An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A → sequence based on a → rule that gives the next → term as a → function of the previous term(s). For example, the sequence 3, 9, 21, 45,… can be represented by the recurrence relation u_n+1 = 2u_n + 3, where u₁ = 3 and n ≥ 1.

See also: → recurrence; → relation.