The basic formula to be proved is

where p≧q + 1, z ≠0; | amp z | < π, R(n)>0, r = 1, 2,…,p. For other values of pand qthe result holds if the integral converges. From this formula some results, involving Bessel functions and Confluent Hypergeometric functions, will be deduced.

We continue our studies (2, 3, 4, 5) of the algebraic, geometric, and analytical similarities and contrasts between Boolean algebras and the real field. In this note we contrast the convergence of series in set algebras with that in the real field.

The formula to be proved is

Recently R. S. Varma [11] gave the generalisation

for the Laplace transform

Since

(1) gives (2) when k = − m + ½.

We shall represent (1) by

and as usual, (2) will be denoted by

Several writers (4), (6), (7), (9) have used orthogonal expansions in discussing properties of Fourier transformations, and Kober (3) has used such expansions to derive fractional Fourier and Hankel transformations. In 1950 Barrucand (1) noted a reciprocity holding between the coefficients in the expansions in Laguerre polynomials of pairs of functions which are transforms with respect to the kernel J0(2x½).

The first formula to be proved is

where p ≧ q + 1, | amp z | < л, R(k±n + αr)>0, r = l, 2, …, p. For other values of p and q the result is valid if the integral is convergent. A second formula is given in § 3.

The following formulae are required in the proof:

where R(z);>0, (1);

where R(α)>0, | amp z | < л, (2);

where the contour starts from -∞ on the ξ-axis, passes round the origin in the positive direction, and ends at -∞ on the ξ-axis, the initial value of amp ζ being - л, (3).

Consider the elliptic integral of the first kind

or, alternatively,

where x = sin ϕ. It is customary in the theory of elliptic integrals to let k = sin α, k' = cos α, sot that k'2 + k2 = 1. For convenience we shall also introduce the parameter

Let R be a ring and let Rn be the complete ring of n × n matrices with coefficients from R.

Let Sn denote the “surface” of an n-dimensional unit sphere in Euclidean space of n dimensions. We may suppose that the sphere is centred at the origin of coordinates O, so that the points P(x1, x2, …, xn) of Sn satisfy

We suppose that n≥2.

The problem discussed in this paper is a rather specialised problem associated with a particular random walk with reflecting barriers. Such processes are discussed in particular by Feller (2). It happens that probabilities at any time associated with the system here discussed are relatively easy to determine and it is this fact which makes the given solution possible. This problem arose in certain investigations concerned with computing machines carried out by Mr. A. E. Roy of the Astronomy Department in this University and I wish to thank Mr. Roy for bringing it to my notice.

A point x in real Hilbert space is represented by an infinite sequence (x1, x2, x3, …) of real numbers such that

is convergent. The unit “sphere“ S consists of all points × for which ‖x‖ ≤ 1. The sphere of radius a and centre y is denoted by Sa(y) and consists of all points × for which ‖x−y‖ ≤ a.

In § 2 a product of two modified Bessel Functions of the Second Kind is expressed as an integral with a function of the same type as a factor of the integrand. In § 3 an integral involving a product of these functions, regarded as functions of their orders, is evaluated in terms of another function of this kind. These results were suggested by a study of Mellin's inversion formula.