Algebraic independence of solutions of first-order rational difference equations (Q384014)

The author gives a new proof of the algebraic independence of the functions \(x\), \(e^x\) and the Weierstraß\ function \(\mathfrak{P}(x)\) by using the functional relation which allows one to express \(\mathfrak{P}(2x)\) as a rational function of \(\mathfrak{P}(x)\). This is a particular case of a general result involving solutions of first-order nonlinear difference equations. Other applications of this general result are given.