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How do i solve recurrence relations like $a(n) = 3a(n/2) - 2a(n/4); a(1)=3; a(2)=5$? I don't think I can draw a recursion tree since there's no function like $2n$ at the end.

Viktor Vaughn
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1 Answers1

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Let $b(m)=a(2^m)$ for $m=0,1,\ldots$. Then, your recursion relation becomes $b(m)=3 b(m-1)-2 b(m-2)$ with $b(0)=3$ and $b(1)=5$. This can be solved by introducing the generating function $f(q)=\sum_{m=0} b(m) q^m$ and determining it using the given recursion relation.

Look up how to solve two-term recursion relations with constant coefficients if you don't know how to do that else ask here.

suresh
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