More Properties of the Incomplete Gamma Functions

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

More Properties of the Incomplete Gamma Functions MORE PROPERTIES OF THE INCOMPLETE GAMMA FUNCTIONS R. AlAhmad Mathematics Department, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan 21163, email:rami [email protected] February 17, 2015 Abstract In this paper, additional properties of the lower gamma functions and the error functions are introduced and proven. In particular, we prove interesting relations between the error functions and Laplace transform. AMS Subject Classification: 33B20 Key Words and Phrases: Incomplete beta and gamma functions, error functions. 1 Introduction Definition 1.1. The lower incomplete gamma function is defined as: arXiv:1502.04606v1 [math.CA] 29 Nov 2014 x s 1 t γ(s, x)= t − e− dt. Z0 Clearly, γ(s, x) Γ(s) as x . The properties of these functions are listed in −→ −→ ∞ many references( for example see [2], [3] and [4]). In particular, the following properties are needed: Proposition 1.2. [1] s x 1. γ(s +1, x)= sγ(s, x) x e− , − x 2. γ(1, x)=1 e− , − 1 3. γ 2 , x = √π erf (√x) . 1 2 Main Results Proposition 2.1. [1]For a< 0 and a + b> 0 ∞ a 1 Γ(a + b) x − γ(b, x) dx = . − a Z0 Proposition 2.2. For a =0 6 √t s (ar)2 1 s +1 2 r e− dr = γ( , a t). 2as+1 2 Z0 Proof. The substitution u = r2 gives √ 2 t a t s−1 s (ar)2 1 u 1 s +1 2 r e− dr = e− u 2 du = γ( , a t). 2as+1 2as+1 2 Z0 Z0 Proposition 2.3. ξ x x 1 ηt η t − e− dt = γ(x,ηξ) Z0 Proof. ηξ t x 1 γ(x,ηξ)= e− t − 0 Z ξ ξ ηt x 1 x x 1 ηt = e− (ηt) − = η t − e− dt Z0 Z0 The incomplete gamma function γ(a, t) satisfies Lemma 2.4. For t 0, ≥ π/2 2 2 2a 1 2b 1 γ(a, t)= γ(a + b, t sec (θ)) cos − (θ) sin − (θ)dθ. Γ(b) Z0 Proof. The strip (x, y):0 <x< √t,y > 0 is mapped to (r, θ):0 <r< √t sec(θ), 0 < { } { θ<π/2 , where x = r cos(θ) and y = r sin(θ). } Now, Using the substitutions z = x2 and v = y2, we get √t t ∞ x2 2a 1 y2 2b 1 ∞ z a 1 v b 1 4 e− x − e− y − dydx = e− z − e− v − dvdz. Z0 Z0 Z0 Z0 2 This result gives t ∞ z a 1 v b 1 γ(a, t)Γ(b)= e− z − e− v − dvdz Z0 Z0 √t ∞ x2 2a 1 y2 2b 1 =4 e− x − e− y − dydx Z0 Z0 π/2 √t sec(θ) 2a 1 2b 1 r2 2a+2b 1 (2.1) =4 cos − (θ) sin − (θ)e− r − drdθ. Z0 Z0 Using Proposition 2.2 and Equation 2.1 we get π/2 2 2a 1 2b 1 γ(a, t)Γ(b)=2 γ(a + b, t sec (θ)) cos − (θ) sin − (θ)dθ. Z0 As a remark, in Lemma 2.4, if we let t then γ(a, t) Γ(a) and γ(a + −→ ∞ −→ b, t sec2(θ)) Γ(a + b). This proves the well-known result that is −→ π/2 Γ(a)Γ(b) 2a 1 2b 1 (2.2) β(a, b)= =2 cos − (θ) sin − (θ)dθ. Γ(a + b) Z0 As a manner of fact, one can easily show that It is Known that the gamma function satisfies the property Proposition 2.5. The gamma function Γ satisfies Γ(1 a)Γ(a)= π csc(πa). − The following is an extension of this result Lemma 2.6. For t 0, ≥ π/2 t sec2(θ) 2a 1 γ(a, t)Γ(1 a)=2 (1 e− )cot − (θ)dθ − 0 − Z π/2 t sec2(θ) 2a 1 =π csc(πa) 2 e− cot − (θ)dθ. − Z0 Proof. Proposition 1.2 implies 2 t sec2(θ) (2.3) γ(1, t sec (θ))=1 e− . − Then Lemma 2.4 with b =1 a gives the result. − This lemma gives the following 3 Proposition 2.7. For 1 <a< 0, − t ∞ 1 e− Γ(a + 1) − dt = . t1 a − a Z0 − Proof. Using Lemma 2.1 we get ∞ a 1 Γ(a + b) x − γ(b, x) dx = . − a Z0 Multiply both sides by Γ(1 b) and use Lemma 2.6 to get − π/2 Γ(1 b)Γ(a + b) ∞ t sec2(θ) a 1 2a 1 − =2 (1 e− )t − cot − (θ)dθdt. − a − Z0 Z0 Interchange the order of the integral and use the substitution u = t sec2(θ) to get: u π/2 Γ(1 b)Γ(a + b) ∞ 1 e− 2a+2b 1 1 2b − = − du 2 cos − (θ) sin − (θ)dθdθ . − a u1 a Z0 − Z0 ! Use Equation 2.2 to get the result. Corollary 2.8. The error function satisfies π/2 2 1 2 2b 1 erf(√at)= γ( + b, at sec (θ)) sin − (θ)dθ. √πΓ(b) 2 Z0 In particular, π/2 2 at sec2(θ) erf(√at)=1 e− dθ. − π Z0 Proof. By Lemma 2.4 with a =1/2 and Proposition 1.2, we get π/2 2 1 2 2b 1 √π erf(√at)= γ(1/2, at)= γ( + b, at sec (θ)) sin − (θ)dθ. Γ(b) 2 Z0 Therefore, π/2 2 1 2 2b 1 erf(√at)= γ( + b, at sec (θ)) sin − (θ)dθ. √πΓ(b) 2 Z0 The last equation with b = 1 gives 2 π/2 erf(√at)= γ(1, at sec2(θ))dθ. π Z0 Using Equation 2.3 implies π/2 π/2 2 2 2 at sec2(θ) erf(√at)= γ(1, at sec (θ))dθ =1 e− dθ. π − π Z0 Z0 i.e., π/2 2 at sec2(θ) (2.4) erfc(√at)=1 erf(√at)= e− dθ. − π Z0 4 Multiplying Equation 2.4 by eat implies π/2 at 2 at tan2(θ) (2.5) e erfc(√at)= e− dθ. π Z0 Equation 2.4 gives the following results Lemma 2.9. π/2 2 ∞ 2 2a ∞ F (s ) (2.6) f(t) erfc(a√t)dt = F (a2 sec2(θ))dθ = ds, 2 2 0 π 0 π a s√s a Z Z Z − where F (s)=( f)(s) is the Laplace transform of f(t). L Proof. Equation 2.4 implies π/2 ∞ 2 ∞ ta2 sec2(θ) f(t) erfc(a√t)dt = f(t)e− dθdt. π Z0 Z0 Z0 By interchanging the order of the integral, we get: π/2 ∞ 2 ∞ ta2 sec2(θ) (2.7) f(t) erfc(a√t)dt = f(t)e− dtdθ. π Z0 Z0 Z0 st Now, Since the Laplace transform is given as F (s)=( f)(s)= ∞ f(t)e− dt, then L 0 2 2 R ∞ ta sec (θ) 2 2 (2.8) f(t)e− dt = F (a sec (θ)). Z0 Then Equations 2.7 and 2.9 prove the result that π/2 ∞ 2 f(t) erfc(a√t)dt = F (a2 sec2(θ))dθ. π Z0 Z0 In addition, the substitution s = a sec2 θ implies that π/2 2 2 2a ∞ F (s ) F (a2 sec2(θ))dθ = ds. 2 2 π 0 π a s√s a Z Z − Corollary 2.10. For r > 1, − 3 ∞ Γ(r + ) 2aΓ(r + 1) ∞ 1 tr erfc(a√t)dt = 2 = ds. 2r+2 2r+3 2 2 0 a √π(1 + r) π a s √s a Z Z − Moreover, for µ> 1 − µ ∞ 1 Γ(1 + ) tµ erfc(at)dt = 2 . √π aµ+1(1 + µ) Z0 5 Proof. Lemma 2.9 implies that π/2 ∞ 2 Γ(r + 1) tr erfc(a√t)dt = dθ. π (a2 sec2 θ)r+1 Z0 Z0 Use Equation 2.2 to get that π/2 1 1 π/2 1 Γ(r + 3 )√π dθ = (cos2 θ)r+1dθ = 2 . (a2 sec2 θ)r+1 a2r+2 a2r+2 2Γ(r + 2) Z0 Z0 Therefore, 3 3 ∞ 2 Γ(r + )√π Γ(r + ) (2.9) tr erfc(a√t)dt = Γ(r + 1) 2 = 2 . π 2a2r+2Γ(r + 2) a2r+2√π(1 + r) Z0 Now, the substitution u = √t into equation 2.9 with a = 1 gives that 3 ∞ ∞ Γ(r + ) 2 u2r+1 erfc(u)du = tr erfc(√t)dt = 2 . √π(1 + r) Z0 Z0 Hence, µ 1 3 µ ∞ µ 1 Γ( −2 + 2 ) 1 Γ(1 + 2 ) u erfc(u)du = µ 1 = . 2 √π(1 + − ) √π 1+ µ Z0 2 Lastly, µ ∞ 1 ∞ 1 Γ(1 + ) tµ erfc(at)dt = tµ erfc(t)dt = 2 . aµ+1 √π aµ+1(1 + µ) Z0 Z0 Following similar proof of Lemma 2.9 and using Equation 2.5, we get the following result Lemma 2.11. π/2 2 ∞ 2 2 2a ∞ F (s ) (2.10) ea tf(t) erfc(a√t)dt = F (a2 tan2(θ))dθ = ds, π π s2 + a2 Z0 Z0 Za where F (s)=( f)(s) is the Laplace transform of f(t). L Corollary 2.12. For r > 1, − ∞ 2 2aΓ(r + 1) ∞ 1 trea t erfc(a√t)dt = ds. π s2r+2(s2 + a2) Z0 Za Substitute the Laplace transform of the dirac delta function f(t) = δ(t b) which is bs − F (s)= e− into Equations 2.6 and 2.10 to get that Proposition 2.13. b2t2 ∞ e π (2.11) − dt = erfc(ab).
Recommended publications
  • The Error Function Mathematical Physics
    R. I. Badran The Error Function Mathematical Physics The Error Function and Stirling’s Formula The Error Function: x 2 The curve of the Gaussian function y e is called the bell-shaped graph. The error function is defined as the area under part of this curve: x 2 2 erf (x) et dt 1. . 0 There are other definitions of error functions. These are closely related integrals to the above one. 2. a) The normal or Gaussian distribution function. x t2 1 1 1 x P(, x) e 2 dt erf ( ) 2 2 2 2 Proof: Put t 2u and proceed, you might reach a step of x 1 2 P(0, x) eu du P(,x) P(,0) P(0,x) , where 0 1 x P(0, x) erf ( ) Here you can prove that 2 2 . This can be done by using the definition of error function in (1). 0 u2 I I e du Now you need to find P(,0) where . To find this integral you have to put u=x first, then u= y and multiply the two resulting integrals. Make the change of variables to polar coordinate you get R. I. Badran The Error Function Mathematical Physics 0 2 2 I 2 er rdr d 0 From this latter integral you get 1 I P(,0) 2 and 2 . 1 1 x P(, x) erf ( ) 2 2 2 Q. E. D. x 2 t 1 2 1 x 2.b P(0, x) e dt erf ( ) 2 0 2 2 (as proved earlier in 2.a).
    [Show full text]
  • Error Functions
    Error functions Nikolai G. Lehtinen April 23, 2010 1 Error function erf x and complementary er- ror function erfc x (Gauss) error function is 2 x 2 erf x = e−t dt (1) √π Z0 and has properties erf ( )= 1, erf (+ ) = 1 −∞ − ∞ erf ( x)= erf (x), erf (x∗) = [erf(x)]∗ − − where the asterisk denotes complex conjugation. Complementary error function is defined as ∞ 2 2 erfc x = e−t dt = 1 erf x (2) √π Zx − Note also that 2 x 2 e−t dt = 1 + erf x −∞ √π Z Another useful formula: 2 x − t π x e 2σ2 dt = σ erf Z0 r 2 "√2σ # Some Russian authors (e.g., Mikhailovskiy, 1975; Bogdanov et al., 1976) call erf x a Cramp function. 1 2 Faddeeva function w(x) Faddeeva (or Fadeeva) function w(x)(Fadeeva and Terent’ev, 1954; Poppe and Wijers, 1990) does not have a name in Abramowitz and Stegun (1965, ch. 7). It is also called complex error function (or probability integral)(Weide- man, 1994; Baumjohann and Treumann, 1997, p. 310) or plasma dispersion function (Weideman, 1994). To avoid confusion, we will reserve the last name for Z(x), see below. Some Russian authors (e.g., Mikhailovskiy, 1975; Bogdanov et al., 1976) call it a (complex) Cramp function and denote as W (x). Faddeeva function is defined as 2 2i x 2 2 2 w(x)= e−x 1+ et dt = e−x [1+erf(ix)] = e−x erfc ( ix) (3) √π Z0 ! − Integral representations: 2 2 i ∞ e−t dt 2ix ∞ e−t dt w(x)= = (4) π −∞ x t π 0 x2 t2 Z − Z − where x> 0.
    [Show full text]
  • Global Minimax Approximations and Bounds for the Gaussian Q-Functionbysumsofexponentials 3
    IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON COMMUNICATIONS 1 Global Minimax Approximations and Bounds for the Gaussian Q-Function by Sums of Exponentials Islam M. Tanash and Taneli Riihonen , Member, IEEE Abstract—This paper presents a novel systematic methodology The Gaussian Q-function has many applications in statis- to obtain new simple and tight approximations, lower bounds, tical performance analysis such as evaluating bit, symbol, and upper bounds for the Gaussian Q-function, and functions and block error probabilities for various digital modulation thereof, in the form of a weighted sum of exponential functions. They are based on minimizing the maximum absolute or relative schemes and different fading models [5]–[11], and evaluat- error, resulting in globally uniform error functions with equalized ing the performance of energy detectors for cognitive radio extrema. In particular, we construct sets of equations that applications [12], [13], whenever noise and interference or describe the behaviour of the targeted error functions and a channel can be modelled as a Gaussian random variable. solve them numerically in order to find the optimized sets of However, in many cases formulating such probabilities will coefficients for the sum of exponentials. This also allows for establishing a trade-off between absolute and relative error by result in complicated integrals of the Q-function that cannot controlling weights assigned to the error functions’ extrema. We be expressed in a closed form in terms of elementary functions. further extend the proposed procedure to derive approximations Therefore, finding tractable approximations and bounds for and bounds for any polynomial of the Q-function, which in the Q-function becomes a necessity in order to facilitate turn allows approximating and bounding many functions of the expression manipulations and enable its application over a Q-function that meet the Taylor series conditions, and consider the integer powers of the Q-function as a special case.
    [Show full text]
  • Error and Complementary Error Functions Outline
    Error and Complementary Error Functions Reading Problems Outline Background ...................................................................2 Definitions .....................................................................4 Theory .........................................................................6 Gaussian function .......................................................6 Error function ...........................................................8 Complementary Error function .......................................10 Relations and Selected Values of Error Functions ........................12 Numerical Computation of Error Functions ..............................19 Rationale Approximations of Error Functions ............................21 Assigned Problems ..........................................................23 References ....................................................................27 1 Background The error function and the complementary error function are important special functions which appear in the solutions of diffusion problems in heat, mass and momentum transfer, probability theory, the theory of errors and various branches of mathematical physics. It is interesting to note that there is a direct connection between the error function and the Gaussian function and the normalized Gaussian function that we know as the \bell curve". The Gaussian function is given as G(x) = Ae−x2=(2σ2) where σ is the standard deviation and A is a constant. The Gaussian function can be normalized so that the accumulated area under the
    [Show full text]
  • NM Temme 1. Introduction the Incomplete Gamma Functions Are Defined by the Integrals 7(A,*)
    Methods and Applications of Analysis © 1996 International Press 3 (3) 1996, pp. 335-344 ISSN 1073-2772 UNIFORM ASYMPTOTICS FOR THE INCOMPLETE GAMMA FUNCTIONS STARTING FROM NEGATIVE VALUES OF THE PARAMETERS N. M. Temme ABSTRACT. We consider the asymptotic behavior of the incomplete gamma func- tions 7(—a, —z) and r(—a, —z) as a —► oo. Uniform expansions are needed to describe the transition area z ~ a, in which case error functions are used as main approximants. We use integral representations of the incomplete gamma functions and derive a uniform expansion by applying techniques used for the existing uniform expansions for 7(0, z) and V(a,z). The result is compared with Olver's uniform expansion for the generalized exponential integral. A numerical verification of the expansion is given. 1. Introduction The incomplete gamma functions are defined by the integrals 7(a,*)= / T-Vcft, r(a,s)= / t^e^dt, (1.1) where a and z are complex parameters and ta takes its principal value. For 7(0,, z), we need the condition ^Ra > 0; for r(a, z), we assume that |arg2:| < TT. Analytic continuation can be based on these integrals or on series representations of 7(0,2). We have 7(0, z) + r(a, z) = T(a). Another important function is defined by 7>>*) = S7(a,s) = =^ fu^e—du. (1.2) This function is a single-valued entire function of both a and z and is real for pos- itive and negative values of a and z. For r(a,z), we have the additional integral representation e-z poo -zt j.-a r(a, z) = — r / dt, ^a < 1, ^z > 0, (1.3) L [i — a) JQ t ■+■ 1 which can be verified by differentiating the right-hand side with respect to z.
    [Show full text]
  • An Ad Hoc Approximation to the Gauss Error Function and a Correction Method
    Applied Mathematical Sciences, Vol. 8, 2014, no. 86, 4261 - 4273 HIKARI Ltd, www.m-hikari.com http://dx.doi.org/10.12988/ams.2014.45345 An Ad hoc Approximation to the Gauss Error Function and a Correction Method Beong In Yun Department of Statistics and Computer Science, Kunsan National University, Gunsan, Republic of Korea Copyright c 2014 Beong In Yun. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Abstract We propose an algebraic type ad hoc approximation method, taking a simple form with two parameters, for the Gauss error function which is valid on a whole interval (−∞, ∞). To determine the parameters in the presented approximation formula we employ some appropriate con- straints. Furthermore, we provide a correction method to improve the accuracy by adding an auxiliary term. The plausibility of the presented method is demonstrated by the results of the numerical implementation. Mathematics Subject Classification: 62E17, 65D10 Keywords: Error function, ad hoc approximation, cumulative distribution function, correction method 1 Introduction The Gauss error function defined below is a special function appearing in statistics and partial differential equations. x 2 2 erf(x)=√ e−t dt , −∞ <x<∞ , (1) π 0 which is strictly increasing and maps the real line R onto an interval (−1, 1). The integral can not be represented in a closed form and its Taylor series 4262 Beong In Yun expansion is ∞ 2 (−1)nx2n+1 erf(x)=√ (2) π n=0 n!(2n +1) which converges for all −∞ <x<∞ [2].
    [Show full text]
  • Gammachi: a Package for the Inversion and Computation of The
    GammaCHI: a package for the inversion and computation of the gamma and chi-square cumulative distribution functions (central and noncentral) Amparo Gila, Javier Segurab, Nico M. Temmec aDepto. de Matem´atica Aplicada y Ciencias de la Comput. Universidad de Cantabria. 39005-Santander, Spain. e-mail: [email protected] bDepto. de Matem´aticas, Estad´ıstica y Comput. Universidad de Cantabria. 39005-Santander, Spain c IAA, 1391 VD 18, Abcoude, The Netherlands1 Abstract A Fortran 90 module GammaCHI for computing and inverting the gamma and chi-square cumulative distribution functions (central and noncentral) is presented. The main novelty of this package are the reliable and accurate inversion routines for the noncentral cumulative distribution functions. Ad- ditionally, the package also provides routines for computing the gamma func- tion, the error function and other functions related to the gamma function. The module includes the routines cdfgamC, invcdfgamC, cdfgamNC, invcdfgamNC, errorfunction, inverfc, gamma, loggam, gamstar and quotgamm for the computation of the central gamma distribution function (and its complementary function), the inversion of the central gamma dis- tribution function, the computation of the noncentral gamma distribution function (and its complementary function), the inversion of the noncentral arXiv:1501.01578v1 [cs.MS] 7 Jan 2015 gamma distribution function, the computation of the error function and its complementary function, the inversion of the complementary error function, the computation of: the gamma function, the logarithm of the gamma func- tion, the regulated gamma function and the ratio of two gamma functions, respectively. PROGRAM SUMMARY 1Former address: CWI, 1098 XG Amsterdam, The Netherlands Preprint submitted to Computer Physics Communications September 12, 2018 Manuscript Title: GammaCHI: a package for the inversion and computation of the gamma and chi- square cumulative distribution functions (central and noncentral) Authors: Amparo Gil, Javier Segura, Nico M.
    [Show full text]
  • 6.2 Incomplete Gamma Function, Error Function, Chi-Square Probability Function, Cumulative Poisson Function
    216 Chapter 6. Special Functions which is related to the gamma function by Γ(z)Γ(w) B(z, w)= (6.1.9) Γ(z + w) hence go to http://world.std.com/~nr or call 1-800-872-7423 (North America only),or send email [email protected] (outside North America). machine-readable files (including this one) to anyserver computer, is strictly prohibited. To order Numerical Recipesbooks and diskettes, is granted for users of the World Wide Web to make one paper copy their own personal use. Further reproduction, or any copying Copyright (C) 1988-1992 by Cambridge University Press.Programs Numerical Recipes Software. Permission World Wide Web sample page from NUMERICAL RECIPES IN C: THE ART OF SCIENTIFIC COMPUTING (ISBN 0-521-43108-5) #include <math.h> float beta(float z, float w) Returns the value of the beta function B(z, w). { float gammln(float xx); return exp(gammln(z)+gammln(w)-gammln(z+w)); } CITED REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING: Abramowitz, M., and Stegun, I.A. 1964, Handbook of Mathematical Functions, Applied Math- ematics Series, vol. 55 (Washington: National Bureau of Standards; reprinted 1968 by Dover Publications, New York), Chapter 6. Lanczos, C. 1964, SIAM Journal on Numerical Analysis, ser. B, vol. 1, pp. 86±96. [1] 6.2 Incomplete Gamma Function, Error Function, Chi-Square Probability Function, Cumulative Poisson Function The incomplete gamma function is de®ned by x γ(a, x) 1 t a 1 P (a, x) e− t − dt (a>0) (6.2.1) ≡ Γ(a) ≡ Γ(a) Z0 It has the limiting values P (a, 0) = 0 and P (a, )=1 (6.2.2) ∞ The incomplete gamma function P (a, x) is monotonic and (for a greater than one or so) rises from ªnear-zeroº to ªnear-unityº in a range of x centered on about a 1, and of width about √a (see Figure 6.2.1).
    [Show full text]
  • FT. the Second Fundamental Theorem of Calculus
    FT. SECOND FUNDAMENTAL THEOREM 1. The Two Fundamental Theorems of Calculus The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus really consists of two closely related theorems, usually called nowadays (not very imaginatively) the First and Second Fundamental Theo- rems. Of the two, it is the First Fundamental Theorem that is the familiar one used all the time. It is the theorem that tells you how to evaluate a definite integral without having to go back to its definition as the limit of a sum of rectangles. First Fundamental Theorem Let f(x) be continuous on [a,b]. Suppose there is a function F (x) such that f(x)= F ′(x) . Then b b (1) f(x) dx = F (b) F (a) = F (x) . Za − a (The last equality just gives another way of writing F (b) F (a) that is in widespread use.) Still another way of writing the theorem is to observe that−F (x) is an antiderivative for f(x), or as it is sometimes called, an indefinite integral for f(x); using the standard notation for indefinite integral and the bracket notation given above, the theorem would be written b b (1′) f(x) dx = f(x) dx . Za Z a Writing the theorem this way makes it look sort of catchy, and more importantly, it avoids having to introduce the new symbol F (x) for the antiderivative. In contrast with the above theorem, which every calculus student knows, the Second Fundamental Theorem is more obscure and seems less useful. The purpose of this chapter is to explain it, show its use and importance, and to show how the two theorems are related.
    [Show full text]
  • Short Course on Asymptotics Mathematics Summer REU Programs University of Illinois Summer 2015
    Short Course on Asymptotics Mathematics Summer REU Programs University of Illinois Summer 2015 A.J. Hildebrand 7/21/2015 2 Short Course on Asymptotics A.J. Hildebrand Contents Notations and Conventions 5 1 Introduction: What is asymptotics? 7 1.1 Exact formulas versus approximations and estimates . 7 1.2 A sampler of applications of asymptotics . 8 2 Asymptotic notations 11 2.1 Big Oh . 11 2.2 Small oh and asymptotic equivalence . 14 2.3 Working with Big Oh estimates . 15 2.4 A case study: Comparing (1 + 1=n)n with e . 18 2.5 Remarks and extensions . 20 3 Applications to probability 23 3.1 Probabilities in the birthday problem. 23 3.2 Poisson approximation to the binomial distribution. 25 3.3 The center of the binomial distribution . 27 3.4 Normal approximation to the binomial distribution . 30 4 Integrals 35 4.1 The error function integral . 35 4.2 The logarithmic integral . 37 4.3 The Fresnel integrals . 39 5 Sums 43 5.1 Euler's summation formula . 43 5.2 Harmonic numbers . 46 5.3 Proof of Stirling's formula with unspecified constant . 48 3 4 CONTENTS Short Course on Asymptotics A.J. Hildebrand Notations and Conventions R the set of real numbers C the set of complex numbers N the set of positive integers x; y; t; : : : real numbers h; k; n; m; : : : integers (usually positive) [x] the greatest integer ≤ x (floor function) fxg the fractional part of x, i.e., x − [x] p; pi; q; qi;::: primes P summation over all positive integers ≤ x n≤x P summation over all nonnegative integers ≤ x (i.e., including 0≤n≤x n = 0) P summation over all primes ≤ x p≤x Convention for empty sums and products: An empty sum (i.e., one in which the summation condition is never satisfied) is defined as 0; an empty product is defined as 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Error Functions, Mordell Integrals and an Integral Analogue of Partial Theta Function
    ERROR FUNCTIONS, MORDELL INTEGRALS AND AN INTEGRAL ANALOGUE OF PARTIAL THETA FUNCTION ATUL DIXIT, ARINDAM ROY, AND ALEXANDRU ZAHARESCU Dedicated to Professor Bruce C. Berndt on the occasion of his 75th birthday Abstract. A new transformation involving the error function erf(z), the imaginary error function erfi(z), and an integral analogue of a partial theta function is given along with its character analogues. Another complementary error function transformation is also ob- tained which when combined with the first explains a transformation in Ramanujan's Lost Notebook termed by Berndt and Xu as the one for an integral analogue of theta function. These transformations are used to obtain a variety of exact and approximate evaluations of some non-elementary integrals involving hypergeometric functions. Several asymptotic expansions, including the one for a non-elementary integral involving a product of the Rie- mann Ξ-function of two different arguments, are obtained, which generalize known results due to Berndt and Evans, and Oloa. 1. Introduction Z 1 eax2+bx Mordell initiated the study of the integral cx dx, Re(a) < 0, in his two influen- −∞ e + d tial papers [32, 33]. Prior to his work, special cases of this integral had been studied, for example, by Riemann in his Nachlass [47] to derive the approximate functional equation for the Riemann zeta function, by Kronecker [26, 27] to derive the reciprocity for Gauss sums, and by Lerch [29, 30, 31]. Mordell showed that the above integral can be reduced to two standard forms, namely, Z 1 eπiτx2−2πzx '(z; τ) := τ 2πx dx; (1.1) −∞ e − 1 Z 1 eπiτx2−2πzx σ(z; τ) := 2πτx dx; −∞ e − 1 for Im(τ) > 0, and was the first to study the properties of these integrals with respect to modular transformations.
    [Show full text]
  • A Table of Integrals of the Error Functions*
    JOURNAL OF RESEAR CH of the Natiana l Bureau of Standards - B. Mathematical Sciences Vol. 73B, No. 1, January-March 1969 A Table of Integrals of the Error Functions* Edward W. Ng** and Murray Geller** (October 23, 1968) This is a compendium of indefinite and definite integrals of products of the Error function with elementary or transcendental functions. A s'ubstantial portion of the results are ne w. Key Words: Astrophysics; atomic physics; Error functions; indefi nite integrals; special functions; statistical analysis. 1. Introduction Integrals of the error function occur in a great variety of applicati ons, us ualJy in problems involvin g multiple integration where the integrand contains expone ntials of the squares of the argu­ me nts. Examples of applications can be cited from atomic physics [16),1 astrophysics [13] , and statistical analysis [15]. This paper is an attempt to give a n up-to-date exhaustive tabulation of s uch integrals. All formulas for indefi nite integrals in sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.5, a nd 4.6 below were derived from integration by parts and c hecked by differe ntiation of the resulting expressions_ Section 4.3 and the second hali' of 4.5 cover all formulas give n in [7] , with omission of trivial duplications and with a number of additions; section 4.4 covers essentially formulas give n in [4], Vol. I, pp. 233-235. All these formulas have been re-derived and checked, eithe r from the integral representation or from the hype rgeometric series of the error function. Sections 4.7,4_8 and 4_9 ori ginated in a more varied way.
    [Show full text]