of Lyness Equation

Assuming x > y the pattern of signs (starting with the i = - 1 term) is+, - , - , - , +,

We now tum our attention to the leading coefficients of the expression on the left

side of equation (). It is easy to verifY that there are two cases, one where the degree of

+, - , - , +, +, - , - , +, .... We now set out to show that this pattern of signs

continues cyclically.