(definition)
Definition: The specification of a sequence of values in terms of earlier values in the sequence and base values.
Also known as recurrence equations.
See also Master theorem.
Note: Fibonacci numbers may be described by the recurrence relation F(n) = F(n-1) + F(n-2), where F(1)=1 and F(2)=1. Execution times are often computed by setting up, then solving, a unary recurrence relation, such as T(n) = 2T(n/4) + 2.
From Algorithms and Theory of Computation Handbook, page 1-26, Copyright © 1999 by CRC Press LLC. Appearing in the Dictionary of Computer Science, Engineering and Technology, Copyright © 2000 CRC Press LLC.
Author: CRC-A
If you have suggestions, corrections, or comments, please get in touch with Paul E. Black.
Entry modified 17 December 2004.
HTML page formatted Fri Mar 25 16:20:35 2011.
Cite this as:
Algorithms and Theory of Computation Handbook, CRC Press LLC, 1999, "recurrence relation", in
Dictionary of Algorithms and Data
Structures [online], Paul E. Black, ed.,
U.S. National Institute of
Standards and Technology. 17 December 2004. (accessed TODAY)
Available from: http://www.nist.gov/dads/HTML/recurrence.html
