Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

On The Existence Of Strong Solutions To Autonomous Differential Equations With Minimal Regularity, Charlie H. Cooke

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

For proving the existence and uniqueness of strong solutions to

dY/dt = F(Y), Y(0) = C,

the most quoted condition seen in elementary differential equations texts is that F(Y) and its first derivative be continuous. One wonders about the existence of a minimal regularity condition which allows unique strong solutions. In this note, a bizarre example is seen where F(Y) is not differentiable at an equilibrium solution; yet unique non-global strong solutions exist at each point, whereas global non-unique weak solutions are allowed. A characterizing theorem is obtained.