Special Functions for Applied Scientists

Chapter 1 introduces elementary classical special functions. Gamma, beta, psi, zeta functions, hypergeometric functions and the associated special functions, generalizations to Meijer's G and Fox's H-functions are examined here. Discussion is confined to basic properties and selected applications. Introduction to statistical distribution theory is provided. Some recent extensions of Dirichlet integrals and Dirichlet densities are discussed. A glimpse into multivariable special functions such as Appell's functions and Lauricella functions is part of Chapter 1. Special functions as solutions of differential equations are examined. Chapter 2 is devoted to fractional calculus. Fractional integrals and fractional derivatives are discussed. Their applications to reaction-diffusion problems in physics, input-output analysis, and Mittag-Leffler stochastic processes are developed. Chapter 3 deals with q-hyper-geometric or basic hypergeometric functions. Chapter 4 covers basic hypergeometric functions and Ramanujan's work on elliptic and theta functions. Chapter 5 examines the topic of special functions and Lie groups. Chapters 6 to 9 are devoted to applications of special functions. Applications to stochastic processes, geometric infinite divisibility of random variables, Mittag-Leffler processes, alpha-Laplace processes, density estimation, order statistics and astrophysics problems, are dealt with in Chapters 6 to 9. Chapter 10 is devoted to wavelet analysis. An introduction to wavelet analysis is given. Chapter 11 deals with the Jacobians of matrix transformations. Various types of matrix transformations and the associated Jacobians are provided. Chapter 12 is devoted to the discussion of functions of matrix argument in the real case. Functions of matrix argument and the pathway models along with their applications are discussed.

From the reviews:

"Special functions refer to functions, of one or several real or complex variables, that play key roles in … one area of mathematics, particularly number theory, combinatorics, complex analysis, differential equations, Lie group representations, probability, statistics, and mathematical physics. … Summing Up: Recommended. Comprehensive academic, technical program, and professional collections, all levels." (D. V. Feldman, Choice, Vol. 46 (5), January, 2009)

"This book differs significant from other text books on special functions, because every chapter deals with the topic on one of the courses of the SSF. … Many examples illustrate the use of theorems and formulas. At the end of each section exercises are given. … An interesting book for all scientists interested in applications of special functions in physical sciences. It contains a speedy access to many special functions used in applications and also a lot of applications." (H.-J. Glaeske, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1151, 2009)

“This book is based on selected lectures given by several speakers at the Centre for Mathematical Sciences … from 1995 to 2007. … In the present book these lectures are written up in a style for self-study by scientists, engineers and mathematicians interested in applications … . Who can profit from this book? Physicists, engineers, other scientists, applied mathematicians, economists, looking for a well-readable introduction … . this book is surely recommended to open-minded researchers in any scientific and technical area … .” (Francesco Mainardi, Journal of Approximation Theory, February, 2010)

Arakaparampil Mathai Mathai was born in Arakulam in the Idukki district of Kerala, India. He is the eldest son of Aley and Arakaparampil Mathai. He completed his High School education in 1953 with record marks in St. Thomas High School, Palai. He then entered St. Thomas College in Palai, obtained his B.Sc. degree in Mathematics in 1957 and went to the University of Kerala, Trivandrum, where he completed his M.Sc. degree in Statistics in 1959 with first class, first rank and a golden medal. He joined St. Thomas College as a lecturer from 1959 to 1961. In 1961, he was awarded a Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship and went to the University of Toronto were he completed an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics in only three years, the minimum required time. He then joined McGill University in Montreal - one of the most prestigious universities in Canada - where he was Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Statistics, 1964-1968, Associate Professor, 1968-1978, and Full Professor, 1979-2000. Since 2000, he is Emeritus Professor in Mathematics and Statistics at McGill University, Montreal, Canada. He served and is currently serving on editorial boards of a number of journals and he has supervised over 30 Master's students and 5 Ph.D. students. Currently he is the Director of the Centre for Mathematical Sciences, Trivandrum and Pala Campuses, Kerala, India which he is developing into an national, regional, and international centre of research in the mathematical sciences. The holding of five six-week SERC Schools in 1995, 2000, 2005, 2006, and 2007 are a testament of highest achievements in teaching and research in the mathematical sciences for the Centre.

A.M. Mathai is a Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, India, and a Fellow of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics, United States of America. He is an Elected Member of the International Statistical Institute, The Netherlands. He is the Founder of the Canadian Journal of Statistics, Canada, and the Founder of the Statistical Science Association of Canda (now, Statistical Society of Canada). Professor Mathai is a Honorary Member of the Organizing Committee of the United Nations/European Space Agency/National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the United States of America Workshops on basic space science which have been held, since 1991, in India, Costa Rica, Colombia, Nigeria, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Germany, Honduras, Jordan, France, Mauritius, Argentina, China, United Arab Emirates, India, and Japan. Professor Mathai is author or co-author of thirteen research level books, seven undergraduate-graduate level books, and more than thirty edited and co-edited proceedings. More than 250 published research papers in journals from around the world are showing the breadth of the array of topics that he has tackled as well as the depth, the complexity and the originality of his published results put him in a class all his own. All these publications concern A.M. Mathai's research areas with significant research contributions in mathematial statistics, applied statistics, probability, astrophysics, information theory, mathematics, and specific problems in biological models, orthogonal polynomials, dispersion theory, axiomatization of basic statistical concepts, pollution problems, and transportation problems. I am glad to inform you at this opportunity that an electronic library, recording all of A.M. Mathai's publications, is currently under preparation at the United Nations in Vienna.

The co-author, H.J. Haubold, has applied results of Mathai in the theory of special functions, statistics, and fractional calculus to problems in astrophysics.