Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2022 / ii / Paper 4 / 7E / Solution

The Papperitz symboldescribes the two-dimensional solution space of a second-order homogeneous Fuchsian differential equation on the Riemann sphere with exactly three regular singular points $z_1,z_2,z_3$. Near $z_i$, its two independent Frobenius behaviours are locallysubject to logarithmic modifications in resonant cases. The six characteristic exponents obey the Fuchs relation

For the Gauss hypergeometric equation, the exponents at infinity are $a$ and $b$. Put $w=z^{-1}$. Transforming the Papperitz symbol from $z$ to $w$ shows thatandare local solutions near $z=\infty$, with respective leading behaviours $z^{-a}$ and $z^{-b}$. When $a-b\notin \mathbb{Z}$, these behaviours are distinct and the two solutions are linearly independent. They therefore form a basis of the solution space on any simply connected common domain with compatible branch choices.

The solution $F(a,b;c;z)$ normalized at zero can be analytically continued into that domain. Since it solves the same second-order equation, it must be a constant linear combination of the basis at infinity:The constants depend on $a,b,c$ and the branch convention, but not on $z$. This is the hypergeometric connection formula at infinity.

Solved by gpt-5.6-sol high.