Special Functions (Paperback)

George E. Andrews

ISBN 10: 0521789885 / ISBN 13: 9780521789882

Published by Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2001

About this Item

Paperback. Special functions, natural generalizations of the elementary functions, have been studied for centuries. The greatest mathematicians, among them Euler, Gauss, Legendre, Eisenstein, Riemann, and Ramanujan, have laid the foundations for this beautiful and useful area of mathematics. This treatise presents an overview of special functions, focusing primarily on hypergeometric functions and the associated hypergeometric series, including Bessel functions and classical orthogonal polynomials, using the basic building block of the gamma function. In addition to relatively new work on gamma and beta functions, such as Selberg's multidimensional integrals, many important but relatively unknown nineteenth century results are included. Other topics include q-extensions of beta integrals and of hypergeometric series, Bailey chains, spherical harmonics, and applications to combinatorial problems. The authors provide organizing ideas, motivation, and historical background for the study and application of some important special functions. This clearly expressed and readable work can serve as a learning tool and lasting reference for students and researchers in special functions, mathematical physics, differential equations, mathematical computing, number theory, and combinatorics. Special functions, which include the trigonometric functions, have been used for centuries. Their role in the solution of differential equations was exploited by Newton and Leibniz, and the subject of special functions has been in continuous development ever since. In just the past thirty years several new special functions and applications have been discovered. This treatise presents an overview of the area of special functions, focusing primarily on the hypergeometric functions and the associated hypergeometric series. It includes both important historical results and recent developments and shows how these arise from several areas of mathematics and mathematical physics. Particular emphasis is placed on formulas that can be used in computation. The book begins with a thorough treatment of the gamma and beta functions that are essential to understanding hypergeometric functions. Later chapters discuss Bessel functions, orthogonal polynomials and transformations, the Selberg integral and its applications, spherical harmonics, q-series, partitions, and Bailey chains. This clear, authoritative work will be a lasting reference for students and researchers in number theory, algebra, combinatorics, differential equations, applied mathematics, mathematical computing, and mathematical physics. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9780521789882

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Special Functions (Paperback)
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
• Publication Date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521789885
• ISBN 13: 9780521789882
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

An overview of special functions, focusing on the hypergeometric functions and the associated hypergeometric series.

Review

'Occasionally there is published a mathematics book that one is compelled to describe as, well, let us say, special. Special Functions is certainly one of those rare books. ... this treatise ... should become a classic. Every student, user, and researcher in analysis will want to have it close at hand as she/he works.' The Mathematical Intelligencer

' ... the material is written in an excellent manner ... I recommend this book warmly as a rich source of information to everybody who is interested in 'Special Functions'.' Zentralblatt MATH

' ... this book contains a wealth of fascinating material which is presented in a user-friendly way. If you want to extend your knowledge of special functions, this is a good place to start. Even if your interests are in number theory or combinatorics, there is something for you too ... the book can be warmly recommended and should be in all good libraries.' Adam McBride, The Mathematical Gazette

' ... it comes into the range of affordable books that you want to (and probably should have on your desk'. Jean Mawhin, Bulletin of the Belgian Mathematical Society

'The book is full of beautiful and interesting formulae, as was always the case with mathematics centred around special functions. It is written in the spirit of the old masters, with mathemtics developed in terms of formulas. There are many historical comments in the book. It can be recommended as a very useful reference.' European Mathematical Society

'... full of beautiful and interesting formulae ... It can be recommended as a very useful reference.' EMS Newsletter