Analysis of a system of nonlinear fractional nabla difference equations (Q906659)

The author considers the nonlinear fractional nabla difference systems \[ \nabla_{-1}^{\alpha} u(t) =f(t,u(t)),\tag{1} \] with initial condition \(\nabla_{-1}^{-(1-\alpha)} u(t)\big|_{t=0}=u(0)=c,\) and \[ \nabla_{0^{*}}^{\alpha} u(t) =f(t,u(t)),\tag{2} \] with initial condition \(u(0)=c,\) where \(0<\alpha<1\) and \(t\in\{1,2,3,\dots\}\). In both cases, \(c\), \(u(t)\) and \(f(t,u(t))\) belong to \(\mathbb R^n,\) being \(c\) constant and \(u\) (the desired solution) depending on \(t\). Moreover, \(\nabla_{-1}^{\alpha}\) and \(\nabla_{0^{*}}^{\alpha}\) are the Riemann-Liouville and Caputo-type fractional difference operators, respectively (for the definitions, consult for instance [\textit{I. Podlubny}, Fractional differential equations. An introduction to fractional derivatives, fractional differential equations, to methods of their solution and some of their applications. San Diego, CA: Academic Press (1999; Zbl 0924.34008)]). The author imposes sufficient conditions on \(f\) in order to guarantee (local) existence and uniqueness of solutions for the problems \((1)\) and \((2)\). Also, the dependence of solutions on initial conditions and parameters is analysed, as well as the global attractivity of their solutions. The employed tools are concerned mainly with the application of fixed point theorems. The main results are illustrated by a section devoted to examples, although the character of \(f(t,u(t))\) and \(u(t)\) is scalar (\(n=1\)).