# Hypergeometric function 2F1 convexity proof:

Suppose $F$ is the Gaussian hypergeometric function 2F1, $x\in \mathbb{N}$, $t>x \in \mathbb{N}$, $\mu \in (0,1)$. Is the function: $$f(\mu)=\mu^{x+1} F(x,-t+x,2+x,\mu),$$ convex in $\mu$? I've done some numerical examples that seem to verify this with the following manipulate Mathematica code (apologies for the mess):

Manipulate[
Plot[
{
Subscript[\[Mu], 1]^(x + 1) b*
Hypergeometric2F1[x, -t + x, 2 + x, Subscript[\[Mu], 1]]
+ (1 - b) Subscript[\[Mu], 2]^(x + 1)*
Hypergeometric2F1[x, -t + x, 2 + x, Subscript[\[Mu], 2]],

(b*Subscript[\[Mu], 1] + (1 - b) Subscript[\[Mu], 2])^(x + 1)
Hypergeometric2F1[
x, -t + x, 2 + x, (b*Subscript[\[Mu], 1] + (1 - b) Subscript[\[Mu], 2])
]
},
{b, 0, 1}
],
{t, 1, 80, 1},
{x, 1, 80, 1},
{Subscript[\[Mu], 1], 0, 1},
{Subscript[\[Mu], 2], 0, 1}
]

EDIT: Forgot to add $x+1$ instead of $x$.

• I am not sure that in the reference below there is an exact answer to the question. Dec 17, 2014 at 6:59
• I have read though it as well, and haven't been able to see how it answers my question either. Am currently reading "Representations and inequalities for generalized hypergeometric functions" by Dmitrii Karp. I think there may be some monotonic results that might help. Dec 17, 2014 at 22:56
• Glad to hear it. D.Karp is my former student and co-author. You may find many useful facts from his papers. May be start with log-convexity? Dec 18, 2014 at 13:59