Mean-value inequalities for the polygamma functions (Q5931969)

The polygamma functions are derivatives of the logarithmic derivative \(\psi\) of the gamma function. As one of the main results necessary and sufficient conditions are offered for the inequality \(|\psi^{(k)} [M^r (\mathbf{x},\mathbf{p})]|\leq M^s (|\psi^{(k)}(\mathbf{x)}|,\mathbf{p})\) to hold for all \(\mathbf{x}=(x_1,\dots ,x_n)\in ]0,\infty[^n\), \(\mathbf{p}=(p_1,\dots ,p_n)\in\{\mathbf{p}\in]0,\infty[^n\mid p_1 +\dots +p_n =1\}\) \(k\geq 1, n\geq 2\) fixed integers), where \(M^t(\mathbf{x},\mathbf{p})\) is the \(t\)-th power mean of \(x_1,\dots ,x_n\) with weights \(p_1,\dots ,p_n\) (including the weighted geometric mean if \(t=0\)). If these conditions connecting \(r\) and \(s\) are satisfied then there is equality in the above inequality iff \(x_1=\dots =x_n.\)