c1 ||(v − ψ)+ || + (µ − λ − ²) g(x)(v − ψ)+ dx − c² g(x)(v − ψ)2+ dx. (5.22)
RN RN
1 N 2
Take
R ² ≤ 2 (µ − λ). 2Here, we need the assumption g(x) > 0, a.e. x ∈ R . If c1 ||(v − ψ)+ || ≥
2c² RN g(x)(v − ψ)+ dx, we are done. Otherwise assume,
Z
2
c1 ||(v − ψ)+ || ≤ 2c² g(x)(v − ψ)2+ dx. (5.23)
RN

Define
½Z ¯ Z ¾
¯ 1,p N 2 2c² 2
γ = inf g(x)ψwdx¯w ∈ D (R ), w ≥ 0, ||w|| ≤ , g(x)w dx = 1 . (5.24)
RN c1 RN
R
Since the functional D1,p 3 w 7→ RN g(x)w2 dx is weakly continuous, γ is positive, by (5.23)
and (5.24), Z Z
1
g(x)ψ(v − ψ)+ dx ≥ γ( g(x)(v − ψ)2+ dx) 2 , (5.25)
RN RN
and
Iλ (v) − Iλ (u)
Z µZ ¶2
2 c²
≥ c1 ||(v − ψ)+ || + (µ − λ − ²) g(x)ψ(v − ψ)+ dx − 2 g(x)ψ(v − ψ)+ dx
RN γ RN
1
≥ c1 ||(v − ψ)+ ||2 , for ||(v − ψ)+ || ≤ ρ0
2
provided ρ0 is small enough.
Existence of the second positive solution in the case β ≥ 1
We consider the problem under the same assumptions of Proposition 5.3. We have already
had a local minimizer φ and a super-solution ψ ≥ φ, and

I(φ) < inf{I(v)|||(v − ψ)+ || = ρ, v ≥ φ}. (5.26)

Consider the function I := IKφ in the set

Kφ = {v ∈ D1,p (RN )|v ≥ φ}.

Kφ is a complete metric space and one can see that Lemmas 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3 are still true. For
example, in a way similar to the proof of Proposition 5.2, we can prove that if |DIKφ |(u) = 0,
then u is a weak solution of the problem (1.1).
Choose v = ψ + sφ, s large enough. Then ||(v − ψ)+ || = s||φ|| > ρ and I(v) < 0. By
the Mountain pass lemma, we obtain a critical value large than I(φ), hence a second positive
solution.

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