Hypergeometric Functions and Their Applications / Edition 1

by James B. Seaborn

Overview

Mathematics is playing an ever more important role in the physical and biological sciences, provoking a blurring of boundaries between scientific disciplines and a resurgence of interest in the modern as well as the clas­ sical techniques of applied mathematics. This renewal of interest, both in research and teaching, has led to the establishment of the series: Texts in Applied Mathematics (TAM). The development of new courses is a natural consequence of a high level of excitement on the research frontier as newer techniques, such as numerical and symbolic computer systems, dynamical systems, and chaos, mix with and reinforce the traditional methods of applied mathematics. Thus, the purpose of this textbook series is to meet the current and future needs of these advances and encourage the teaching of new courses. TAM will publish textbooks suitable for use in advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate courses, and will complement the Applied Mathe­ matical Sciences (AMS) series, which will focus on advanced textbooks and research level monographs. Preface A wide range of problems exists in classical and quantum physics, engi­ neering, and applied mathematics in which special functions arise. The procedure followed in most texts on these topics (e. g. , quantum mechanics, electrodynamics, modern physics, classical mechanics, etc. ) is to formu­ late the problem as a differential equation that is related to one of several special differential equations (Hermite's, Bessel's, Laguerre's, Legendre's, etc. ).

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781441930972
Publisher:	Springer New York
Publication date:	09/21/2011
Series:	Texts in Applied Mathematics , #8
Edition description:	Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1991
Pages:	250
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.02(d)

Table of Contents

1 Special Functions in Applied Mathematics.- 2 Differential Equations and Special Functions.- 3 The Confluent Hypergeometric Function.- 4 Problems in Two Dimensions.- 5 The Central Force Problem in Quantum Mechanics.- 6 The Radial Equation for Central Force Fields.- 7 Complex Analysis.- 8 Applications of Contour Integrals.- 9 Alternate Forms for Special Functions.- 10 Integral Representations of Special Functions.- 11 Generating Functions and Recursion Formulas.- 12 Orthogonal Functions.

Editorial Reviews

Many of the special functions of applied mathematics can be expressed in terms of hypergeometric functions. In this book each special function is seen to arise in one or more physical contexts as a solution of a differential equation that can be transformed into a hypergeometric equation. The special function is then defined in terms of a generalized hypergeometric function and the equivalence to alternate definitions is established. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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