difference equation

noun

An equation involving an ordered sequence of real numbers (a_nₙ₌₁ ᪲) and some of its differences, where the first difference is defined as Δ(a_n)=a_n+1-a_n, and the kᵗʰ difference is defined recursively as Δᵏ(a_n)=Δᵏ⁻¹(a_n+1)-Δᵏ⁻¹(a_n),.

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Meanings

noundifference equation (plural difference equations)

plural difference equations

  1. mathematicsAn equation involving an ordered sequence of real numbers (a_nₙ₌₁ ᪲) and some of its differences, where the first difference is defined as Δ(a_n)=a_n+1-a_n, and the kᵗʰ difference is defined recursively as Δᵏ(a_n)=Δᵏ⁻¹(a_n+1)-Δᵏ⁻¹(a_n),.
  2. mathematicsmore broadly, any recurrence relation

Synonyms & antonyms

Also see
recurrence relation

Translations

Finnish differenssiyhtälö
  • differenssiyhtälömath: type of equation
Cite this entry
APA

difference equation. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/difference%20equation

MLA

“difference equation.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/difference%20equation. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “difference equation,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/difference%20equation.

Source: difference equation on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.