On a class of fourth-order nonlinear difference equations (Q2388385)

The authors consider the difference equation \[ \Delta(a_n\Delta(b_n\Delta(c_n\Delta y_n))) + f(n,y_n)=0, \quad n=0,1,\dots \] where \(\Delta y_n = y_{n+1}-y_n\), \(\{a_n\}\), \(\{b_n\}\), and \(\{c_n\}\) are positive real sequences. A solution of (1) is called nonoscillatory if it eventually positive or eventually negative. Let \(F_n = x_{n-1}(a_n\Delta(b_n\Delta(a_{n+1}\Delta x_n))) - (a_n\Delta x_{n-1})(b_n\Delta(a_{n+1}\Delta x_n))\). If \(F_n \geq 0\) for all \(n \in N\), then a solution \(\{y_n\}\) of (1) is called an \(F_+\)-solution. If \(F_n < 0\) for some \(n\), then \(\{y_n\}\) is called an \(F_-\)-solution. The authors establish relations between these types of solutions and their nonoscillatory behavior. Necessary and sufficient conditions are obtained for the existence of nonoscillatory solutions with special asymptotic properties. Examples are given to illustrate the proved theorems.