An extension of Sharkovsky's theorem to periodic difference equations (Q819695)

The following system is studied: \[ x(n+1)=F(n,x(n))\tag{1} \] such that \(F(n+p,x)=F(n,x), p\) is a given positive integer. Geometric cycles of (1) are investigated. A simpler method for constructing \(p\)-periodic difference equations with \(r\)-periodic geometric cycles are given. A new ordering of positive integers (\(p\)-Sharkovsky ordering) is introduced. Both the Sharkovsky theorem and its converse are generalized to the system (1) [cf. \textit{A. N. Sharkovskij}, Ukr. Math. Zh. 16, 61--71 (1964; Zbl 0122.17504)].