Global stability of a third-order nonlinear system of difference equations with period-two coefficients (Q523108)

The authors are concerned with the following system of third-order rational difference equations \[ x_{n+1}=\frac{p_n+y_n}{p_n+y_{n-2}}, y_{n+1}=\frac{q_n+x_n}{q_n+x_{n-2}}, \qquad n=0,1,2,\dots, \] where \(\{p_n\}\) and \(\{q_n\}\) are \(2\)-periodic sequences of positive numbers, and the initial values \(x_{-i}\), \(y_{-i}\in [0,\infty)\), for \(i=0, 1, 2\). Some study is performed on an equivalent system. Firstly, the lower and upper bounds of solutions are determined. Then, with linearization, a sufficient and necessary condition on the local stability of the unique equilibrium is obtained. Under some conditions depending on the coefficients, the unique equilibrium is further shown to be a global attractor. The rate of convergence to the unique equilibrium is also given. Thirdly, an oscillation result is established for solutions with the initial values satisfying \((x_{-1}-1)(y_{2j_0}-1)>0\) or \((y_{-1}-1)(x_{2j_0}-1)>0\) for some \(j_0\in \{-1,0\}\). Finally, sufficient conditions guaranteeing the non-existence of prime period-two, four, and six solutions are provided. Some numerical simulations are carried out to demonstrate the stability results.