An Atlas of Functions : with Equator, the Atlas Function Calculator

This book comprehensively covers several hundred functions or function families. In chapters that progress by degree of complexity, it starts with simple, integer-valued functions then moves on to polynomials, Bessel, hypergeometric and hundreds more.

[email protected],[email protected]@uci.edu.AnErrataofknownerrorsandrevisionswillbefound on the publisher's website; please access www.springer.com/978-0-387-48806-6 and follow the links. This will be updated as and if new errors are detected or clarifications are found to be needed. Use of the Atlas of Functions or Equator, the Atlas function calculator is at your own risk. The authors and the publisher disclaim liability for any direct or consequential damage resulting from use of the Atlas or Equator. It is a pleasure to express our gratitude to Michelle Johnston, Sten Engblom, and Trevor Mace-Brickman for theirhelpinthecreationoftheAtlasandEquator. Thefrankcommentsofseveralreviewerswhoinspectedanearly versionofthemanuscripthavealsobeenofgreatvalue. WegivesincerethankstoSpringer,andparticularlytoAnn KostantandOonaSchmid,fortheircommitmenttothelengthytaskofcarryingtheconceptofAnAtlasofFunctions through to reality with thoroughness, enthusiasm, skill, and even some humor. Their forbearance in dealing with the authors is particularly appreciated. WehopeyouwillenjoyusingAnAtlasofFunctionsandEquator,andthattheywillprovehelpfulinyourwork or studies. January 2008 Keith B. Oldham Jan C. Myland Jerome Spanier Every chapter has sections devoted to: notation, behavior, definitions, special cases, intrarelationships, expansions, particular values, numerical values, limits and approximations, operations of the calculus, complex argument, generalizations, and cognate functions. In addition, each chapter has the special features itemized below its title. PREFACE v GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS 1 What functions are. Organization of the Atlas. Notational conventions. Rules of the calculus. THE CONSTANT FUNCTION c 13 Mathematical constants. Complex numbers. Pulse functions. Series of powers of natural numbers. THE FACTORIAL FUNCTION n!21 Double and triple factorial functions. Combinatorics. Stirling numbers of the second kind. THE ZETA NUMBERS AND RELATED FUNCTIONS 29 Special values. Apery's constant. The Debye functions of classical physics.