difference equation

Noun

 * 1)  An equation involving an ordered sequence of real numbers ($$\left\{a_n\right\}_{n=1}^\infty$$) and some of its differences, where the first difference is defined as $$\Delta(a_n) = a_{n+1} - a_n\,$$ and the kth difference is defined recursively as $$\Delta^k(a_n) = \Delta^{k-1}(a_{n+1}) - \Delta^{k-1}(a_n)\,$$.
 * 2)  more broadly, any recurrence relation

Translations

 * Finnish: differenssiyhtälö