On the recursive sequence \(x_{n+1} = \max\{x_n,A\}/x_n^2x_{n - 1}\) (Q1958774)

Summary: We investigate the periodic nature of the solution of the max-type difference equation \(x_{n+1}=\max\{x_n,A\}/x_n^2x_{n-1},\) \(n=0,1,2,\dots\), where the initial conditions are \(x_{-1}=A^{r_1}\) and \(x_0=A^{r_2}\) for \(A\in (0,\infty)\), and that \(r_1\) and \(r_2\) are positive rational numbers. The results in this paper solve the open problem proposed by \textit{E. A. Grove} and \textit{G. Ladas} [Periodicities in nonlinear difference equations. Boca Raton, FL: Chapman \& Hall/CRC (2005; Zbl 1078.39009), p. 218, open problem 6.4].