Monotone inequalities, dynamical systems, and paths in the positive orthant of Euclidean \(n\)-space (Q987436)

Let \(\mathbb{R}^n_+\) denote the positive orthant in the \(n\)-dimensional Euclidean space \(\mathbb{R}^n\). A continuous mapping \(T:\mathbb{R}^n_+ \rightarrow \mathbb{R}^n_+\) such that \(x \leq y \Rightarrow Tx \leq Ty\) is called a monotone operator (here, \(x \leq y\) signifies the fact that \(y-x \in \mathbb{R}^n_+\)). Given a monotone operator on \(\mathbb{R}^n_+\), the author explores the relation between inequalities involving the operator and an induced monotone dynamical system given by \(x^{k+1}=T(x^k)\). Attractivity of the origin (for the given dynamical system) implies stability for this system, as well as the inequality \(T(x) - x \ngeq 0\) (meaning that the vector \(T(x) - x\) has at least one negative component), which is referred to as the no-joint-increase condition. A certain converse is established. A ``positive continuous selection problem'' is also solved.