Moroccan J. of Pure and Appl. Anal.

(MJPAA)
Volume x(x), xxxx, Pages 000–000
ISSN: Online xxxx-xxxx - Print xxxx-xxxx
Some Estimations About the ϕ-Order of Meromorphic

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Solutions of Linear Differential Equations in the Complex

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Plane
Mansouria SAIDANI1 , Benharrat BELAÏDI 2

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Abstract. In this paper, we study the growth of meromorphic solutions of differential equations

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f ( k ) + A k −1 ( z ) f ( k −1) + · · · + A 1 ( z ) f 0 + A 0 ( z ) f = 0
and
f ( k ) + A k −1 ( z ) f ( k −1) + · · · + A 1 ( z ) f 0 + A 0 ( z ) f = F ( z )
with meromorphic coefficients of finite ϕ-order in the complex plane. By considering the concept of ϕ-order,
i
we will extend and improve some previous results due to Belaı̈di [1], Saidani and Belaı̈di [13].
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Mathematics Subject Classification (2010). 34M10, 30D35.
Key words and phrases. linear differential equations, meromorphic function, entire function, ϕ-order, lower
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ϕ-order.
ee

1. Introduction

In this paper, we shall assume that the reader is familiar with the fundamental results and
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the standard notations of the Nevanlinna value distribution theory of meromorphic functions,
see [6] ,[7], [16] , such as T (r, f ) , N (r, f ) , m (r, f ) . For the definition of the iterated order of
Received date - Accepted: date.
Fo

1Department of Mathematics.
Laboratory of Pure and Applied Mathematics
University of Mostaganem (UMAB)
B. P. 227 Mostaganem-(Algeria) e-mail: saidaniman@yahoo.fr
2 Department of Mathematics.
Laboratory of Pure and Applied Mathematics
University of Mostaganem (UMAB)
B. P. 227 Mostaganem-(Algeria)
e-mail: benharrat.belaidi@univ-mosta.dz .

1
2 M. SAIDANI AND B. BELAÏDI

meromorphic function, we use  the same definition as in [11], [12]. For all r ∈ R, we define
exp1 r := e and exp p+1 r := exp exp p r , p ∈ N. We also define for all r ∈ (0, +∞) sufficiently
r

large log1 r := log r and log p+1 r := log (logP r ) , p ∈ N.

Definition 1.1 ([11],[12]) Let f be a meromorphic function. Then the iterated p-order ρ p ( f ) of f is
defined by
log p T (r, f )
ρ p ( f ) := lim sup , (p ≥ 1 is an integer).

y
r →+∞ log r
For p = 1, this notation is called order and for p = 2 hyper-order. If f is an entire function, then the

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iterated p-order ρ p ( f ) of f is defined by
log p T (r, f ) log p+1 M (r, f )

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ρ p ( f ) := lim sup = lim sup , (p ≥ 1 is an integer),
r →+∞ log r r →+∞ log r
where M (r, f ) = max|z|=r | f (z) |.

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Definition 1.2 ([11]) The finiteness degree of the order of a meromorphic function f is defined by

 0, for f rational,
 min  j ∈ N : ρ f < ∞ , for f transcendental for which

j( )
i ( f ) :=
some j ∈ N with ρ j ( f ) < ∞ exists,


+∞,
i for f with ρ j ( f ) = +∞, ∀ j ∈ N.
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

Definition 1.3 ([11]) Let n(r, a) be the unintegrated counting function for the sequence of a-points of
a meromorphic function f . Then the iterated convergence exponent of a-points of f is defined by
rR

log p n(r, a)
λ p ( f , a) := lim sup , ( p ≥ 1 is an integer) .
r →+∞ log r
In the definition of the iterated convergence exponent, we may replace n(r, a) with the integrated count-
ee

ing function N (r, a), and we have

log p N (r, a)
λ p ( f , a) := lim sup , ( p ≥ 1 is an integer) ,
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r →+∞ log r
 
1
where N (r, a) = N (r, a, f ) = N r, f −a . If a = 0, then the iterated convergence exponent of the
zero-sequence is defined by
Fo

 
log+
p N r, 1
f
λ p ( f ) := lim sup , ( p ≥ 1 is an integer) ,
r →+∞ log r
 
where N r, 1f is the integrated counting of zeros of f in {z : |z| ≤ r }. Similarly, if a = ∞, then the
iterated convergence exponent of the pole-sequence is defined by
 
1 log p N (r, f )
λp := lim sup , ( p ≥ 1 is an integer) .
f r →+∞ log r
 ϕORDER OF MEROMORPHIC SOLUTIONS OF LDE IN THE COMPLEX PLANE 3

Definition 1.4 ([11]) Let f be a meromorphic function. Then, the iterated exponent of convergence of
the sequence of distinct zeros of f is defined as
 
log p N r, 1f
λ p ( f ) = lim sup ( p > 1 is an integer) ,
r →+∞ log r
 
where N r, 1f is the integrated counting function of distinct zeros of f in {z : |z| 6 r }. For p = 1,
this notation is called the exponent of convergence of the sequence of distinct zeros and for p = 2

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hyper-exponent of convergence of the sequence of distinct zeros.

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Definition 1.5 ([11]) The finiteness degree of the iterated convergence exponent is defined by

0, if n (r, a) = O (log r ) ,

O

 min  j ∈ N : λ f , a < ∞ , for some j ∈ N

j( )
iλ ( f , a) :=
 with λ j ( f , a) < ∞ exists,
+∞, if λ j ( f , a) = ∞ for all j ∈ N.



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Definition 1.6 ([8],[15]) The iterated lower p- order µ p ( f ) of a meromorphic function f is defined by
log p T (r, f )
µ p ( f ) := lim inf , ( p ≥ 1 is an integer) .
r →+∞ log r
i
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In [13], the authors improved some results of Belaı̈di [1] by using the concept of the iterated
order for the equations
f (k) + Ak−1 (z) f (k−1) + · · · + A1 (z) f 0 + A0 (z) f = 0, (1.1)
rR

f ( k ) + A k −1 ( z ) f ( k −1) + · · · + A 1 ( z ) f 0 + A 0 ( z ) f = F ( z ) (1.2)
and obtained general estimates of the iterated convergence exponent and the iterated order of
solutions of the above equations.
ee

Theorem A ([13]) Let H ⊂ (1, +∞) be a set with a positive upper logarithmic density (or ml ( H ) =
∞), and let A j (z) ( j = 0, 1, ..., k − 1) be meromorphic functions with finite iterated p−order. If there
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exist positive constants σ > 0, α > 0 and an integer s, 0 ≤ s ≤ k − 1, such that | As (z) | ≥ exp p (αr σ )
as |z| = r ∈ H, r → +∞ and ρ = max ρ p A j ( j 6= s) < σ, then every non-transcendental


meromorphic solution f 6≡ 0 of (1.1) is a polynomial with deg f ≤ s − 1 and every transcendental

Fo


1
meromorphic solution f of (1.1) with λ p f < µ p ( f ) satisfies i ( f ) = p + 1
µ p ( f ) = ρ p ( f ) = +∞
and
σ ≤ ρ p +1 ( f ) ≤ ρ p ( A s ) .
Theorem B [13] Let H ⊂ (1, +∞) be a set with a positive upper logarithmic density (or ml ( H ) = ∞),
and let A j (z) (j = 0, 1, ..., k − 1) and F 6≡ 0 be meromorphic functions with finite iterated p−order.
If there exist positive constants σ > 0, α > 0 and an integer s, 0 ≤ s ≤ k − 1, such that | As (z) | ≥
4 M. SAIDANI AND B. BELAÏDI

exp p (αr σ ) as |z| = r ∈ H, r → +∞ and max ρ p A j ( j 6= s), ρ p ( F ) < σ, then every non-


transcendental meromorphic solution f of (1.2) is apolynomial

 with deg f ≤ s − 1 and every tran-
1

scendental meromorphic solution f of (1.2) with λ p f < min σ, µ p ( f ) satisfies i ( f ) = p + 1

λ p ( f ) = λ p ( f ) = ρ p ( f ) = µ p ( f ) = +∞
and
σ ≤ λ p +1 ( f ) = λ p +1 ( f ) = ρ p +1 ( f ) ≤ ρ p ( A s ) .

y
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Recently, the study of growth of solutions of a differential equation in the complex plane
by using ϕ− order seems to have been started by Chyzhykov and Semochko [4] after showing
that the both definitions of iterated order and of [p,q]-order have the disadvantage that they

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do not cover arbitrary growth.

Definition 1.7 ([4]) Let ϕ be an increasing unbounded function on [1, +∞). The ϕ-orders of a mero-

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morphic function f are defined by
 
ϕ e T (r, f )
ρ0ϕ ( f ) := lim sup ,
r →+∞ log r
i
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ϕ ( T (r, f ))
ρ1ϕ ( f ) := lim sup .
r →+∞ log r
If f is an entire function, then the ϕ-orders are defined as
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ϕ ( M (r, f ))
ρe0ϕ ( f ) := lim sup ,
r →+∞ log r
ϕ (log M (r, f ))
ρe1ϕ ( f ) := lim sup ,
ee

r →+∞ log r
where M (r, f ) = max|z|=r | f (z) |.
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By symbol
Φ we define the class of positive unbounded increasing functions on [1, +∞), such
that ϕ et grows slowly, i.e.,
ϕ ect


∀c > 0, lim = 1.
t→+∞ ϕ ( et )
Fo

We need some properties of functions from the class Φ.

Proposition 1.1 ([4]) If ϕ ∈ Φ, then

ϕ−1 (log x m )
∀c > 0, ∀k > 0 : → +∞, x → +∞, (1.3)
xk
log ϕ−1 ((1 + δ) x )
∀δ > 0 : → +∞, x → +∞. (1.4)
log ϕ−1 ( x )
 ϕORDER OF MEROMORPHIC SOLUTIONS OF LDE IN THE COMPLEX PLANE 5

Remark 1.1([4]) We can see that (1.4) implies that

∀c > 0, ϕ (ct) 6 ϕ (tc ) 6 (1 + o (1)) ϕ (t) , t → +∞. (1.5)
Proposition 1.2 ([4]) Let ϕ ∈ Φ and f be an entire function. Then
j j
ρeϕ ( f ) = ρ ϕ ( f ) , j = 0, 1.
After that, in [2], Belaı̈di introduced the lower ϕ-order as follows.

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Definition 1.8 ([2]) Let ϕ ∈ Φ. Then, the lower ϕ−orders of the growth of an entire function f
are defined by

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ϕ ( M (r, f ))
µe0ϕ ( f ) := lim inf ,
r →+∞ log r

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ϕ (log M (r, f ))
e1ϕ ( f ) := lim inf
µ .
r →+∞ log r
If f is a meromorphic function, then the lower ϕ-orders are defined as

ew
 
ϕ e T (r, f )
µ0ϕ ( f ) := lim inf ,
r →+∞ log r
ϕ ( T (r, f ))
i µ1ϕ ( f ) := lim inf .
ev
r →+∞ log r
Proposition 1.3 ([2]) Let ϕ ∈ Φ. Then
j j
eϕ ( f ) = µ ϕ ( f ) , j = 0, 1.
rR

µ
In an analogous manner with the definitions of the ϕ-orders, Kara and Belaı̈di [12] have intro-
duced the ϕ-convergence exponents of the sequence of zeros of a meromorphic function.

Definition 1.9 ([10]) Let ϕ ∈ Φ. The ϕ-convergence exponents of the sequence of zeros of a mero-
ee

morphic function f by   
N r, 1f
ϕ e
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λ0ϕ ( f ) := lim sup ,

r →+∞ log r
  
ϕ N r, 1f
λ1ϕ ( f ) := lim sup
Fo

.
r →+∞ log r
0 1
Similarly, the notations λ ϕ ( f ) and λ ϕ ( f ) can be used to denote the ϕ-convergence exponents of the
sequence of distinct zeros of f .

In [10], Kara and Belaı̈di investigated the growth of meromorphic solutions of the equation
(1.1) when the coefficients are meromorphic functions of ϕ-order and obtained the following
result.
6 M. SAIDANI AND B. BELAÏDI

Theorem C ([10]) Let G ⊂ (1, +∞) be a set of complex numbers z satisfying log dens{|z| : z ∈ G } >
0 (or ml ({|z| : z ∈ G }) = ∞) , ϕ ∈ Φ and let A j (z) ( j = 0, 1, ..., k − 1) be meromorphic functions
satisfying δ (∞, A0 ) = δ > 0 and
n o
ρ = max ρ ϕ A j , j = 0, 1, ..., k − 1 6 α (0 < α < +∞) .
0

Suppose, there exists a real number β satisfies 0 < β < α such that for any given ε (0 < 2ε < α − β),
we have

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n o
T (r, A0 ) > log ϕ−1 ((α − ε) log r )

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and n o
T r, A j 6 log ϕ−1 ( β log r ) , j = 1, ..., k − 1

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as |z| = r → +∞ for z ∈ G. Then every non-zero meromorphic solution of equation (1.1) satisfies
ρ1ϕ ( f ) = ρ0ϕ ( A0 ) .

ing result. i ew
Considering the nonhomogeneous linear differential equation (1.2) they obtained the follow-
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Theorem D ([10]) Let ϕ ∈ Φ and let A j (z) ( j = 0, 1, ..., k − 1) , F be meromorphic functions such
 
that λ0ϕ A10 < ρ0ϕ ( A0 ) and
rR

n o
ρ = max ρ1ϕ ( F ) , ρ0ϕ A j , j = 1, ..., k − 1 < ρ0ϕ ( A0 ) < +∞.

Then every meromorphic solution f whose poles are of uniformly bounded multiplicities of (1.2) satis-
ee

fies
1
λ ϕ ( f ) = λ1ϕ ( f ) = ρ1ϕ ( f ) = ρ0ϕ ( A0 )
with at most one exceptional solution f 0 satisfying ρ1ϕ ( f 0 ) < ρ0ϕ ( A0 ) .
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2. Main results
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The aim of this paper is to investigate the growth of meromorphic solutions of equations (1.1)
and (1.2) with meromorphic coefficients of finite ϕ-order in the complex plane. It is concerned
with the more general problem by considering an arbitrary coefficient As (z) (0 ≤ s ≤ k − 1)
instead of A0 (z). We obtain the following results which extend the results of Theorems A, B,
C and D.

Theorem 2.1 Let G ⊂ [1, +∞) be a set of complex numbers satisfying log dens{|z| : z ∈ G } > 0,
 ϕORDER OF MEROMORPHIC SOLUTIONS OF LDE IN THE COMPLEX PLANE 7

ϕ ∈ Φ and let A j (z) ( j = 0, 1, ..., k − 1) be meromorphic functions with finite ϕ−order. If there exist
a positive constant 0 < γ < +∞ and an integer s, 0 6 s 6 k − 1, such that
n o
T (r, As ) ≥ log ϕ−1 (log r γ )
n o
as |z| = r → +∞ for z ∈ G, and ρ = max ρ0ϕ A j , j = 0, 1, ..., k − 1 ( j 6= s) < γ, then every

non-transcendental meromorphic solution f 6≡ 0 of (1.1) is a polynomial with deg f 6 s − 1 and every

transcendental meromorphic solution f of (1.1) whose poles are of uniformly bounded multiplicities

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satisfies
ρ0ϕ ( f ) > γ

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and
ρ1ϕ ( f ) 6 ρ0ϕ ( As ) 6 ρ0ϕ ( f ) .

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Furthermore, if λ0ϕ A1s < ρ0ϕ ( As ) , then there exists an exceptional meromorphic solution f 1 satisfy-
ing ρ1ϕ ( f 1 ) = ρ0ϕ ( As ) .

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Theorem 2.2 Let G ⊂ [1, +∞) be a set of complex numbers satisfying log dens{|z| : z ∈ G } > 0,
ϕ ∈ Φ and let A j (z) (j = 0, 1, ..., k − 1) and F 6≡ 0 be meromorphic functions with finite ϕ−order. If
there exist a positive constant 0 < γ < +∞ and an integer s, 0 6 s 6 k − 1, such that
i
ev
n o
T (r, As ) > log ϕ−1 (log r γ )
as |z| = r → +∞ for z ∈ G, and
rR

n o
0 0


ρ1 = max ρ ϕ A j , j = 0, 1, ..., k − 1 ( j 6= s), ρ ϕ ( F ) < γ,
then every non-transcendental meromorphic solution f 6≡ 0 of (1.2) is a polynomial with deg f 6
s − 1 and every transcendental meromorphic solution f of (1.2) whose poles are of uniformly bounded
ee

multiplicities satisfies
ρ0ϕ ( f ) > γ
and
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ρ1ϕ ( f ) 6 ρ0ϕ ( As ) 6 ρ0ϕ ( f ) .

Fo

3. Preliminary lemmas

Our proofs depend mainly upon the following lemmas.

Lemma 3.1([4], [9]) Let ϕ ∈ Φ and f 1 , f 2 , f be three non-constant meromorphic functions. Then, we
have
n o
j j j
ρ ϕ ( f 1 + f 2 ) 6 max ρ ϕ ( f 1 ) , ρ ϕ ( f 2 ) , j = 0, 1,
8 M. SAIDANI AND B. BELAÏDI
n o
j j j
ρ ϕ ( f 1 f 2 ) 6 max ρ ϕ ( f 1 ) , ρ ϕ ( f 2 ) , j = 0, 1,
 
j 1 j
ρϕ = ρ ϕ ( f ) , j = 0, 1, f 6≡ 0
f
j j
and if ρ ϕ ( f 1 ) < ρ ϕ ( f 2 ) , j = 0, 1, then
j j j
ρ ϕ ( f 1 + f 2 ) = ρ ϕ ( f 1 f 2 ) = ρ ϕ ( f 2 ) , j = 0, 1.

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Lemma 3.2 Under the assumptions of Theorem 2.1 or Theorem 2.2, we have ρ0ϕ ( As ) = β > γ.

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Proof. Suppose that ρ0ϕ ( As ) = β < γ. Then, by using the definition of ϕ-order, we have for any
given ε (0 < ε < γ − β)

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n o
T (r, As ) 6 log ϕ−1 {( β + ε) log r } . (3.1)
On the other hand, by the hypothesis of Theorems 2.1 or 2.2, we have

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n o
T (r, As ) > log ϕ−1 {γ log r } (3.2)

as |z| → +∞ for z ∈ G. From (3.1) and (3.2) , we obtain for sufficiently large r
i
n o n o
−1 −1
log ϕ {γ log r } 6 T (r, As ) 6 log ϕ {( β + ε) log r } .
ev
By arbitrariness of ε with 0 < ε < γ − β and the monotonicity of the function ϕ, we obtain
that β + ε > γ. This contradiction proves the inequality ρ0ϕ ( As ) = β > γ.
rR

Lemma 3.3 Let f be a rational function. Then, ρ0ϕ ( f ) = 0.

Proof. Assume that f is a rational function. Then, T (r, f ) = O(log r ). By Karamata’s theorem
( see ([16]), it follows that ϕ(et ) = to(1) as t → +∞. Hence
ee

 
ϕ e T ( r, f )
0 (O(log r ))o(1)
ρ ϕ ( f ) := lim sup = lim sup = 0.
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r →+∞ log r r →+∞ log r

Lemma 3.4 ([3]) Let f be a meromorphic solution of equation (1.1), suppose that not all coefficients A j
k −1
are constants. Given a real number a > 1, and denoting T (r ) = ∑ T (r, A j ), then the inequalities
Fo

j =0

log m(r, f ) < T (r ) {(log r ) log T (r )} a if s = 0,

log m(r, f ) < r2s+a−1 T (r ) {log T (r )} a if s > 0
hold outside of an exceptional set E1 with ts−1 dt < +∞.
R
E1

Lemma 3.5([4]) Let ϕ ∈ Φ and f be a meromorphic function with 0 < ρ0ϕ ( f ) = ρ < +∞. Then for
 ϕORDER OF MEROMORPHIC SOLUTIONS OF LDE IN THE COMPLEX PLANE 9

any given β < ρ0ϕ ( f ) , there exists a set E2 ⊂ [1, +∞) that has infinite logarithmic measure, such that
for all r ∈ E2 , we have
 
ϕ e T (r, f ) > β log r.
Lemma 3.6 [5] Let f 1 , f 2 , ..., f k be linearly independent meromorphic solutions of equation (1.1) with
meromorphic coefficients A0 , A1 , ..., Ak−1 . Then
  
m(r, A j ) = O log max T (r, f i ) , ( j = 0, ..., k − 1).

y
16i6k

Lemma 3.7 ([10]) Let ϕ ∈ Φ and f be a meromorphic function. Then, for any set E3 ⊂ [0, +∞) with

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finite linear measure, there exists a sequence {rn , rn ∈ / E3 } such that
   
e T (r n , f )

O
ϕ ( T (rn , f )) ϕ
lim = ρ1ϕ ( f ) ,  resp. lim = ρ0ϕ ( f ) .
rn →+∞ log rn rn →+∞ log rn

ew
4. Proof of Theorem 2.1

Assume that f 6≡ 0 is a rational solution of (1.1). If either f is a rational function, which has a
pole at z0 of degree m ≥ 1, or f is a polynomial with deg f > s, then f (s) (z) 6≡ 0. By (1.1) , we
i
ev
have
k −1
As ( z ) f (s) ( z ) = − f (k) ( z ) − ∑ A j (z ) f ( j) (z ) .
j=0, j6=s
rR

Then, by using Lemma 3.1, Lemma 3.2 and Lemma 3.3, we get
!
k −1
γ 6 ρ0ϕ ( As ) = ρ0ϕ ( As f (s) ) = ρ0ϕ − f (k) − ∑ A j f ( j)
j=0, j6=s
ee

n
o
6 max ρ0ϕ A j
j=0,1,...,k−1, j6=s
rP

which is a contradiction. Therefore, f must be a polynomial with deg f 6 s − 1.

Now, we assume that f is a transcendental meromorphic solution of (1.1) whose poles are of
uniformly bounded multiplicities. Our aim in this part is to prove that
Fo

ρ0ϕ ( f ) > γ
and
ρ1ϕ ( f ) 6 ρ0ϕ ( As ) 6 ρ0ϕ ( f ) .
From (1.1) , we have
k −1
f (k) f ( j)
As = − − ∑ j f (s) .
f (s) j=0, j6=s
A (4.1)
10 M. SAIDANI AND B. BELAÏDI

Combining the formula (4.1) and the first main theory in Nevanlinna theory, we get
k   k −1  
T (r, As ) 6 ∑ T r, f ( j) + ∑ T r, A j + kT r, f (s) + O (1) .


(4.2)
j=0, j6=s j=0, j6=s

For every integer j ∈ [1, k ], we have the estimate, see ([7]), p. 56)
 
T r, f ( j) 6 ( j + 1) T (r, f ) + S (r, f ) , (4.3)
where S (r, f ) = O (log T (r, f ) + log r ) possibly outside a set E4 ⊂ [0, +∞) of a finite linear

y
measure. Combining the two inequalities (4.2) and (4.3), we obtain

nl
k −1
∑


T (r, As ) 6 T r, A j + cT (r, f ) + S (r, f ) + O (1)
j=0, j6=s
(4.4)

O
k −1
∑


6 T r, A j + cT (r, f ) + O (log T (r, f ) + log r ) + O (1)
j=0, j6=s

with c > 0 is a constant. From the definition of ϕ−order, for any given ε with 0 < ε < γ − ρ

ew
and sufficiently large r, we get
n n  oo
T r, A j 6 log ϕ−1 ρ0ϕ A j + ε log r



(4.5)
6 log ϕ−1 {(ρ + ε) log r } , j = 0, ..., k − 1, j 6= s,
 i
ev
and by the hypothesis of Theorem 2.1, we have
n o
−1
T (r, As ) > log ϕ {γ log r } . (4.6)
rR

Substituting (4.5) and (4.6) into (4.4), for any given ε with 0 < ε < γ − ρ, we obtain
n o
(1 − o (1)) log ϕ−1 {γ log r } 6 O (log T (r, f ) + log r ) + O ( T (r, f )) = O ( T (r, f )) .
Applying (1.5), one can deduce that
ee

ρ0ϕ ( f ) > γ.
Now, we prove that ρ1ϕ ( f ) 6 ρ0ϕ ( As ) . From equation (1.1), we know that the poles of f can
rP

only occur at the poles of A0 , A1 , ..., Ak−1 , note that the multiplicities of poles of f are uniformly
bounded, so we have
k −1
N (r, f ) 6 C1 N (r, f ) 6 C1 ∑ N r, A j


j=
0
Fo

 (4.7)
6 C2 max  N r, A j
, j = 0, ..., k − 1
6 C2 max T r, A j , j = 0, ..., k − 1 ,
where C1 and C2 are two suitable positive constants. Using the definition of ϕ−order and
hypotheses of Theorem 2.1, we can get for any given ε with 0 < ε < γ − ρ and r → +∞
T (r, A j ) = o ( T (r, As )), j = 0, ..., k − 1, j 6= s. (4.8)
By (4.7) and (4.8) we can write
N (r, f ) 6 O ( T (r, As )) .
 ϕORDER OF MEROMORPHIC SOLUTIONS OF LDE IN THE COMPLEX PLANE 11

Hence
T (r, f ) 6 m (r, f ) + O ( T (r, As )) . (4.9)
On the other hand, by Lemma 3.4, we have
log m(r, f ) < T (r ) {(log r ) log T (r )} a if s = 0 (4.10)
with
k −1
T (r ) = ∑ T (r, A j ) = O (T (r, As )) .

y
j =0

nl
From (4.9) and (4.10) , we get
a
T (r, f ) 6 eO(T (r,As )){(log r) log O(T (r,As ))} + O ( T (r, As ))

O
T (r,As ){(log r ) log T (r,As )} a
 
6O e , a>1
outside of an exceptional set E1 with finite logarithmic measure. By the monotonicity of the

ew
function ϕ and (1.5), we obtain ρ1ϕ ( f ) 6 ρ0ϕ ( As ) . On the other hand, from (1.1) , we have
k −1
f (k) f ( j)
As = − (s) − ∑ A j (s) . (4.11)
f f
i j=0, j6=s
ev
Combining the formula (4.11) and the first main theory in Nevanlinna theory, we get
k   k −1  
∑ T r, f ( j) + ∑ T r, A j + kT r, f (s) + O (1) .


T (r, As ) 6 (4.12)
rR

j=0, j6=s j=0, j6=s

Combining the two inequalities (4.3) and (4.12), we obtain

k −1
ee

∑


T (r, As ) 6 T r, A j + cT (r, f ) + S (r, f ) + O (1)
j=0, j6=s
k −1
(4.13)
∑


6 T r, A j + cT (r, f ) + O (log T (r, f ) + log r ) + O (1)
rP

j=0, j6=s
n o
/ E4 . Since ρ = max ρ0ϕ A j , j = 0, 1, ..., k − 1 ( j 6= s) < γ ≤ ρ0ϕ ( As ) ,


with c > 0 and r ∈
then from the definition of ϕ−order, we get for any given ε with 0 < 2ε < ρ0ϕ ( As ) − ρ and
Fo

sufficiently large r
n n  oo
T r, A j 6 log ϕ−1 ρ0ϕ A j + ε log r



(4.14)
6 log ϕ−1 {(ρ + ε) log r } , j = 0, ..., k − 1, j 6= s,


and by Lemma 3.5, there exists a set E2 ⊂ [1, +∞) that has infinite logarithmic measure, such
that for all r ∈ E2 , we have
n n  oo
T (r, As ) > log ϕ−1 ρ0ϕ ( As ) − ε log r . (4.15)
12 M. SAIDANI AND B. BELAÏDI

Substituting (4.14) and (4.15) into (4.13), we get for any given ε with 0 < 2ε < ρ0ϕ ( As ) − ρ and
r ∈ E2  ( E1 ∪ E4 )
n n  oo
(1 − o (1)) log ϕ−1 ρ0ϕ ( As ) − ε log r 6 O (log T (r, f ) + log r )

+ O ( T (r, f )) = O ( T (r, f )) . (4.16)

Applying (1.5), one can deduce that
ρ0ϕ ( As ) 6 ρ0ϕ ( f ) .

y
Consequently

nl
ρ1ϕ ( f ) 6 ρ0ϕ ( As ) 6 ρ0ϕ ( f ) .
 
Secondly, we prove that if λ0ϕ A1s < ρ0ϕ ( As ) , then there exists an exceptional solution f 1 sat-

O
 
isfying ρ1ϕ ( f 1 ) = ρ0ϕ ( As ) . Suppose that λ0ϕ A1s < ρ0ϕ ( As ) and { f 1 , f 2 , ..., f k } is a meromorphic
solution base of (1.1) . By using Lemma 3.6, we get

ew
  
m (r, As ) = O log max T (r, f i ) ; (s = 0, ..., k − 1).
16i6k

Now, we assert that m(r, As ) > N (r, As ) holds for sufficiently large r. Indeed, if m(r, As ) 6
i
N (r, As ), then
ev
T (r, As ) = m(r, As ) + N (r, As ) 6 2N (r, As ),
   
so ρ ϕ ( As ) 6 λ ϕ As . This contradicts our condition λ ϕ A1s < ρ0ϕ ( As ) . Hence, for suffi-
0 0 1 0

ciently large r, we have

rR

  
T (r, As ) = O (m (r, As )) = O log max T (r, f i ) ; (s = 0, ..., k − 1).
16i6k

By Lemma 3.7, there exists a set E3 ⊂ [0, +∞) with a finite linear measure and a sequence {rn }
ee

with rn ∈
/ E3 such that  
ϕ e T (rn ,As )
lim = ρ0ϕ ( As ) .
rP

rn →+∞ log rn
Set
Si = {r : r ∈ [0, +∞)E3 , T (r, As ) ≤ O (log T (r, f i )) , (i = 1, ..., k )} .
k
Fo

Si = [0, +∞)E3 . It is easy to see that there exists at least one Si , say S1 ⊂
S
We have
i =1
[0, +∞)E3 , that has infinite linear measure and satisfies
T (r, As ) ≤ O (log T (r, f 1 )) (r ∈ S1 ) .
By this inequality and (1.5) and the monotonicity of ϕ, we get
ρ1ϕ ( f 1 ) > ρ0ϕ ( As ) .
We have by the first part of this proof that ρ1ϕ ( f ) 6 ρ0ϕ ( As ) . Therefore ρ1ϕ ( f ) = ρ0ϕ ( As ) .
 ϕORDER OF MEROMORPHIC SOLUTIONS OF LDE IN THE COMPLEX PLANE 13

5. Proof of Theorem 2.2

Assume that f (6≡ 0) is a rational solution of (1.2). If either f is a rational function, which has
a pole at z0 of degree m ≥ 1, or f is a polynomial with deg f > s, then f (s) 6≡ 0. By (1.2) , we
have
k −1
As ( z ) f (s) ( z ) = F ( z ) − f (k) ( z ) − ∑ A j (z ) f ( j) (z ) .
j=0, j6=s

y
Then, by using Lemma 3.1, Lemma 3.2 and Lemma 3.3, we get
!
k −1

nl
γ 6 ρ0ϕ ( As ) = ρ0ϕ ( As f (s) ) = ρ0ϕ F − f (k) − ∑ A j f ( j)
j=0, j6=s

O
n o
6 max ρ0ϕ ( F ), ρ0ϕ A j , j = 0, 1, ..., k − 1, j 6= s ,

which is a contradiction. Therefore, f must be a polynomial with deg f 6 s − 1.

ew
Now, we assume that f is a transcendental meromorphic solution of (1.2) whose poles are of
uniformly bounded multiplicities. Our aim in this part is to prove that
ρ0ϕ ( f ) > γ
i
ev
and
ρ1ϕ ( f ) 6 ρ0ϕ ( As ) 6 ρ0ϕ ( f ) .
Now, assume that f is a transcendental meromorphic solution of equation (1.2) . From (1.2) ,
rR

we have
k −1
F f (k) f ( j)
As = (s) − (s) − ∑ A j (s) . (5.1)
f f j=0, j6=s f
Combining the formula (5.1) and the first main theory in Nevanlinna theory, we get
ee

k   k −1  
T (r, As ) 6 ∑ T r, f ( j) + ∑ T r, A j + (k + 1) T r, f (s) + T (r, F ) + O (1) .


(5.2)
rP

j=0, j6=s j=0, j6=s

For every integer j ∈ [1, k ], we have the estimate, see ([7], p. 56)
 
( j)
T r, f 6 ( j + 1) T (r, f ) + S (r, f ) , (5.3)
Fo

where S (r, f ) = O (log T (r, f ) + log r ) possibly outside a set E4 ⊂ [0, +∞) of a finite linear
measure. Combining the two inequalities (5.2) and (5.3), we have
k −1
∑


T (r, As ) 6 T r, A j + cT (r, f ) + T (r, F ) + S (r, f ) + O (1)
j=0, j6=s

k −1
∑


6 T r, A j + T (r, F ) + cT (r, f ) + O (log T (r, f ) + log r ) + O (1) (5.4)
j=0, j6=s
14 M. SAIDANI AND B. BELAÏDI

with c > 0 is a real constant. From the definition of ϕ−order, we get for any given ε with
0 < ε < γ − ρ1 and sufficiently large r
n n  oo
− 1 0



T r, A j 6 log ϕ ρ ϕ A j + ε log r
 −1 (5.5)
6 log ϕ {(ρ1 + ε) log r } , j = 0, ..., k − 1, j 6= s,
n n  oo
T (r, F ) 6 log ϕ−1 ρ0ϕ ( F ) + ε log r
(5.6)
6 log ϕ−1 {(ρ1 + ε) log r } .


y
and by the hypothesis of Theorem 2.2, we have

nl
n o
T (r, As ) > log ϕ−1 {γ log r } . (5.7)

O
Substituting (5.5), (5.6) and (5.7) into (5.4), we get for any given ε with 0 < ε < γ − ρ1
n o
−1
(1 − o (1)) log ϕ {γ log r } 6 O (log T (r, f ) + log r ) + O ( T (r, f )) = O ( T (r, f )) .

ew
Applying (1.5), one can deduce that
ρ0ϕ ( f ) > γ.
We prove now that ρ1ϕ ( f ) 6 ρ0ϕ ( As ) . From equation (1.2), we know that the poles of f can only
i
occur at the poles of A0 , A1 , ..., Ak−1 , F, note that the multiplicities of poles of f are uniformly
ev
bounded, so we have
N (r, f ) 6 C1 N (r, f )
k −1
6 C1 ∑ N r, A j + C2 N (r, F )


rR

j =0  (5.8)


6 C3 max  N (r, F ) , N r, A
j , j = 0, ..., k − 1
6 C3 max T (r, F ) , T r, A j , j = 0, ..., k − 1 ,
ee

where C1 , C2 and C3 are suitable positive constants. Using the definition of ϕ−order and
hypotheses of Theorem 2.2, we can get for any given ε with 0 < ε < γ − ρ1 and sufficiently
large r
rP

n o
−1


T r, A j 6 log ϕ {(ρ1 + ε) log r } = o ( T (r, As )), j = 0, ..., k − 1, j 6= s (5.9)

and n o
T (r, F ) 6 log ϕ−1 {(ρ1 + ε) log r } = o ( T (r, As )). (5.10)
Fo

By (5.8) , (5.9) and (5.10) we can write

N (r, f ) 6 O ( T (r, As )) .
Hence, we get
T (r, f ) 6 m (r, f ) + O ( T (r, As )) . (5.11)
On the other hand, by Lemma 3.4, we have
log m(r, f ) < T (r ) {(log r ) log T (r )} a if s = 0 (5.12)
 ϕORDER OF MEROMORPHIC SOLUTIONS OF LDE IN THE COMPLEX PLANE 15

with
k −1
T (r ) = ∑ T (r, A j ) = O (T (r, As )) .
j =0
From (5.11) and (5.12) , we get
a
 
T (r, f ) 6 O e T (r,As ){(log r) log T (r,As )} , a > 1
outside of an exceptional set E1 with finite logarithmic measure. By the monotonicity of the

y
function ϕ and (1.5), we obtain ρ1ϕ ( f ) 6 ρ0ϕ ( As ) . On the other hand, from (1.2) , we have

nl
k −1
F f (k) f ( j)
As = − (s) − ∑ A j (s) (5.13)
f (s) f j=0, j6=s f

O
Combining the formula (5.13) and the first main theory in Nevanlinna theory, we get
k   k −1  
T (r, As ) 6 T (r, F ) + ∑ T r, f ( j) + ∑ T r, A j + (k + 1) T r, f (s) + O (1) . (5.14)

ew
j=0, j6=s j=0, j6=s

For every integer j ∈ [1, k ], we have the estimate, see ([7], p. 56)
 
( j)
T r, f 6 ( j + 1) T (r, f ) + S (r, f ) , (5.15)
i
ev
where S (r, f ) = O (log T (r, f ) + log r ) possibly outside a set E4 ⊂ [0, +∞) of a finite linear
measure. Combining the two inequalities (5.14) and (5.15), we obtain
k −1
rR

∑


T (r, As ) 6 T (r, F ) + T r, A j + cT (r, f ) + S (r, f ) + O (1)
j=0, j6=s

k −1
∑


6 T (r, F ) + T r, A j + cT (r, f ) + O (log T (r, f ) + log r ) + O (1) (5.16)
ee

j=0, j6=s
n o
with c > 0. Since ρ1 = max ρ0ϕ A j , j = 0, 1, ..., k − 1 ( j 6= s), ρ0ϕ ( F ) < γ ≤ ρ0ϕ ( As ) , then


rP

from the definition of ϕ−order, we get for any given ε with 0 < 2ε < ρ0ϕ ( As ) − ρ1 and suffi-
ciently large r
n n  oo
T r, A j 6 log ϕ−1 ρ0ϕ A j + ε log r



(5.17)
Fo

6 log ϕ−1 {(ρ1 + ε) log r } , j = 0, ..., k − 1, j 6= s



and n n  oo
T (r, F ) 6 log ϕ−1 ρ0ϕ ( F ) + ε log r
(5.18)
6 log ϕ−1 {(ρ1 + ε) log r } ,


and by Lemma 3.5, there exists a set E2 ⊂ [1, +∞) that has infinite logarithmic measure, such
that for all r ∈ E2 , we have
n n  oo
T (r, As ) > log ϕ−1 ρ0ϕ ( As ) − ε log r . (5.19)
16 M. SAIDANI AND B. BELAÏDI

Substituting (5.17), (5.18) and (5.19) into (5.16), we get for any given ε with 0 < 2ε < ρ0ϕ ( As ) −
ρ1
n n  oo
(1 − o (1)) log ϕ−1 ρ0ϕ ( As ) − ε log r 6 O (log T (r, f ) + log r )
+ O ( T (r, f )) = O ( T (r, f )) . (5.20)
Applying (1.5), one can deduce that
ρ0ϕ ( As ) 6 ρ0ϕ ( f ) .

y
Consequently

nl
ρ1ϕ ( f ) 6 ρ0ϕ ( As ) 6 ρ0ϕ ( f ) .

Acknowledgments

O
This paper is supported by University of Mostaganem (UMAB)
(PRFU Project Code C00L03UN270120220007).

References

ew
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i
ev
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rR

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rP

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y
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O
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ev
rR
ee
rP
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