The holonomic triangle: from a symmetry between $e$ and $\pi$ to additive Gamma functions

Abstract

Two linear recurrences exhibit mirror symmetry connecting the constants $e$ and $\pi$. When parametrized, their asymptotic connection constants extend to meromorphic functions satisfying additive functional equations with rational coefficients. We call such functions additive Gamma functions (AGFs), recognizing Euler's $\Gamma(z)$ as the order-1 prototype. Our theory reveals a structural dichotomy: one AGF is expressible as Gamma ratios (regular case), another involves incomplete Gamma (irregular case). AGFs complete a holonomic triangle between P-recursive sequences, additive functional equations, and differential equations, unifying discrete and continuous perspectives under the condition that Gamma factors in asymptotics have integer slopes.