Hypertranscendental function
A hypertranscendental function or transcendentally transcendental function is a transcendental analytic function which is not the solution of an algebraic differential equation with coefficients in and with algebraic initial conditions.
History
The term 'transcendentally transcendental' was introduced by E. H. Moore in 1896; the term 'hypertranscendental' was introduced by D. D. Morduhai-Boltovskoi in 1914.Definition
One standard definition defines solutions of differential equations of the formwhere is a polynomial with constant coefficients, as algebraically transcendental or differentially algebraic. Transcendental functions which are not algebraically transcendental are transcendentally transcendental. Hölder's theorem shows that the gamma function is in this category.
Hypertranscendental functions usually arise as the solutions to functional equations, for example the gamma function.
Examples
Hypertranscendental functions
- The zeta functions of algebraic number fields, in particular, the Riemann [zeta function]
- The gamma function
Transcendental but not hypertranscendental functions
- The exponential function, logarithm, and the trigonometric and hyperbolic functions.
- The generalized [hypergeometric function]s, including special cases such as Bessel functions.
Non-transcendental (algebraic) functions
- All algebraic functions, in particular polynomials.