Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2016 / ia / Paper 2 / 7A / a / Solution

For the exponent $\sigma =m$, the linear recurrence relation reduces to $(m+n)a_n=-a_{n-1}$. The excluded nonpositive integers ensure that no denominator is zero. Normalize $a_0=1$ and iterate:The ratio test gives an infinite radius of convergence for the power series factor. Hence a solution isFor nonintegral $m$, choose instead the exponent $\sigma =0$. Since $n-m\ne 0$ for every positive integer $n$, its linear recurrence relation gives $n{a}_n=-a_{n-1}$. ThusThe distinct nonintegral leading exponents establish linear independence. More explicitly, $W(e^{-x},y_m)=m{e}^{-x}{x}^{m-1}$ by the Abel identity and the leading coefficient at zero, so the Wronskian is nonzero. The factor $x^m$ uses the real branch on $x>0$.