Solvability of nonlinear elliptic boundary value problem via its associated linear problem

We investigate the existence of solutions of a nonlinear elliptic boundary value problem at resonance. Under the condition that the associated linear boundary value problem has no sign-changing solution or nontrivial solution and some other additional conditions, we prove the existence of solutions or nontrivial (even multiple) solutions to the nonlinear problem. Thus the existence of solutions can be obtained when the nonlinearity may cross any finite number of eigenvalues of the linear problem. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.