A proof subject to "natural" assumptions (though not the weakest necessary conditions) to Ramanujan's master theorem was provided by G. H. Hardy[5](chapter XI) employing the residue theorem and the well-known Mellin inversion theorem.
The solution is remarkable in that it is able to interpolate across the major identities for the gamma function. In particular, the choice of gives the square of the gamma function, gives the duplication formula, gives the reflection formula, and fixing to the evaluable or gives the gamma function by itself, up to reflection and scaling.
The bracket integration method (method of brackets) applies Ramanujan's master theorem to a broad range of integrals.[7] The bracket integration method generates the integrand's series expansion, creates a bracket series, identifies the series coefficient and formulaparameters and computes the integral.[8]
This section identifies the integration formulas for integrand's with and without consecutive integer exponents and for single and double integrals. The integration formula for double integrals may be generalized to any multiple integral. In all cases, there is a parameter value or array of parameter values that solves one or more linear equations derived from the exponent terms of the integrand's series expansion.
This is the function series expansion, integral and integration formula for an integral whose integrand's series expansion contains consecutive integer exponents.[9]
The parameter is a solution to this linear equation.
Applying the substitution generates the function series expansion, integral and integration formula for an integral whose integrand's series expansion may not contain consecutive integer exponents.[8]
The parameter is a solution to this linear equation.
This is the function series expansion, integral and integration formula for a double integral whose integrand's series expansion contains consecutive integer exponents.[10]
The parameters and are solutions to these linear equations.
This section describes the integration formula for a double integral whose integrand's series expansion may not contain consecutive integer exponents. Matrices contain the parameters needed to express the exponents in a series expansion of the integrand, and the determinant of invertible matrix is .[11]
Applying the substitution generates the function series expansion, integral and integration formula for a double integral whose integrand's series expansion may not contain consecutive integer exponents.[10] The integral and integration formula are[12][13] The parameter matrix is a solution to this linear equation.[14].
In some cases, there may be more sums then variables. For example, if the integrand is a product of 3 functions of a common single variable, and each function is converted to a series expansion sum, the integrand is now a product of 3 sums, each sum corresponding to a distinct series expansion.
The number of brackets is the number of linear equations associated with an integral. This term reflects the common practice of bracketing each linear equation.[15]
The complexity index is the number of integrand sums minus the number of brackets (linear equations). Each series expansion of the integrand contributes one sum.[15]
The summation indices (variables) are the indices that index terms in a series expansion. In the example, there are 3 summation indices and because the integrand is a product of 3 series expansions.[16]
The free summation indices (variables) are the summation indices that remain after completing all integrations. Integration reduces the number of sums in the integrand by replacing the series expansions (sums) with an integration formula. Therefore, there are fewer summation indices after integration. The number of chosen free summation indices equals the complexity index.[16]
The free summation indices are elements of set . The matrix of free summation indices is and the coefficients of the free summation indices is matrix .
The remaining indices are set containing indices .
Matrices and contain matrix elements that multiply or sum with the non-summation indices. The selected free summation indices must leave matrix non-singular.
. This is the function's series expansion, integral and integration formula.[17]
The parameters are linear functions of the parameters .[18].
Bracket series notations are notations that substitute for common power series notations (Table 1).[19] Replacing power series notations with bracket series notations transforms the power series to a bracket series. A bracket series facilitates identifying the formula parameters needed for integration. It is also recommended to replace a sum raised to a power:[19]
with this bracket series expression:
This algorithm describes how to apply the integral formulas.[8][9][20]
Table 2. Integral formulas
Complexity index
Integral formula
Zero, single integral
Zero, multiple integral
Positive
Input Integral expression
Output Integral value or integral cannot be assigned a value
Express the integrand as a power series.
Transform the integrand's power series to a bracket series.
Obtain the complexity index, formula parameters and series coefficient function.
Complexity index is the number of integrand sums minus number of brackets.
Parameters or array are solutions to linear equations (zero complexity index, single integral), (zero complexity index, single integral) or (positive complexity index).
Identify parameter or (zero complexity index, single integral) or compute (all other cases) from the associated linear equations.
Identify the series coefficient function of the bracket series.
If the complexity index is negative, return integral cannot be assigned a value.
If the complexity index is zero, select the formula from table 2 for zero complexity index, single or multiple integral, compute the integral value with this formula, and return this integral value.
If the complexity index is positive, select the formula from table 2 for positive complexity index, and compute the integral value as a series expansion with this formula for all possible choices of the free summation indices. Select the lowest complexity index, convergent series expansion, adding series that converge in the same region.
If all series expansions are divergent series or null series (all series terms zero), then return integral cannot be assigned a value.
If the series expansion is non-null and non-divergent, return this series expansion as the integral value.
The bracket method will integrate this integral.
1. Express the integrand as a power series. Use the sum raised to a power formula.
2. Transform the power series to a bracket series.
3. Obtain the complexity index, formula parameters and series coefficient function.
Complexity index is 1 as 3 sums and 2 brackets.
Select as the free index, . The linear equations, solutions, determinant and series coefficient are
Berndt, B. (1985). Ramanujan's Notebooks, Part I. New York: Springer-Verlag.
Espinosa, Olivier; Moll, Victor H. (2002). "On some integrals involving the Hurwitz zeta function. II". Ramanujan Journal. 6 (4): 449–468. doi:10.1023/A:1021171500736. MR2125010.
Glaisher, J.W.L. (1874). "A new formula in definite integrals". The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science. 48 (315): 53–55. doi:10.1080/14786447408641072.
González, Iván; Moll, V.H.; Schmidt, Iván (2011). "A generalized Ramanujan Master Theorem applied to the evaluation of Feynman diagrams". arXiv:1103.0588 [math-ph].
Gonzalez, Ivan; Moll, Victor H. (2010). "Definite integrals by the method of brackets. Part 1". Advances in Applied Mathematics. 45 (1): 50–73. doi:10.1016/j.aam.2009.11.003.