In q-analog theory, the Jackson integral or q-integral is a series in the theory of special functions that expresses the operation inverse to q-differentiation.

The Jackson integral was introduced by Frank Hilton Jackson. For methods of numerical evaluation, see and .

Definition

Let f(x) be a function of a real variable x. For a a real variable, the Jackson integral of f is defined by the following series expansion:

More generally, if g(x) is another function and Dqg denotes its q-derivative, we can formally write

1. or

giving a q-analogue of the Riemann–Stieltjes integral.

Jackson integral as q-antiderivative

Just as the ordinary antiderivative of a continuous function can be represented by its Riemann integral, it is possible to show that the Jackson integral gives a unique q-antiderivative within a certain class of functions (see ).

Theorem

which is a q in this class of functions.

Notes

References

• Victor Kac, Pokman Cheung, Quantum Calculus, Universitext, Springer-Verlag, 2002.

• Jackson F H (1904), "A generalization of the functions Γ(n) and xn", Proc. R. Soc. 74 64–72.

• Jackson F H (1910), "On q-definite integrals", Q. J. Pure Appl. Math. 41 193–203.