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Unexpected brainmalfunction [was: Unexpected result with RSolve?]

  • To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
  • Subject: [mg33661] Unexpected brainmalfunction [was: Unexpected result with RSolve?]
  • From: wouter.van.den.broeck at vub.ac.be
  • Date: Thu, 4 Apr 2002 19:40:55 -0500 (EST)
  • References: <a8g3e2$b3i$1@smc.vnet.net>
  • Sender: owner-wri-mathgroup at wolfram.com

Thanks to all who pointed out the flaw in my deductive thinking ;)

wouter


On Wed, 3 Apr 2002 23:32:18 +0000 (UTC),
wouter.van.den.broeck at vub.ac.be wrote:

>Hey,
>
>There's probably a sound solution, but i'm struggling to grab it:
>
>RSolve[{a[n + 1] == n a[n], a[0] == 1}, a[n], n]
>
>returns:
>{{a[n] -> 0}}
>
>where, i believe it 'should' return
>{{a[n] -> (n-1)!}}
>
>Anyone care to give me some directions as to why this 'unexpected'
>result?
>
>(note: I started of with the standard textbook example: 
>RSolve[{a[n] == n a[n-1], a[0] == 1}, a[n], n]
>which returns 
>{{a[n] -> n!}}
>so there's no need to correct me in this direction, I just explored a
>bit, and wonder why i'm getting that result with the variation above)
>
>TIA
>
>wouter vdb
>
>
>




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