An introduction to hypergeometric functions for economists

Abstract

Hypergeometric functions are a generalization of exponential functions. They are explicit, computable functions that can also be manipulated analytically. The functions and series we use in quantitative economics are all special cases of them. In this paper, a unified approach to hypergeometric functions is given. As a result, some potentially useful general applications emerge in a number of areas such as in econometrics and economic theory. The greatest benefit from using these functions stems from the fact that they provide parsimonious explicit (and interpretable) solutions to a wide range of general problems.