Disconjugacy for a third order linear difference equation (Q1334571)

The third order linear difference equation (1) \(\Delta^ 3 y(t-1) + p(t) \Delta y(t) + q(t)y(t) = 0\) \((t \in \{a + 1, \dots, b + 1\})\) is considered. A function \(y : \{a, \dots, b + 3\} \to \mathbb{R}\) is said to have a generalized zero at \(a\) if \(y(a) = 0\) and it is said to have a generalized zero at \(t_ 0 > a\) provided either \(y(t_ 0) = 0\) or there exists some \(k \in \{1, \dots, t_ 0 - a\}\) such that \(y(t_ 0 - 1) = \dots = y(t_ 0 - k + 1) = 0\) and \((-1)^ k y(t_ 0 - k) y(t_ 0) > 0\). Equation (1) is said to be disconjugate on \([a,b + 3]\) if no nontrivial solution of (1) has three generalized zeros in \([a,b + 3]\). In a similar way (1,2)-disconjugacy on \([a,b + 3]\) is defined. Using properties of the solutions of (1) and of its adjoint equation sufficient conditions for the following properties of (1) are provided: (1,2)-disconjugacy on \([a,b + 3]\), existence of positive solutions and disconjugacy on \([a,b + 3]\).