1. Introduction
The idea of adding a positive parameter in the exponent of the cumulative distribution function (cdf) for a continuous distribution was introduced by Lehmann [
1], which results in a class of so-called exponentiated distribution, see also ([
2], Chapter 2). Using exponentiated Gamma-type random variables (rv) (or Stacy’s generalized Gamma distribution [
3]) for generating further distribution classes were used by Zografos and Balakrishnan ([
4], p. 350 et seq.). Subsequently, considering a similar method Ristić and Balakrishnan ([
5], p. 1192, Equation (2)) introduce a new family od distributions via the survival function of the general continuous baseline (or parent) distribution which turns out to be a “dual family of the Zografos–Balakrishnan family of distributions” ([
5], p. 1192) with a set of three main motivations for their new distribution class [
5], ibid. We point out that Ristić and Balakrishnan linked their study to the Gamma-exponentiated exponential distribution, which certain properties are discussed by Ristić and Nadarajah [
6]; it is worth mentioning the companion note by Pogány [
7] where their findings concerning moments are precised in terms of higher transcendental functions including confluent Fox–Wright generalized hypergeometric and generalized Hurwitz–Lerch zeta function.
Introducing two extra parameters Cordeiro et al. ([
8], pp. 1–2) have covered both Lehmann I and Lehmann II type exponentiated distribution classes, calling these exponentiated generalized families, giving full consideration to certain special cases like exponentiated generalized Frèchet, Normal, Gamma and Gumbel distributions ([
8], 2. Special Models). Numerous authors have linked to listed models considering special cases of Gamma generalized, exponentiated distribution classes, among others we refer to Gamma-exponentiated Weibull [
9,
10], exponentiated Weibull, exponentiated Pareto, exponentiated Gamma [
11], Kumaraswamy generalized Gamma and Gumbel [
12,
13] distributions with exhaustive references lists and links to further sub–models and special cases, consult e.g., ([
13], pp. 415–416); also see the recent article [
14] where an extension is obtained for the generalized integro-exponential function by which the moment expression of the above listed distribution classes can be expressed in a closed or more compact form. Finally, we mention the related recent article [
15] as well.
The main purpose of adding parameters to an existing distribution is to obtain classes of more flexible distributions which provide more adaptability in modeling various types of data. According to Zografos and Balakrishnan [
4] the Gamma-exponentiated extended distribution possesses cdf
given as
where the baseline distribution
G has the survival function
. The Gamma–exponentiated extended probability density function (pdf) related to Equation (
1) can be expressed in the following form:
The regularized Gamma function reads
where
denotes the upper incomplete Gamma function. Both, regularized Gamma and incomplete Gamma, are in-built in Mathematica under
GammaRegularized[a,z] and
Gamma[a,z], respectively.
We specify the approach presented in [
4] by choosing the baseline distribution’s survival function to be
, where
denotes a nonnegative Borel function.
The rv
X defined on a standard probability space
, having cdf and pdf
respectively, is called Gamma-exponentiated functional
h distributed, signifying this
. Here and in what follows,
denotes the indicator function of the set
A, i.e.,
when
and equals 0 elsewhere.
As an illustrative example of this approach can be the case considered by Pogány and Saboor [
16] choosing
introduced the Gamma-exponentiated exponential Weibull distribution
,
, which cdf and pdf are
Finally, the incomplete Gamma function possesses a representation in terms of the Kummer’s confluent hypergeometric function ([
17], Chapter 13)
we have the equivalent form of the cdf
the particular cases of
to other functions as elementary, incomplete Gamma, orthogonal polynomials, generalized hypergeometric, Bessel, Coulomb functions are documented e.g., in [
17], §13.6. In this note, bearing in mind this relationship and motivated with the general model of distribution families by Zografos and Balakrishan, and also the model by Ristić and Balakrishnan which can be described by the Gamma exponentiated functional model
we derive two formulae for the raw moments of rv having
distribution in terms of a hypergeometric function the integrand. Moreover, the random variable
has been characterized and described in terms of the Lambert’s
W function.
2. Moments and Quantile Function
Firstly, we note that further on
denotes the generalized hypergeometric function of
p numerator and
q denominator parameters, see e.g., [
18]; for
we refer to [
19].
Theorem 1. Let be analytic monotone increasing function with and let rv . Then for all we havewhere the positively oriented closed integration paths are taken in a way that enclose the origins in the complex , and planes, respectively. Moreover, under the same assumptions, we have Proof. Assume
and denoting
the inverse of
h, we have
The Lagrange–Bürmann inversion theorem ([
20], Equation (1.1) et seq.) reads:
Let
, with
(interpreted either as analytic function or a formal power series), and
. Then
where
extracts the coefficient of
in a series:
.
Applying Equation (
5) to the integrand of the moment
above, being
and
, we conclude
By the Cauchy differentiation formula we have
that is
where
is a positively oriented simple integration path enclosing the origin. Having in mind the differentiation property of the Gauss’ hypergeometric function ([
18], p. 28, (1.6.11))
it follows also by the Cauchy’s differentiation formula:
Choosing the integration paths
according to the assumptions we get
which is in fact Equation (
3) since
The rest is obvious.
As to Equation (
4), we take the Laplace–integral formula ([
18], p. 31, Equation (1.6.33)):
which holds true for all
provided that
. Thus, starting from Equation (
6), we transform the inner sum into a
expression by Equation (
8) and conclude
By Equation (
7), the expression Equation (
9) becomes
which completes the proof. ☐
The consequence of Theorem 1 when , recalling that , is
Corollary 1. Here the integration contours remain the same as in Theorem 1.
The Lambert
W-function is the inverse function of
. Its principal branch
is the solution of
, for which
. This function is in–built in Mathematica as
ProductLog[z]. We are interested in
exclusively for
, where it is single–valued and monotone increasing, see [
17], Section 4.13.
Any nondecreasing function
h possesses an
generalized inverse
with the convention that
. Moreover, if
h is strong monotone increasing then
coincides with the `ordinary’ inverse
.
Theorem 2. Consider rv , where . Then Moreover, for all we havewhenever is a nondecreasing Borel function. Proof. The rv
possesses cdf
in the form Equation (
2). When
, then
. Letting
, the pdf
of the rv
becomes
which is equivalent to the first assertion Equation (
10). In turn
where the convergence of the integral is controlled by the condition
because
h is non–decreasing and positive at the infinity. Now, routine steps lead to the assertion. ☐
The
quantile function of the rv
is defined as
It is the generalized inverse of the cdf for a fixed probability p. The related result is the following
Theorem 3. Let , where is a nonnegative monotone Borel function. Then the quantile function readswhere ∘
denotes the composition of functions. Proof. The quantile function is derived by inverting Equation (
2). Therefore, for
fixed, solving the equation
with respect to the regularized upper incomplete Gamma–function
Q, we get
. Because
, the function
is monotone in
z, therefore
Q has an unique inverse
:
Remarking that h is monotone too, the proof is finished. ☐
3. Concluding Remarks
In this manuscript, the authors discuss the development of a new distribution, Gamma exponentiated functional
distribution, using the Gamma baseline distribution generating method by Zografos and Balakrishnan [
4] and also related to the so called “dual family of the Zografos–Balakrishnan family of distributions” [
5]. The main findings of the article are two equaivalent complex path integral expressions for the raw moments of the Gamma exponentiated functional
distribution derived in Theorem 1 by virtue of the generalized hypergeometric function
in the integrand. By these results a master formula is derived for raw moments which are coming from the
distribution family.
As an illustrative example for
distribution serves the
distributed rv considered recently by Pogány and Saboor [
16]. We also refer to the exhaustive list of special cases listed in Introduction.
Finally, the related probability distribution class is characterized in terms of Lambert W–function in Theorem 2, while the quantile function is derived in Theorem 3 in terms of the regularized upper incomplete Gamma function Q.