UNIT 2 : Recurrence Relations
Linear Non-Homogeneous Recurrence relation
Important Terminologies
Relation between Shift Operator and Difference Opertaor
Use of shift Operator
Solution of Linear Non-Homogeneous Recurrence Relation using
inverse operator method
Quiz
Linear Non-Homogeneous Recurrence Relation
A linear Non-homogeneous recurrence relation with constant
coefficients is a recurrence relation of the form
an = c1 an−1 + c2 an−2 + · · · + ck an−k + g (n) where c1 , c2 , · · · , ck are real
numbers and g (n) is a function not identically zero depending only on n.
Linear Non-Homogeneous Recurrence Relation
A linear Non-homogeneous recurrence relation with constant
coefficients is a recurrence relation of the form
an = c1 an−1 + c2 an−2 + · · · + ck an−k + g (n) where c1 , c2 , · · · , ck are real
numbers and g (n) is a function not identically zero depending only on n.
The recurrence relation an = c1 an−1 + c2 an−2 + · · · + ck an−k is the
associated homogeneous recurrence relation. It plays an
important role in the solution of the nonhomogeneous recurrence
relation.
Linear Non-Homogeneous Recurrence Relation
A linear Non-homogeneous recurrence relation with constant
coefficients is a recurrence relation of the form
an = c1 an−1 + c2 an−2 + · · · + ck an−k + g (n) where c1 , c2 , · · · , ck are real
numbers and g (n) is a function not identically zero depending only on n.
The recurrence relation an = c1 an−1 + c2 an−2 + · · · + ck an−k is the
associated homogeneous recurrence relation. It plays an
important role in the solution of the nonhomogeneous recurrence
relation.
For example, an = 3an−1 + 2n is a linear non-homogeneous
recurrence relation with constant coefficients.
Examples of associated homogeneous recurrence relation
The recurrence relation an = an−1 + 2n is a linear non-homogeneous
recurrence relation with constant coefficients. Its associated
homogeneous recurrence relation is an = an−1 .
Examples of associated homogeneous recurrence relation
The recurrence relation an = an−1 + 2n is a linear non-homogeneous
recurrence relation with constant coefficients. Its associated
homogeneous recurrence relation is an = an−1 .
The recurrence relation an = an−1 + an−2 + n2 + n + 1 is a linear
non-homogeneous recurrence relation with constant coefficients. Its
associated homogeneous recurrence relation is an = an−1 + an−2 .
Theorem 5
(p)
Theorem :If {an } is a particular solution of the nonhomogeneous linear
recurrence relation with constant coefficients
an = c1 an−1 + c2 an−2 + · · · + ck an−k + F (n),
(p) (h) (h)
then every solution is of the form {an + an }, where {an } is a solution
of the associated homogeneous recurrence relation
an = c1 an−1 + c2 an−2 + · · · + ck an−k .
Important Terminology
Shift Operator : The shift operator ”E ” is defined as the operator that
increases the argument of a function by one tabular interval. Thus,
Ean = an+1
.
Important Terminology
Shift Operator : The shift operator ”E ” is defined as the operator that
increases the argument of a function by one tabular interval. Thus,
Ean = an+1
Difference Operator : The difference operator 4 is defined by
4an = an+1 − an
.
Relation between Shift Operator and Difference Operator
We have
4an = an+1 − an
⇒ 4an = Ean − an
⇒ 4an = (E − 1)an
⇒ 4 = E − 1.
Use of sift operator
The recurrence relation an = an−1 + an−2 can also be written as
an+2 = an+1 + an .
Here, we used the shift operator E two times.
The recurrence relation an = 5an−1 − 6an−2 + 7n can also be
written as
an+2 = 5an+1 − 6an + 7n+2 .
Here also, we used the shift operator two times.
Use of sift operator
The recurrence relation an = c1 an−1 + c2 an−2 + · · · + ck an−k + g (n) can
also be written as, using shift operator as follows :
an+k − c1 an+k−1 − c2 an+k−2 − · · · − ck an = g (n + k)
⇒ (E k − c1 E k−1 − c2 E k−2 − · · · − ck−1 E − ck )an = f (n)
⇒ F (E )an = f (n).
Use of sift operator
The recurrence relation an = c1 an−1 + c2 an−2 + · · · + ck an−k + g (n) can
also be written as, using shift operator as follows :
an+k − c1 an+k−1 − c2 an+k−2 − · · · − ck an = g (n + k)
⇒ (E k − c1 E k−1 − c2 E k−2 − · · · − ck−1 E − ck )an = f (n)
⇒ F (E )an = f (n).
Here, F (m) is the characteristic equation for the associated homogeneous
recurrence relation. And, after this, we can easily find the solution of the
homogeneous recurrence relation, as we discussed earlier. And, particular
solution is given by
1
P.S. = f (n)
F (E )
Method of inverse operator to solve non-homogeneous recurrence relation
1 n 1 n
Case 1:If f (n) = an , then P.S. = a = a , F (a) 6= 0.
F (E ) F (a)
Method of inverse operator to solve non-homogeneous recurrence relation
1 n 1 n
Case 1:If f (n) = an , then P.S. = a = a , F (a) 6= 0.
F (E ) F (a)
Example 1: Solve an = 5an−1 − 6an−2 + 7n
Method of inverse operator to solve non-homogeneous recurrence relation
1 n 1 n
Case 1:If f (n) = an , then P.S. = a = a , F (a) 6= 0.
F (E ) F (a)
Example 1: Solve an = 5an−1 − 6an−2 + 7n
Solution:The given recurrence relation can be written as, using shift
operator,
an+2 = 5an+1 − 6an + 7n+2
⇒ an+2 − 5an+1 + 6an = 7n+2
⇒ (E 2 − 5E + 6)an = 7n+2 .
Here, the characteristic equation is
m2 − 5m + 6 = 0
⇒ (m − 3)(m − 2) = 0
⇒ m = 3, 2.
cont . . .
So, the general solution of the associated homogeneous recurrence
relation is given by
an(h) = b1 3n + b2 2n
where, b1 , b2 are constants.
cont . . .
So, the general solution of the associated homogeneous recurrence
relation is given by
an(h) = b1 3n + b2 2n
where, b1 , b2 are constants.
And, particular solution is given by
1
P.S. = an(p) = 7n+2
E2
− 5E + 6
1
= 49. 2 7n
E − 5E + 6
49
= 2 7n
7 −5×7+6
49 n
= 7
20
Thus, required solution is
49 n
an = an(p) + an(h) = b1 3n + b2 2n + 7 .
20
Case 2:Failure Case : If F (a) = 0, then
1 n(n − 1)(n − 2) n−3
P.S. = 3
an = a
(E − a) 3!
Case 2:Failure Case : If F (a) = 0, then
1 n(n − 1)(n − 2) n−3
P.S. = 3
an = a
(E − a) 3!
Example 2: Solve an = 12an−1 − 48an−2 + 64an−3 = 5.4n−3 .
Case 2:Failure Case : If F (a) = 0, then
1 n(n − 1)(n − 2) n−3
P.S. = 3
an = a
(E − a) 3!
Example 2: Solve an = 12an−1 − 48an−2 + 64an−3 = 5.4n−3 .
Solution:The given recurrence relation can be written as, using shift
operator,
an+3 = 12an+2 − 48an+1 + 64an + 5.4n
⇒ an+3 − 12an+2 + 48an+1 − 64an = 5.4n
⇒ (E 3 − 12E 2 + 48E − 64)an = 5.4n .
Here, the characteristic equation is
m3 − 12m2 + 48m − 64 = 0
⇒ (m − 4)3 = 0
⇒ m = 4, 4, 4.
cont . . .
So, the general solution of the associated homogeneous recurrence
relation is given by
an(h) = b1 4n + b2 n4n + b3 n2 4n
where, b1 , b2 , b3 are constants.
cont . . .
So, the general solution of the associated homogeneous recurrence
relation is given by
an(h) = b1 4n + b2 n4n + b3 n2 4n
where, b1 , b2 , b3 are constants.
And, particular solution is given by
1
P.S. = an(p) = 5.4n
(E − 4)4
n(n − 1)(n − 2) n−3
= 5. 4
3!
5
= n(n − 1)(n − 2)4n−3
6
Thus, required solution is
5
an = an(p) + an(h) = b1 4n + b2 n4n + b3 n2 4n + . n(n − 1)(n − 2)4n−3 .
6
Quiz 1
The general solution of the recurrence relation
an = 2an−1 − an−2 + 2n is
A. b1 + b2 (2)n + 2n
B. b1 + b2 n + 2n
C. b1 + b2 n + 4.2n
D. b1 + b2 (2)n + n2n
Quiz 1
The general solution of the recurrence relation
an = 2an−1 − an−2 + 2n is
A. b1 + b2 (2)n + 2n
B. b1 + b2 n + 2n
C. b1 + b2 n + 4.2n
D. b1 + b2 (2)n + n2n
Answer : C
Quiz 2
The particular solution of the recurrence relation
an = 6an−1 − 12an−2 + 8an−3 + 2n−3 is
n(n − 1)(n − 2) n−3
A. 2
3
n(n − 1)(n − 2) n
B. 2
6
n(n − 1)(n − 2) n−3
C. 2
6
n(n − 1)(n − 2) n
D. 2
3
Quiz 2
The particular solution of the recurrence relation
an = 6an−1 − 12an−2 + 8an−3 + 2n−3 is
n(n − 1)(n − 2) n−3
A. 2
3
n(n − 1)(n − 2) n
B. 2
6
n(n − 1)(n − 2) n−3
C. 2
6
n(n − 1)(n − 2) n
D. 2
3
Answer : C
