Difference equations and their symmetries

Abstract

The aim of the dissertation is to extend on the work done by Hydon in [17]. We only consider second order ordinary difference equations and calculate their symmetry generators, first integrals and reduce their order, that is, find a general solution. We investigate the association between a symmetry generator and a first integral. Furthermore, we investigate when a reduced equation may be further reduced and lead to a double reduction. The examples considered are obtained from [17]. ii