Published online by Cambridge University Press: 17 February 2009
The paper uses the factorisation method to discuss solutions of period three for the difference equation
which has been proposed as a simple mathematical model for the effect of frequency dependent selection in genetics. Numerical values are obtained for the critical values of a at which solutions of period three first appear. In addition, the interval in which stable solutions are possible has been determined. Exact solutions are given for the case a = 4 and these have been used to check the results.