Chapter 1 introduces elementary classical special functions. Gamma, beta, psi, zeta functions, hypergeometric functions and the associated special functions, generalizations to Meijer's G and Fox's H-functions are examined here. Discussion is confined to basic properties and selected applications. Introduction to statistical distribution theory is provided. Some recent extensions of Dirichlet integrals and Dirichlet densities are discussed. A glimpse into multivariable special functions such as Appell's functions and Lauricella functions is part of Chapter 1. Special functions as solutions...

This textbook presents a rigorous approach to multivariable calculus in the context of model building and optimization problems. This comprehensive overview is based on lectures given at five SERC Schools from 2008 to 2012 and covers a broad range of topics that will enable readers to understand and create deterministic and nondeterministic models. Researchers, advanced undergraduate, and graduate students in mathematics, statistics, physics, engineering, and biological sciences will find this book to be a valuable resource for finding appropriate models to describe real-life...