\(k\)-free recurrences of double hypergeometric terms (Q1883403)

A function \(f(n)\) is hypergeometric if the quotient \(f(n+1)/f(n)\) is a rational function of \(n\). Under some additional conditions it is called proper hypergeometric. A function \(f(n)\) is holonomic if it satisfies a linear recurrence with coefficients being polynomials in \(n\). Those definitions can be naturally extended to functions in several variables. The author proves the conjecture of \textit{H.~S.~Wilf} and \textit{D.~Zeilberger} [Invent. Math. 108, 575--633 (1992; Zbl 0739.05007)] that a hypergeometric function is proper hypergeometric if and only if it is holonomic for functions in two discrete variables. This result has been proven independently by \textit{O.~Ore} [Comptes Rendus 189, 1238 (1929; JFM 55.0220.03); J. Math. Pures Appl. 9, 311--326 (1930; JFM 56.0313.13)], by \textit{M.~Sato, T.~Shintani} and \textit{M.~Muro} [Nagoya Math. J. 120, 1--34 (1990; Zbl 0703.22011)], by \textit{G.~Payne} in his PhD thesis [Multivariate hypergeometric terms (The Pennsylvania State University) (1997; Zbl 1016.33006)], and by \textit{S.~A.~Abramov} and \textit{M. Petkovšek} [Adv.~Appl. Math. 29, 386-411 (2002; Zbl 1057.33016)].