On criteria for algebraic independence of collections of functions satisfying algebraic difference relations

Abstract

This paper gives conditions for algebraic independence of a collection of functions satisfying a certain kind of algebraic difference relations. As applications, we show algebraic independence of two collections of special functions: (1) Vignéras’ multiple gamma functions and derivatives of the gamma function, (2) the logarithmic function, $q$-exponential functions and $q$-polylogarithm functions. In a similar way, we give a generalization of Ostrowski’s theorem.