In this paper we consider the question of uniqueness of positive solutions for Dirichlet problems of the form - Δ u(x)= g(λ,u(x)) in B, u(x) = 0 on ϑB, where A is the Laplace operator, B is the unit ball in RˆN, and A>0. We show that if g(λ,u)=uˆ(N+2)/(N-2) + λ, that is g has "critical growth", then large positive solutions are unique. We also prove uniqueness of large solutions when g(λ,u)=A f(u) with f(0) < 0, f "superlinear" and monotone. We use a number of methods from nonlinear functional analysis such as variational identities, Sturm comparison theorems and methods of order. We also present a regularity result on linear elliptic equation where a coefficient has critical growth.

This paper introduces the background concepts necessary to develop a detailed proof of a theorem by Ralph H. Fox which states that two topological spaces are the same homotopy type if and only if both are deformation retracts of a third space, the mapping cylinder. The concepts of homotopy and deformation are introduced in chapter 2, and retraction and deformation retract are defined in chapter 3. Chapter 4 develops the idea of the mapping cylinder, and the proof is completed. Three special cases are examined in chapter 5.