Asymptotics and Special Functions provides a comprehensive introduction to two important topics in classical analysis: asymptotics and special functions. The integrals of a real variable and contour integrals are discussed, along with the Liouville-Green approximation and connection formulas for solutions of differential equations. Differential equations with regular singularities are also considered, with emphasis on hypergeometric and Legendre functions. Comprised of 14 chapters, this volume begins with an introduction to the basic concepts and definitions of asymptotic analysis and special functions, followed by a discussion on asymptotic theories of definite integrals containing a parameter. Contour integrals as well as integrals of a real variable are described. Subsequent chapters deal with the analytic theory of ordinary differential equations; differential equations with regular and irregular singularities; sums and sequences; and connection formulas for solutions of differential equations. The book concludes with an evaluation of methods used in estimating (as opposed to bounding) errors in asymptotic approximations and expansions. This monograph is intended for graduate mathematicians, physicists, and engineers.

Introduction to Asymptotics and Special Functions is a comprehensive introduction to two important topics in classical analysis: asymptotics and special functions. The integrals of a real variable are discussed, along with contour integrals and differential equations with regular and irregular singularities. The Liouville-Green approximation is also considered. Comprised of seven chapters, this volume begins with an overview of the basic concepts and definitions of asymptotic analysis and special functions, followed by a discussion on integrals of a real variable. Contour integrals are then examined, paying particular attention to Laplace integrals with a complex parameter and Bessel functions of large argument and order. Subsequent chapters focus on differential equations having regular and irregular singularities, with emphasis on Legendre functions as well as Bessel and confluent hypergeometric functions. A chapter devoted to the Liouville-Green approximation tackles asymptotic properties with respect to parameters and to the independent variable, eigenvalue problems, and theorems on singular integral equations. This monograph is intended for students needing only an introductory course to asymptotics and special functions.

A classic reference, intended for graduate students mathematicians, physicists, and engineers, this book can be used both as the basis for instructional courses and as a reference tool.

Asymptotics and Mellin-Barnes Integrals, first published in 2001, provides an account of the use and properties of a type of complex integral representation that arises frequently in the study of special functions typically of interest in classical analysis and mathematical physics. After developing the properties of these integrals, their use in determining the asymptotic behaviour of special functions is detailed. Although such integrals have a long history, the book's account includes recent research results in analytic number theory and hyperasymptotics. The book also fills a gap in the literature on asymptotic analysis and special functions by providing a thorough account of the use of Mellin-Barnes integrals that is otherwise not available in other standard references on asymptotics.

Excellent introductory text, written by two experts, presents a coherent and systematic view of principles and methods. Topics include integration by parts, Watson's lemma, LaPlace's method, stationary phase, and steepest descents. Additional subjects include the Mellin transform method and less elementary aspects of the method of steepest descents. 1975 edition.

Special functions arise in many problems of pure and applied mathematics, mathematical statistics, physics, and engineering. This book provides an up-to-date overview of numerical methods for computing special functions and discusses when to use these methods depending on the function and the range of parameters. Not only are standard and simple parameter domains considered, but methods valid for large and complex parameters are described as well. The first part of the book (basic methods) covers convergent and divergent series, Chebyshev expansions, numerical quadrature, and recurrence relations. Its focus is on the computation of special functions; however, it is suitable for general numerical courses. Pseudoalgorithms are given to help students write their own algorithms. In addition to these basic tools, the authors discuss other useful and efficient methods, such as methods for computing zeros of special functions, uniform asymptotic expansions, Padé approximations, and sequence transformations. The book also provides specific algorithms for computing several special functions (like Airy functions and parabolic cylinder functions, among others).