3
$\begingroup$

This Wolfram MathWorld page on hypergeometric functions states that

An infinite family of rational values for well-poised hypergeometric functions with rational arguments is given by $$_kF_{k-1}\left[\frac{1}{k+1},\dots,\frac{k}{k+1};\frac{2}{k},\frac{3}{k},\dots,\frac{k-1}{k},\frac{k+1}{k};\left(\frac{x(1-x^k)}{f_k}\right)^k\right]=\frac{1}{1-x^k}$$ for $k=2,3,\dots$, $0\leq x\leq(k+1)^{-1/k}$, and $$f_k\equiv\frac{k}{(1+k)^{1+1/k}}$$ (M. L. Glasser, pers. comm., Sept. 26, 2003).

So far, I've been unsuccessful in finding a source for this statement beyond "personal communication". Hypergeometric functions are only tangentially related to my problem, so I'm hoping someone more familiar with the topic might have seen this or a similar result. I am particularly interested in the case $x = (k + 1)^{-1/k}$.

Any help in tracking down the source of or verifying the statement is greatly appreciated.

$\endgroup$
1
  • $\begingroup$ Have you tried getting in touch with M. L. Glasser? $\endgroup$ Commented Sep 12, 2023 at 0:03

1 Answer 1

6
$\begingroup$

The formula $$\sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{1}{kn+1}\binom{(k+1)n}{n}(x(1-x)^k)^n=\frac{1}{1-x}\tag{1}$$ is well known and an easy consequence of Lagrange inversion. If $k$ is a positive integer $(1)$ may be written as $$_kF_{k-1}\left[\frac{1}{k+1},\dots,\frac{k}{k+1};\frac{2}{k},\frac{3}{k},\dots,\frac{k-1}{k},\frac{k+1}{k};\frac{(k+1)^{k+1}}{k^k} x(1-x)^k\right]=\frac{1}{1-x}.$$

Replacing $x$ with $x^k$ gives Glasser's formula.

$\endgroup$
1
  • $\begingroup$ Ah, that is so simple now that I see it. Thank you for the response! $\endgroup$ Commented Sep 12, 2023 at 13:52

You must log in to answer this question.

Start asking to get answers

Find the answer to your question by asking.

Ask question

Explore related questions

See similar questions with these tags.