Recurrence Sequences

Recurrence Sequences

Recurrence sequences are of great intrinsic interest and have been a central part of number theory for many years. Moreover, these sequences appear almost everywhere in mathematics and computer science. This book surveys the modern theory of linear recurrence sequences and their generalizations. Particular emphasis is placed on the dramatic impact that sophisticated methods from Diophantine analysis and transcendence theory have had on the subject. Related work on bilinear recurrences and an emerging connection between recurrences and graph theory are covered. Applications and links to other areas of mathematics are described, including combinatorics, dynamical systems and cryptography, and computer science. The book is suitable for researchers interested in number theory, combinatorics, and graph theory.

Recurrent Sequences

This self-contained text presents state-of-the-art results on recurrent sequences and their applications in algebra, number theory, geometry of the complex plane and discrete mathematics. It is designed to appeal to a wide readership, ranging from scholars and academics, to undergraduate students, or advanced high school and college students training for competitions. The content of the book is very recent, and focuses on areas where significant research is currently taking place. Among the new approaches promoted in this book, the authors highlight the visualization of some recurrences in the complex plane, the concurrent use of algebraic, arithmetic, and trigonometric perspectives on classical number sequences, and links to many applications. It contains techniques which are fundamental in other areas of math and encourages further research on the topic. The introductory chapters only require good understanding of college algebra, complex numbers, analysis and basic combinatorics. For Chapters 3, 4 and 6 the prerequisites include number theory, linear algebra and complex analysis. The first part of the book presents key theoretical elements required for a good understanding of the topic. The exposition moves on to to fundamental results and key examples of recurrences and their properties. The geometry of linear recurrences in the complex plane is presented in detail through numerous diagrams, which lead to often unexpected connections to combinatorics, number theory, integer sequences, and random number generation. The second part of the book presents a collection of 123 problems with full solutions, illustrating the wide range of topics where recurrent sequences can be found. This material is ideal for consolidating the theoretical knowledge and for preparing students for Olympiads.

Convergence Properties of Recurrence Sequences