We present an alternative proof of the existence of density-conserving solutions to the discrete coagulation–fragmentation equations when the coagulation rates grow at most linearly. The proof relies on the study of the propagation of some moments of the solutions to approximating equations and simplifies the previous argument of Ball and Carr which involves rather delicate estimates. The case of multiple fragmentation is also considered, and the question of uniqueness as well.
AMS 2000 Mathematics subject classification: Primary 34A34; 82C22