An Introduction To Special Functions

The subjects treated in this book have been especially chosen to represent a bridge connecting the content of a first course on the elementary theory of analytic functions with a rigorous treatment of some of the most important special functions: the Euler gamma function, the Gauss hypergeometric function, and the Kummer confluent hypergeometric function. Such special functions are indispensable tools in "higher calculus" and are frequently encountered in almost all branches of pure and applied mathematics. The only knowledge assumed on the part of the reader is an understanding of basic concepts to the level of an elementary course covering the residue theorem, Cauchy's integral formula, the Taylor and Laurent series expansions, poles and essential singularities, branch points, etc. The book addresses the needs of advanced undergraduate and graduate students in mathematics or physics.

This book gives an introduction to the classical, well-known special functions which play a role in mathematical physics, especially in boundary value problems. Calculus and complex function theory form the basis of the book and numerous formulas are given. Particular attention is given to asymptomatic and numerical aspects of special functions, with numerous references to recent literature provided.

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

With students of Physics chiefly in mind, we have collected the material on special functions that is most important in mathematical physics and quan tum mechanics. We have not attempted to provide the most extensive collec tion possible of information about special functions, but have set ourselves the task of finding an exposition which, based on a unified approach, ensures the possibility of applying the theory in other natural sciences, since it pro vides a simple and effective method for the independent solution of problems that arise in practice in physics, engineering and mathematics. For the American edition we have been able to improve a number of proofs; in particular, we have given a new proof of the basic theorem (§3). This is the fundamental theorem of the book; it has now been extended to cover difference equations of hypergeometric type (§§12, 13). Several sections have been simplified and contain new material. We believe that this is the first time that the theory of classical or thogonal polynomials of a discrete variable on both uniform and nonuniform lattices has been given such a coherent presentation, together with its various applications in physics.

This book gives an introduction to the classical, well-known special functions which play a role in mathematical physics, especially in boundary value problems. Calculus and complex function theory form the basis of the book and numerous formulas are given. Particular attention is given to asymptomatic and numerical aspects of special functions, with numerous references to recent literature provided.

Contains the various principal special functions in common use and their basic properties and manipulations. Discusses expansions of functions in infinite series and infinite product and the asymptotic expansion of functions. For physicists, engineers, and mathematicians. Acidic paper. Paper edition (unseen), $38. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Physics, chemistry, and engineering undergraduates will benefit from this straightforward guide to special functions. Its topics possess wide applications in quantum mechanics, electrical engineering, and many other fields. 1968 edition. Includes 25 figures.

Computation of Special Functions is a valuable book/software package containing more than 100 original computer programs for the computation of most special functions currently in use. These include many functions commonly omitted from available software packages, such as the Bessel and modified Bessel functions, the Mathieu and modified Mathieu functions, parabolic cylinder functions, and various prolate and oblate spheroidal wave functions. Also, unlike most software packages, this book/disk set gives readers the latitude to modify programs according to the special demands of the sophisticated problems they are working on. The authors provide detailed descriptions of the program's algorithms as well as specific information about each program's internal structure.