Global stability of a rational difference equation (Q5894105)

Summary: We consider the higher-order nonlinear difference equation \[ x_{n+1}=\frac{p+qx_{n-k}}{1+x_n+rx_{n-k}},\quad n=0,1,\ldots, \] where the parameters \(p\), \(q\), \(r\) and the initial conditions \(x_{-k},\ldots,x_0\) are nonnegative real numbers. We investigate the periodic character, invariant intervals, and the global asymptotic stability of all positive solutions of the above-mentioned equation. In particular, our results solve an open problem introduced by \textit{M. R. S. Kulenović} and \textit{G. Ladas} [Dynamics of second order rational difference equations. With open problems and conjectures. Boca Raton, FL: Chapman \& Hall/CRC (2002; Zbl 0981.39011)].