‘Downloaded by (Christopher Newport University] at 08:02 02 July 2012 Journal of Difference Equations and Applications (S)) Tavtor& Francis Vol. 17, No, i, November 2081, 1581-1590 nesta Global asymptotic stability for minimum-delay difference equations Kenneth $. Berenhaut*, Richard T, Guy! and Christa L. Barrett? of Mashematies, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27109, USA (Received 7 January 2010; faut version received 29 January 2070) This paper considers equations of the form Ja = MIN Cia Fromm oof Onde rome Conditions on fand {(&:,m:)} which guarantee global asymptotic stability of positive solutions are provides. The results generalize recent work i ae fiteraure foe equations ofthe form y, = f(s, a) ASymIpIogc periodicity for solutions is also considered Keywords: difference equations; global asymptotic stability: symmetric functions, ratios: periodicity; recursive equation 2000 Mathematics Subject Classification: 39410: 39AL1 1. Introduction {in this paper, we consider recursive equations of the form Ye MIDE ty Y ms eee bP nD a for a = 0, where kya = 1, for E= 1.2....,2, woalke, mip, koy ama, «namin ma Ursin Kaen, oo kesh ey and yoy, Yostts oes ¥-t © 0,00), Recently, Sun and Xi [24] and Stevié {23} have proved the following interesting result regarding criteria for asymptotically two-periodic behaviour of solutions to equations of the form dn =f Ont Yaron) @) Theorem 1. Suppose that {y:} satisfies equation (3), and in addition thar ( f E CUO, 209°, (a, €0)) with a= inf ftw, ane. @ i) flee,v) is increasing tax w and decreasing in v, *Comesponding author, Emil: berenhis@whu.ed ISSN 1023-618 pert'SSN 1563.5120 onion © 2011 Taylor & Fans Imnpfds do. ogy 0 1080102361 9EONSGASIDA 2nnpZn tandfeaine com‘Downloaded by (Christopher Newport University] at 08:02 02 July 2012 2 KS, Berenhaut & a (ii) there exists a decreasing function g © Ca, 0), (a,c2)) suc that sg) =x, for x >a, 6) x= fal), for x> a. co) and fim gi) = 9 and limgin) = a. a Then, if k is even and m is odd, every positive solution 10 (1) converges to a (not necessarily prime) two-periodic solution. Otherwise, every solution converges 10 the unique equilibrium of (1). For earlier related results and motivation, see (3,14.22] Remark |, Note that the self-inverse property in (5) gives that the range of g must comprise all of (a, 00). Hence, under the assumption that g is ing, (7) is immediately satistied and may be removed from the statement of Theorem: 1 Recently, the first and second authors have provided readily verified conditions for existence of a function g satisfying the requirements of Theorem 1. In particular, the following theorem was proven (see {4} Tuo h, where fa) h © CQO, ©) () the function f is decreasing in v, (©) with a as in (4), for all v > a, there exist Cy and Dy (possibly infinite) such that 2D). Suppose that {y,] satisfies (3) with flu, v) = iu viv for some function 40, 09)) is such tha ha, v) is syrametric inn « and v and increasing lira flu, fu Cy > 1 and tim flor v)fu = Dy <1 8) Then, there exists a continuous function g satisfying (5), (6) and (7). Hence by Theorem 3, if k is even and m is odd, every positive solution to 3) converges to a {not ne vessarily prime) two-periodie solution, and otherwise, every positive solution converges to the nique equilibriun of Q Now, note that under assumptions (a) and (b) in Theorem 2, we have that, for fixed v>a, hav) _ ty, 1 fv) 6) is decreasing in us and hence the (possibly infinite) limits in (8) exist. A key point here is that there is no need to have a closed form for g ta verify the hypotheses of Theorem L. In fact, finding such a closed form may not he very practical in applications (see, for instance Example 5 in (4). Here, we investigate complications which arise when related questions are posed for equations of the form in (1).‘Downloaded by (Christopher Newport University] at 08:02 02 July 2012 Jeurnat of Difference Equations and Applications 1583 Among our results is the following. Trnornt 3. Set K= (kyo, ky}, M= (mam, ...,1m)} and p= god{ lk € K), and suppose the following hold. (i) The fienction f sai f) There exists u isfies the requirements of Theorem | (or Theorem 2), ©, such that for cack m € M, there exists an m” € M sati ving mm’ = T mod p. (40) ) There exists ¢ O = O and an ih EM such that f+ QT = Omod p. «iby Then, every positive solution to equation (3) converges to the unique equilibrium of (3). Note that if m = Omod p for some m © M, then the equality in (11) is satisfied with © = 0. Iris interesting to note that applicability of the theorem is entirely independent of the actual pairings (k;,m,) snd instead only requires knowledge of the sets K and Af. Before tuming 0 a proof of Theorem 3, we give a simple example of a difference equation satisfying the requirements of the theorem, Example 1. Consider the equation } ft Here, we have A(u, ¥ a= land for y > 1, it=>1 a3) and 1d lim=+2=-<1 aay Hence, the conditions of Theorem 2 are satisfied. As well, we have p= 5 and M = {1,2,3} modulo p. Considering the Mf-pairings (va, m") & {(2,2).41,3).(3, D}, we have, with T= 4, m= | and Q = 4, that (11) is satisfied and all positive solutions converge to the unique equilibrium. See [3.14,20] and the references therein for further discussion of equation (12) with L=l Behaviour of minimum (and maximum) difference equations has been studied by several authors in the recent past (see (1.8.1 ,14.18,19.25,26] and the references therein). Typical equations considered inchide those of the form Ye = MAR On-6)F20 tds LOAD, n=O, «sp for small L = 2, single-variable functions {f;}, and small delays {k;}, see for instance 111,18,19,26},‘Downloaded by (Christopher Newport University] at 08:02 02 July 2012 4 KS, Berenhaut & a In a recent paper, the first and second authors considered asymprotic behaviour of integer solutions to equations of the form Dy = MINE -k, Yam Ierty “Toombs =O as For results on periodicity and boundedness of sohutions to (16) as well as references to related work see {5.15,16.21] Regarding asymptotic periodicity for solutions to (1), we provide the following conjecture in the case £ = 2 (see Section 3, below). CONRCTURE 1. Suppose the function f satisfies the requirements of Theorem 1 (or Theorem 2) and that W = ged(ky, ka, my + my). ayy ‘Then, every positive solution 10 (1) with L= 2 converges to a (not necessarily prime} period W solution The remainder of the paper proceeds as follows. Section 2 contains 2 proof of Theorem 3, whereas Section 3 focuses on some preliminary work related to Conjecture | and farther discussion. For some further work on piecewise-linear equations, the reader is referred t 12,6.9,10,12,13] as well as the vast interesting literature related to the well-known 3x4 Conjecture (see, for instunce [17.27] and the references therein) 2. Proof of Theorem 3 In this section, we provide a proof of Theorem 3. We begin with the following lemma akin to Lemme 2.1 in (24), Lena 1. Let {31} bea pasitive solution to (1). Then, there exists a real number t > a.such that 4, ag) forall i = 0, Inaddition, setting lim sup yy = Q1 and lim inf y ». wwe have 2 = gw) and Proof. Suppose that f satisfies the hypotheses of Theorem I and defines 2 sequence [0D iyao Satisfying |S Mn) % 8 anid ye = fOn-kgys Yr~any for n & 0. Note that, for 0= 1 = 5 — Ly yn = One, srgo s abd hence Be LO biey } my #1) 2a ay ‘Thus, there exists a ¢ > a, such that (18) holds for all 0 = i = s — 1. Now, 1 = FE, 30D) S Ys =F 0 9 bar ds ms) SAGO.) = gt. (20) Inductively, we then have that the inequality in (18) is satisfied for all ¢ = 0. Next, set 0 = lim sup yi and o = liminf y, and suppose that ¢ > 0. Then, there exists an WV such that yw > O = € and y; € (w— €,.0+ ¢) for /= N — 5. Hence, ID. €, (0 = 6) =O € < yy =POW- Io IW my) SN4 €.— €). QL)rsity] at 08:02 02 July 2012 2 F 5 z z 5 = g B z 4 2 & Journal of Difference Equations and Applications 1585 Similarly, there exists an Nz such that yy, <@+e and y;€(@~¢2+e) for im Ny — 5. Hence, fat €go+ 0) = 0+ € > yy, = ‘Os ty,ys Mammy) = fl@ — €, 2+ €). (22) Letting ¢ tend to zero in (21) and (22) and employing the continuity and decreasing nature of g gives gO} = = g(g(ei)) = eM). 23) Hence, = g(2) and the result is proved. u ‘Throughout the remainder of the paper, for a we will assume that Q, = 0 satisfies cen solution y = {yr} t equation (1), Q=limsupy; and gO) = liminty oO Before turming to a proof of Theorem 3, we define the following notacion. For €, 8 > 0 set iB) = 71,e(8) = sup {0 r3(B) = P23) = sup(O 13(8) = 13,68) = sup SO GNF HO ~ FS AN~ x, e+ ©}, =N-gO+010-8sfO4+e22-9), 5) O~ ANF OlWO~ = F(g(N+ 9,0 ~ 9} Note that n-s=0 Ns a= (2, g(0 + €)), (Q, cD) SFO + €,g), 26) = gO) = f(g), 0) = FieD + €),0). and hence the sets in (25) are non-empty and 1, comtinuity of g and f, and the fact that x = fC, 4 =: 0 for i= 1,2,3. In addition, by the 1), for x > a, and g(e0r)) =a, fim, ri) = 0. oath (odetay! = @ le fim, 3) =O. We now tur to a proof of Theorem 3. Proof of Theorem 3. Since godthy ko, ...,ky) = p, there exists a Z > 0 such that ip can be expressed as a linear combination of elements of K whenever i = Z (see, for instance {7)). Assumption (ii) in the theorem guarantees the existence of cy © {1,2,...,L) and Q.S,T > 0 such that icy + OL = Sp, 2s) while assumption Gi) gives shat for every 7 [1.2,...,L], there exists an i & (1,2, DL} such that i; + my = T. Now, fix € > 0 and suppose that N > Zp+ me, -+ OL +S satisfies yy © (g(Q+ ©),.Q+ 6) for all FN ~ Zp-+ ite, + OT +8) and yy > O~e. In addition, by thersity] at 08:02 02 July 2012 2 F 5 z z 5 = g B z 4 2 & 1586 KS, Berenhaut & a assumption on Z and (28), there exist yy i2, ...4) and je.jo, = J satisfying UEZp + my + OT = (Z+ p= ki, + hy bob ki, and v“Zp ky thy bo thy Then, we have that, by (1), DM € < yy SfON-L, .YN-m,) 5 FO~%, 8A 0, and hence, by the definition of rs, Yn, == n(e). Employing (32) and (1) then gives that DO < Yok, SAO 8, 6, I,m) SLOW, f+ ©), and hence 2 = rire) Inductively, we have that for U and V as in (29) and (30), yw > O~ Mey and wey > D> HCE), Now, set er = HN = V= img), c= HV ~V~ Ime.) = HON ~V~ uty ~ T) and inductively, for i Meg¥s 3 25, Yr), if 7 isoad if @ iseven, We then have = NPC) < yyy S FON Ym) SADE EIN Vom and hence by the definition of 7. yneom, <9(0= reHMe)). Thus, by the definition of c1, BD HME) > ying ELON Vag hg INV tag tye (82+ €).Yv—V—my—me, )s 29) Go) aD 2) 33) G4) 33) 36) SV tteg = Mey = 38) 89) oy‘Downloaded by (Christopher Newport University] at 08:02 02 July 2012 Journal of Difference Equations and Applicat 1587 and hence IN-Veomy =m > A — rerzerlKe), (1) We then have, arguing as above, shat if z is odd In particular YW-U = w= Voom is < 2(Q ~ (rrera)Sorzer' (ED), 43) Letting € tend to zero in (35) and (46) gives that gi) = O and the result follows, 3. Further results and open questions In this section, we consider some related results regarding asymptotic periodicities for solutions to (1). First, note thar the case Ws 1 in Conjecture 1 follows directly from Theorem 3. THEOREM 4. Suppose the function f satisfies the requirentents of Theorem | (or Theorent 2} and that ged(hy, 2,1 +m) = 1. Then, every positive solution to (1) with L=2 converges to the unique equilibrium. Proof. Set T= my + my and note that since ged(7’,p) = 1, there exists. a Q = O such that my + OT = Omodp. a The result then follows upon applying Theorem 3. g As preliminary progress, in the case W regarding equations of small order 1, we provide the following theorem THPOREM 5. Suppose the function f satisfies the requirements of Conjecture | and that Wis defined via (7). If LSm FOs, Yo) S fQ+ 9 O+ 9) = O+ vw, Inductively, we then have that for f= 0, yyy, @ [D2 ~ 1.042} if r= Omod3 and [9 + »), gO — v)] otherwise. Noting that v tends to zero with € gives that {yi} asymptotically periodic with period three. Now, suppose (kr, k2,mn1,m) == (4,4, 1,3). Arguing as above, with gi + ¢) = Q+e forn = N= 4 and yy = O ~ e, we have that for 2 = 0 (Qe O4n, if r= Omodd Yat & {ice + 9), @Q ~ W], if r= 1,3mod4. a Now, consider the sequence {yy+4-2]j-» and suppose yey 0 0 (50) for some J > 0. We have for some X {yy:says3.Yivsay5) that yieagenies = fOins24) 2 fOwese2a(O = DDS years sp by (50), since by (9), D(x, Q~ = fls.Q~ H)/w is decreasing in uw and DQ — v.92 = 1 ‘Thus, either {yy44j2]/00 is a non-decreasing sequence tending to some limit B-< O— vor aterm in the sequence eventually lies in the interval [0 — v,Q + rv]. Thus. suppose limpanYx.4)-2= B 0, that there exists a J” > | satisfying B> ywoarnaa = fOnsuse-yan (O ~ ) > fB~ 6, Q~ ). (2) Thus, 1 (53) Letting 6 tend to zero and employing the continuity of f, we bave FB, O~ 9) sy B Since D(u, gi ~ ») is decreasing in w and DQ ~ vr, g(@— 1) contradicts the assumption on B. It can be easily verified that B > O — v whieh a single term yyysarsa‘Downloaded by (Christopher Newport University] at 08:02 02 July 2012 Journal of Difference Equations and Applications 1589 satisfies yy:j4y62 = C2 — », then as in (49), yy-sgi2 = 2 ~ wor all j ence v) tend t0 zero, we have, employing (49), that {yi} is in fact asymptotically period ovo. a Proving Theorem 5 was facilitated by the fact that the set of limit points of {yy}. in these cases, is exuctly the set (2. g(@)}. ‘This is not the case in general. In fact computations suggest that the sets of limit points can be quite large. We close with the following general conjecture. ConmeroRE 2. Suppose the funetion f satisfies the requirements of Theorem 1 (or Theorem 2). If L = 1, p= god(hs,ka, «.. kr) and y = ty:} is a solition to (1), then y is asymptotically periodie with (not necessarily prime) period p. Notes 1, Email: guyrt7@winedu 2. Email: harrel6@wfv.edu References (I) AM. Amieh, EA. Grove, CM. Kent and G. Luis. On some difference equations with ‘eventually periodic solutions, . Math, Anal. Appl. 223 (1998). pp. 196-~ (2) AM. Auch, J. Hoag, and Gi Ladas, A dliference eguation with evenwally pertodic solutions Advances indifference equations, I Compu. Math. Appl. 36(10~12) (1998), pp. 401-404. [3] KS. Bereahaut and RT. Guy, Periodicity and boundedness for the integer solutions to a rminiman-delay difference equation, 5. Ditter. Equ. Appl. 16(8) (2010), pp. 895.916. [4] KS. Berenhaat and RT. Guy. Syamerric functions and difference equations with asymploticaly period-twe soluions, et. Differ. Equ. 41) (2008), pp. 4348 15] KS. Berenhaui, J.D. Foley, and S. Stevie, The global auvractivity of the rationat difference equation \, 14. 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