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Prabhakar function

Prabhakar function is a mathematics topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Prabhakar function rather than just read about it. In short: Prabhakar function is a certain special function in mathematics introduced by the Indian mathematician Tilak Raj Prabhakar in a paper published in 1971. The function is a three-parameter generalization of the well known two-parameter Mittag-Leffler function in mathematics.

Key takeaways

  • Prabhakar function belongs to mathematics; place it in that map before memorising details.
  • Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
  • Connect Prabhakar function to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
  • Reproduce the core statement of Prabhakar function from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

Prabhakar function is a certain special function in mathematics introduced by the Indian mathematician Tilak Raj Prabhakar in a paper published in 1971. The function is a three-parameter generalization of the well known two-parameter Mittag-Leffler function in mathematics. The function was originally introduced to solve certain classes of integral equations. Later the function was found to have applications in the theory of fractional calculus and also in certain areas of physics.

Definition The one-parameter and two-parameter Mittag-Leffler functions are defined first. Then the definition of the three-parameter Mittag-Leffler function, the Prabhakar function, is presented. In the following definitions, Γ ( z ) {\displaystyle \Gamma (z)} is the well known gamma function defined by

Γ ( z ) = ∫ 0 ∞ t z − 1 e − z d z , ℜ ( z ) > 0 {\displaystyle \Gamma (z)=\int _{0}^{\infty }t^{z-1}e^{-z}\,dz,\quad \Re (z)>0} . In the following it will be assumed that α {\displaystyle \alpha } , β {\displaystyle \beta } and γ {\displaystyle \gamma } are all complex numbers.

One-parameter Mittag-Leffler function The one-parameter Mittag-Leffler function is defined as

E α ( z ) = ∑ n = 0 ∞ z n Γ ( α n + 1 ) . {\displaystyle E_{\alpha }(z)=\sum _{n=0}^{\infty }{\dfrac {z^{n}}{\Gamma (\alpha n+1)}}.}

Two-parameter Mittag-Leffler function The two-parameter Mittag-Leffler function is defined as

E α , β ( z ) = ∑ n = 0 ∞ z n Γ ( α n + β ) , ℜ ( α ) > 0. {\displaystyle E_{\alpha ,\beta }(z)=\sum _{n=0}^{\infty }{\dfrac {z^{n}}{\Gamma (\alpha n+\beta )}},\quad \Re (\alpha )>0.}

Three-parameter Mittag-Leffler function (Prabhakar function) The three-parameter Mittag-Leffler function (Prabhakar function) is defined by

E α , β γ ( z ) = ∑ n = 0 ∞ ( γ ) n n ! Γ ( α n + β ) z n , ℜ ( α ) > 0 {\displaystyle E_{\alpha ,\beta }^{\gamma }(z)=\sum _{n=0}^{\infty }{\dfrac {(\gamma )_{n}}{n!\Gamma (\alpha n+\beta )}}z^{n},\quad \Re (\alpha )>0}

where ( γ ) n = γ ( γ + 1 ) … ( γ + n − 1 ) {\displaystyle (\gamma )_{n}=\gamma (\gamma +1)\ldots (\gamma +n-1)} .

Elementary special cases The following special cases immediately follow from the definition.

E α , β 0 ( z ) = 1 Γ ( β ) {\displaystyle E_{\alpha ,\beta }^{0}(z)={\frac {1}{\Gamma (\beta )}}}

E α , β 1 ( z ) = E α , β ( z ) {\displaystyle E_{\alpha ,\beta }^{1}(z)=E_{\alpha ,\beta }(z)} , the two-parameter Mittag-Leffler function.

E α , 1 1 ( z ) = E α ( z ) {\displaystyle E_{\alpha ,1}^{1}(z)=E_{\alpha }(z)} , the one-parameter Mittag-Leffler function.

… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Prabhakar function

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Prabhakar function claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In mathematics, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Prabhakar function before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Prabhakar function ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Prabhakar function

In research
Prabhakar function appears in mathematics research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry
Engineering practice reuses Prabhakar function in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom
Prabhakar function is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Fractional calculus, Integral equations, Special functions, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life
Look for Prabhakar function outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Prabhakar function in 20 minutes

  1. Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
  2. Close the page and write down what Prabhakar function means in your own words.
  3. Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
  4. Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
  5. Explain Prabhakar function out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Prabhakar function in simple terms?

Prabhakar function is a certain special function in mathematics introduced by the Indian mathematician Tilak Raj Prabhakar in a paper published in 1971. The function is a three-parameter generalization of the well known two-parameter Mittag-Leffler function in mathematics.

Why does Prabhakar function matter?

Because it connects several mathematics ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Prabhakar function?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Prabhakar function.

Tags

  • Fractional calculus
  • Integral equations
  • Special functions

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