Dynamics of second order rational difference equations. With open problems and conjectures (Q2735629)

The authors present a detailed treatment concerning the dynamics of the real difference equation NEWLINE\[NEWLINEx_{n+1}=(\alpha+\beta x_n+\gamma x_{n-1})/(A+ Bx_n+C x_{n-1}), \quad n\in \mathbb{N}_0,NEWLINE\]NEWLINE with nonnegative coefficients and nonnegative initial values \(x_{-1},x_0\). Depending on the coefficients which are strictly positive they distinguish 49 different types (including 21 cases of trivial, linear and Riccati equations, respectively) the solutions of which are investigated with respect to equilibrium points, semicycles, invariant intervals, boundedness, oscillations, periodicity, local, global and asymptotic stability, stability trichotomy and global attractivity. An introductory chapter contains the needed basic definitions and general results concerning nonlinear difference equations of order two, an appendix, corresponding generalizations to higher order equations.NEWLINENEWLINENEWLINEA speciality of the book are the numerous open problems and conjectures stimulating further investigations. These problems concern also generalizations of the difference equations in question and in particular mathematical models of various biological systems.