Talk:Special functions

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I think this article is wrong at the moment. Polynomials, ln, exp, trig and hyperbolic functions are not usually considered special functions, because they are elementary functions. The term "special function" is usually restricted to other analytic functions used for special purposes. The list here shows the sort of thing I mean. --Zundark, 2002 Jan 12

How about if we change it into "list of functions" and then have sections for elementary and special functions? --AxelBoldt

OK, I'll try doing that. --Zundark, 2002 Jan 12

[edit] Vote for new external link

This is my website of special functions example problems. It's all hypergeometric and gamma at the moment. Please someone add this link to the external links section of the main article if you think it's relevant and helpful.

http://www.exampleproblems.com/wiki/index.php/Special_Functions

[edit] Article is wrong

I agree with the first poster. The topics in this article should be the hypergeometric function (which reduces to the trigs), gamma, beta, theta, whittaker functions and their uses. -Tbsmith

It makes no sense to me to say trig functions are not special functions. They just happen to be the most familiar. Like saying cats and dogs are not mammals. Charles Matthews 10:02, 29 December 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Plural

This article should be moved to "special function". Fredrik Johansson - talk - contribs 17:12, 18 February 2006 (UTC)

Why? "Special functions" is grammatically correct. 79.74.220.35 (talk) 14:13, 18 April 2008 (UTC)