A new method to solve a reflection equation with piecewise constant arguments

Abstract: In this work, we study nonlocal differential equations with particular focus on those with reflection in their argument and piecewise constant dependence. The approach entails deriving the explicit expression of the solution to the linear problem by constructing the corresponding Green's function, as well as developing a novel formula to delineate the set of parameters involved in the analyzed equations for which the Green's function exhibits a constant sign. Furthermore, we demonstrate the existence of solutions for nonlinear problems through the utilisation of diverse results derived from fixed-point theory. The aforementioned methodology is specifically applied to the linear problem with periodic conditions $v'(t) + mv(-t) + Mv([t]) = h(t)$ for $t \in [-T,T]$, proving several existence results for the associated nonlinear problem and precisely delimiting the region where the Green's function $H_{m,M}$ has a constant sign. % when $T \in (0,1]$. The equations studied have the potential to be applied in fields such as biomedicine or quantum mechanics. Furthermore, this work represents a significant advance, as it is the first time that equations with involution and piecewise constant arguments have been studied together.