On a Differential Equation with Left and Right Fractional Derivatives

Abstract

We treat the fractional order differential equation that contains the left and right Riemann-Liouville fractional derivatives. Such equations arise as the Euler-Lagrange equation in variational principles with fractional derivatives. We reduce the problem to a Fredholm integral equation and construct a solution in the space of continuous functions. Two competing approaches in formulating differential equations of fractional order in Mechanics and Physics are compared in a specific example. It is concluded that only the physical interpretation of the problem can give a clue which approach should be taken.