On conformable fractional calulus

a,b
T. Abdeljawad
a Department of Mathematics and General Sciences, Prince Sultan University-Riyadh-KSA
b Department of Mathematics, Çankaya University, 06530, Ankara, Turkey
arXiv:1402.6892v1 [math.DS] 27 Feb 2014

Abstract. Recently, the authors Khalil, R., Al Horani, M., Yousef. A. and Sababheh, M., in ” A new
Denition Of Fractional Derivative, J. Comput. Appl. Math. 264. pp. 6570, 2014. ” introduced a new
simple well-behaved definition of the fractional derivative called conformable fractional derivative.
In this article we proceed on to develop the definitions there and set the basic concepts in this new
simple interesting fractional calculus. The fractional versions of chain rule, exponential functions,
Gronwall’s inequality, integration by parts, Taylor power series expansions, Laplace transforms and
linear differential systems are proposed and discussed.
Keywords: Left and right conformable fractional derivatives, left and right conformable frac-
tional integrals, fractional Taylor power series expansion, fractional Laplace, fractional exponential
function, fractional Gronwall’s inequality, chain rule .

1 Introduction
The fractional calculus [1, 2, 3] attracted many researches in the last and present centuries. The
impact of this fractional calculus in both pure and applied branches of science and engineering started
to increase substantially during the last two decades apparently. Many researches started to deal with
the discrete versions of this fractional calculus benefitting from the theory of time scales ( see [4, 5, 6,
7, 8] and the references therein. The main idea behind setting this fractional calculus is summarized
into two approaches. The first approach is the Riemann-Liouville which based on iterating the
integral operator n times and then replaced it by one integral via the famous Cauchy formula where
then n! is changed to the Gamma function and hence the fractional integral of noninteger order
is defined. Then integrals were used to define Riemann and Caputo fractional derivatives. The
second approach is the Grünwald-Letnikov approach which based on iterating the derivative n times
and then fractionalizing by using the Gamma function in the binomial coefficients. The obtained
fractional derivatives in this calculus seemed complicated and lost some of the basic properties that
usual derivatives have such as the product rule and chain rule. However, the semigroup properties
of these fractional operators behave well in some cases. Recently, the author in [9] define a new
well-behaved simple fractional derivative called ”the conformable fractional derivative” depending
just on the basic limit definition of the derivative. Namely. for a function f : (0, ∞) → R the
(conformable) fractional derivative of order 0 < α ≤ 1 of f at t > 0 was defined by

f (t + ǫt1−α ) − f (t)
Tα f (t) = lim , (1)
ǫ→0 ǫ
and the fractional derivative at 0 is defined as (Tα f )(0) = limt→0+ (Tα f )(t).
They then define the fractional derivative of higher order (i.e. of order α > 1) as we will see
below in next sections. They also define the fractional integral of order 0 < α ≤ 1 only. They then
proved the product rule, the fractional mean value theorem solved some (conformable) fractional
tα
differential equations where the fractional exponential function e α played an important rule. While
in case of well-known fractional calculus Mittag-Leffler functions generalized exponential functions.
In this article we continue to settle the basic definitions and concepts of this new theory motivated
by the fact that there are certain functions which do not have Taylor power series representation
or their Laplace transform can not be calculated and so forth but will be possible to do so by the
help of the theory of this conformable fractional calculus. The article is organized as follows: In
Section 2 the left and right (conformable) fractional derivatives and fractional integrals of higher
orders are defined, the fractional chain rule and Gronwall inequality are obtained and the action
of fractional derivatives and integrals to each other are discussed. The conformable and sequential
conformable fractional derivatives of higher orders are discussed at the end points as well . In Section
3, two kinds of fractional integration by parts formulas when 0 < α ≤ are obtained where the usual

1
integration by parts formulas in usual cases are reobtained when α → 1. In Section 4, the fractional
power series expansions for certain functions that do not have Taylor power series representation in
in usual calculus are obtained and the fractional Taylor inequality is proved. Finally, in Section 5 the
fractional Laplace transform is defined and used to solve a conformable fractional linear differential
equation, where also the fractional Laplace of certain basic functions are calculated.

2 Basic definitions and tools

Definition 2.1. The (left) fractional derivative starting from a of a function f : [a, ∞) of order
0 < α ≤ 1 is defined by

f (t + ǫ(t − a)1−α ) − f (t)

(Tαa f )(t) = lim . (2)
ǫ→0 ǫ
When a = 0 we write Tα . If (Tα f )(t) exists on (a, b) then (Tαa f )(a) = limt→a+ (Tαa f )(t) .

The (right) fractional derivative of order 0 < α ≤ 1 terminating at b of f is defined by

b f (t + ǫ(b − t)1−α ) − f (t)

( α T f )(t) = − lim . (3)
ǫ→0 ǫ
b b b
If ( Tα f )(t) exists on (a, b) then ( Tα f )(b) = limt→b− ( Tα f )(t) .

Note that if f is differentiable then (Tαa f )(t) = (t− a)1−α f ′ (t) and ( bα T f )(t) = −(b − t)1−α f ′ (t).
It is clear that the conformable fractional derivative of the constant function is zero. Conversely,
if Tα f (t) = 0 on an interval (a, b) then by the help of conformable fractional mean value theorem
proved in [9] we can easily show that f (x) = 0 for all x ∈ (a, b). Also, by the help of the fractional
mean value theorem there we can show that if the conformable fractional derivative of a function f
on an interval (a, b) is positive (negative) then it the graph of f is increasing (decreasing) there.
a f )(t) =
Rt Rt α−1 f (x)dx. When a = 0 we write dα(x).
Notation (Iα a f (x)dα(x, a) = a (x −Ra) R
Similarly, in the right case we have ( Iα f )(t) = t f (x)dα(b, x) = at (b − x)α−1 f (x)dx. The
b b

operators Iα a and b I are called conformable left and right fractional integrals of order 0 < α ≤ 1.
α
In the higher order case we can generalize to the following:

Definition 2.2. Let α ∈ (n, n + 1], and set β = α − n. Then, the (left) fractional derivative starting
from a of a function f : [a, ∞) of order α, where f (n) (t) exists, is defined by

(Ta a (n)
α f )(t) = (Tβ f )(t). (4)
When a = 0 we write Tα .
The (right) fractional derivative of order α terminating at b of f is defined by
b
( α Tf )(t) = (−1)n+1 ( b
βT f
(n)
)(t) (5)

Note that if α = n + 1 then β = 1 and the fractional derivative of f becomes f (n+1) (t). Also
when n = 0 (or α ∈ (0, 1)) then β = α and the definition coincides with those in Definition 2.1.

Lemma 2.1. [9] Assume that f : [a, ∞) → R is continuous and 0 < α ≤ 1. Then, for all t > a we
have
Tαa Iα
a
f (t) = f (t).

In the right case we can similarly prove:

Lemma 2.2. Assume that f : (−∞, b] → R is continuous and 0 < α ≤ 1. Then, for all t < b we
have
b
Tα b Iα f (t) = f (t).

Next we give the definition of left and right fractional integrals of any order α > 0.

Definition 2.3. Let α ∈ (n, n + 1] then the left fractional integral starting at a if order α is defined
by Z t
a 1
(Iα f )(t) = Ia
n+1 ((t − a)
β−1
f) = (t − x)n (x − a)β−1 f (x)dx (6)
n! a

2
 Notice that if α = n + 1 then β = α − n = n + 1 − n = 1 and hence (Iα a f )(t) = (Ia
n+1 f )(t) =
1
Rt n
n! a (t − x) f (x)dx, which is by means of Cauchy formula the iterative integral of f , n + 1 times
over (a, t].
Recalling that the left Rieamann-Liouville fractional integral of or order α > 0 starting from a
is defined by
Z t
1
(Iaα f )(t) = (t − s)α−1 f (s)ds, (7)
Γ(α) a
we see that (Iα a f )(t) = (Ia f )(t) for α = n + 1, n = 0, 1, 2, ....
α

Example 2.4. Recalling that [1] Ia µ−1 )(x) = Γ(µ) (x − a)α+µ−1 ,

α (t − a) Γ(µ+α)
α, µ > 0,
we can calculate the (conformable) fractional integral of (t − a)µ of order α ∈ (n, n + 1]. Indeed,
if µ ∈ R such that α + µ − n > 0 then

a Γ(α + µ − n)
(Iα (t − a)µ )(x) = (Ia
n+1 (t − a)
µ+α−n−1
)(x) = (x − a)α+µ . (8)
Γ(α + µ + 1)
Analogously, we can find the (conformable) right fractional integral of such functions. Namely,
Γ(α + µ − n)
( b Iα (b − t)µ )(x) = ( b In+1 (t − a)µ+α−n−1 )(x) = (b − x)α+µ , (9)
Γ(α + µ + 1)
where µ ∈ R such that α + µ − n > 0.

From the above discussion, we notice that the Riamann fractional integrals and conformable
fractional integrals of polynomial functions are different up to a constant multiple and coincide for
natural orders.
The following semigroup property relates the composition operator Iµ Iα and the operator Iα+µ .

Proposition 2.3. Let f : [a, ∞) → R be a function and 0 < α, µ ≤ 1 be such that 1 < α + µ ≤ 2.
Then Z t
tµ 1 t
(Iα Iµ f )(t) = (Iα f )(t) + (Iα+µ f )(t) − sα+µ−2 f (s)ds. (10)
µ µ µ 0

Proof. Interchanging the order of integrals and noting that

Z t
(Iα+µ f )(t) = (I2 sα+µ−2 f (s))(t) = (t − s)sα+µ−2 ds, (11)
0

we see that
Z t Z t1
(Iα Iµ f )(t) = ( f (s)sα−1 ds)tµ−1
1 dt1
0 0
Z t Z t
= f (s)sα−1 ( tµ−1
1 dt1 )ds
0 s
Z t tµ sµ
= f (s)sα−1 [ − ]ds
0 µ µ
Z
tµ 1 t
= (Iα f )(t) + [(Iα+µ f )(t) − t sα+µ−2 f (s)ds]
µ µ 0
(12)

Notice that if in (10) we let α, µ → 1 we verify that (I1 I1 f )(t) = (I2 f )(t).

Recalling the action of the Q−operator on fractional integrals (Qf (t) = f (a + b − t), f : [a, b] →
R) on Riemann left and right fractional integrals:
QIa
α f (t) =
b
Iα Qf (t), (13)
we see that for α ∈ (n, n + 1]

a
QIα f (t) = QIa
n+1 ((t − a)
α−n−1
f (t)) = b
In+1 ((b − t)α−n−1 f (a + b − t)) = b
Iα Qf (t), (14)
Now we give the generalized version of Lemma 2.1.

3
Lemma 2.4. Assume that f : [a, ∞) → R such that f (n) (t) is continuous and α ∈ (n, n + 1]. Then,
for all t > a we have
Ta a
α Iα f (t) = f (t).

Proof. From the definition we have

dn a dn a
Ta a a
α Iα f (t) = Tβ ( n
Iα f (t)) = Tβa ( n In+1 ((t − a)β−1 f (t))) = Tβa (I1a ((t − a)β−1 f (t))) (15)
dt dt
That it is Ta a a a
α Iα f (t) = Tβ Iβ f (t) and hence the result follows by Lemma 2.1.

Similarly we can generalize Lemma 2.2. Indeed,

Lemma 2.5. Assume that f : (−∞, b] → R such that f (n) (t) is continuous and α ∈ (n, n + 1].
Then, for all t < b we have
b
Tα b Iα f (t) = f (t).

Lemma 2.6. Let f, h : [a, ∞) → R be functions such that Tαa exists for t > a, f is differentiable on
(a, ∞) and Tαa f (t) = (t − a)1−α h(t). Then h(t) = f ′ (t) for all t > a.

The proof follows by definition and setting h = ǫ(t − a)1−α so that h → 0 as ǫ → 0. As result
of Lemma 2.6 we can state
a T a )f (t) exists for b > t > a. Then, f (t) is
Corollary 2.7. f : [a, b) → R be such that (Iα α
differentiable on (a, b).

Lemma 2.8. Let f : (a, b) → R be differentiable and 0 < α ≤ 1. Then, for all t > a we have
a a
Iα Tα (f )(t) = f (t) − f (a). (16)

Proof. Since f is differentiable then by the help of Theorem 2.1 (6) in [9] we have

Z t Z t
a a
Iα Tα (f )(t) = (x − a)α−1 Tα (f )(x)dx = (x − a)α−1 (x − a)1−α f ′ (x)dx = f (t) − f (a). (17)
a a

The above Lemma 2.8 above can be generalized for the higher order as follows.

Proposition 2.9. Let α ∈ (n, n + 1] and f : [a, ∞) → R be (n + 1) times differentiable for t > a.
Then, for all t > a we have
n
a a
X f (k) (a)(t − a)k
Iα Tα (f )(t) = f (t) − . (18)
k=0
k!

Proof. From definition and Theorem 2.1 (6) in [9] we have

a a a
Iα Tα (f )(t) = In+1 ((t − a)β−1 Tβa f (n) (t)) = In+1
a
((t − a)β−1 (t − a)1−β f (n+1) (t)) = In+1
a
f (n+1) (t).
(19)
Then integration by parts gives (20).

Analogously, in the right case we have

Proposition 2.10. Let α ∈ (n, n + 1] and f : (−∞, b] → R be (n + 1) times differentiable for t < b.
Then, for all t < b we have
n
b
X (−1)k f (k) (b)(b − t)k
Iα b Tα (f )(t) = f (t) − . (20)
k=0
k!

In particular, if n = 0 or 0 < α ≤ 1, then bI b T (f )(t) = f (t) − f (b).

α α

4
Theorem 2.11. (Chain Rule) Assume f, g : (a, ∞) → R be (left) α−differentiable functions, where
0 < α ≤ 1. Let h(t) = f (g(t)). Then h(t) is (left)α−differentiable and for all t with t 6= a and g(t) 6=
0 we have

(Tαa h)(t) = (Tαa f )(g(t)).(Tαa g)(t).g(t)α−1 . (21)

If t = a we have
(Tαa h)(a) = lim (Tαa f )(g(t)).(Tαa g)(t).g(t)α−1 . (22)
t→a+

Proof. By setting u = t + ǫ(t − a)1−α in the definition and using continuity of g we see that

f (g(u)) − f (g(t)) 1−α

Tαa h(t) = = lim t (23)
u→t (u − t)
f (g(u)) − f (g(t)) g(u) − g(t) 1−α
= lim . lim t
u→t (g(u) − g(t)) u→t u−t
f (g(u)) − f (g(t))
= lim .g(t)1−α .Tαa g(t).g(t)α−1
g(u)→g(t) (g(u) − g(t))
= (Tαa f )(g(t)).(Tαa g)(t).g(t)α−1 .

Proposition 2.12. Let f : [a, ∞) → ∞ be twice differentiable on (a, ∞) and 0 < α, β ≤ 1 such
that 1 < α + β ≤ 2. Then
a
(Tαa Tβa f )(t) = Tα+β f (t) + (1 − β)(t − a)−β Tαa f (t). (24)

Proof. By the fractional product rule and that f is twice differentiable differentiable we have
d 1−β
(Tαa Tβa f )(t) = t1−α [t (t − a)−β f ′ (t)] (25)
dt
= t1−α [t1−β f ′′ (t) + (1 − β)(t − a)−β f ′ (t)]
a
= Tα+β f (t) + (1 − β)(t − a)−β Tαa f (t).

Note that in (24) if we let α, β → 1 then we have Tαa Tβ f (t) = T2 f (t) = f ′′ (t).
Next we prove a fractional version of Gronwall inequality which will be useful is studying
stability of (conformable) fractional systems.

Theorem 2.13. Let r be a continuous, nonnegative function on an interval J = [a, b] and δ and k
be nonnegative constants such that
Z t
r(t) ≤ δ + kr(s)(s − a)α−1 ds (t ∈ J).
a

Then for all t ∈ J

(t−a)α
r(t) ≤ δek α .
Rt
Proof. Define R(t) = δ + a kr(s)(s − a)α−1 ds = δ + Iα a (kr(s))(t). Then R(a) = δ and R(t) ≥ r(t),

and
Tαa R(t) − kR(t) = kr(t) − kR(t) ≤ kr(t) − kr(t) = 0. (26)
(t−a)α
Multiply (26) by K(t) = e−k α . By the help of chain rule in Theorem 2.11 we see that Tαa K(t) =
−kK(t) and hence by the product rule we conclude that Tαa (K(t)R(t)) ≤ 0. Since K(t)R(t) is
differentiable on (a, b) then Lemma 2.8 implies that
a a
Iα Tα (K(t)R(t)) = K(t)R(t) − K(a)R(a) = K(t)R(t) − δ ≤ 0. (27)
Hence

δ (t−a)α
r(t) ≤ R(t) ≤ = δek α . (28)
K(t)
Which completes the proof.

5
 Finally, in this section we discuss the conformable fractional derivative at a in the left case and at
b at the right case for some smooth functions. Let n − 1 < α < n and assume f : [a, ∞) → R be such
that f (n) (t) exists and continuous. Then, (Ta a
α f )(t) = (Tα+1−n f
(n−1) )(t) = (t − a)n−α f (n) (t) and
a n−α
thus (Tα f )(a) = limt→a+ (t − a) f (t) = 0. Similarly, in the right case we have ( b Tα f )(b) =
(n)

limt→b− (b − t)n−α f (n) (t) = 0, for (−∞, b] → R with f (n) (t) exists and continuous. Now, let
0 < α < 1 and n ∈ {1, 2, 3, ...} then the left (right) sequential conformable fractional derivative of
order n is defined by
(n) a
Tα f (t) = Tαa Tαa ...Tαa f (t) (29)
| {z }
n−times
and
b (n) b
Tα f (t) = Tα b Tα ... b Tα f (t), (30)
| {z }
n−times

respectively. If f : [a, ∞) → R is second continuously differentiable and 0 < α ≤ 12 then direct

calculations shows that

(2) a (1 − α)(t − a)1−2α f ′ (t) + (t − a)2−2α f ′′ (t) if t > a,
Tα (t) = Tαa Tαa f (t) =
0 if t = a.
1
Similarly, in the right case, for f : (−∞, b] → R is second continuously differentiable and 0 < α ≤ 2
then direct calculations show that

b (2) (1 − α)(b − t)1−2α f ′ (t) + (b − t)2−2α f ′′ (t) if t < b,
Tα (t) = b Tα b Tα f (t) =
0 if t = b.
This shows that the second order sequential conformable fractional derivative may not be continuous
even f is second continuously differentiable for 21 < α < 1. If we proceed inductively, then we can
1
see that if f is n−continuously continuously differentiable and 0 < α ≤ n then the n−th order
sequential conformable fractional derivative is continuous and vanishes at the end points (a in the
left case and b in the right case).

3 Integration by parts
Theorem 3.1. Let f, g : [a, b] → R be two functions such that f g is differentiable. Then
Z b Z b
f (x)Tαa (g)(x)dα(x, a) = f g|ba − g(x)Tαa (f )(x)dα(x, a) (31)
a a

The proof followed by Lemma 2.8 applied to f g and Theorem 2.1 (3) in [9].
The following integration by parts formula is by means of left and right fractional integrals.

Proposition 3.2. Let f, g : [a, b] → R be functions and 0 < α ≤ 1. Then

Z b Z b
a
(Iα f )(t)g(t)dα (b, t) = f (t)( b Iα g)(t)dα (t, a). (32)
a a

Proof. From definition we get

Z b Z b Z t
a
(Iα f )(t)g(t)dα (t, a) = ( (x − a)α−1 f (x)dx)g(t)(b − t)α−1 dt. (33)
a a a

Interchanging the order of integrals we reach at

Z b Z b
a
(Iα f )(t)g(t)dα (b, t) = f (x)( b Iα g)(x)dα (x, a).
a a
Which completes the proof.

Next we employ Proposition 3.2 to prove an integration by parts formula by means of left and
right fractional derivatives.

Theorem 3.3. Let f, g : [a, b] → R be differentiable functions and 0 < α ≤ 1. Then

Z b Z b
(Tαa f )(t)g(t)dα (t, a) = f (t)( b Tα g)(t)dα (b, t) + f (t)g(t)|ba . (34)
a a

6
Proof. By Proposition 2.10 and that g is differentiable, we have

Z b Z b Z b
(Tαa f )(t)g(t)dα (t, a) = (Tαa f )(t) b Iα b Tα g(t)dα (t, a) + g(b) (Tαa f )(t)dα (t, a). (35)
a a a

Applying Proposition 3.2 leads to

Z b Z b
(Tαa f )(t)g(t)dα (t, a) = a a
(Iα Tα f )(t) b Tα g(t)dα (b, t) + g(b)(Iα
a a
Tα f )(a). (36)
a a
Then the proof is completed by the help of Lemma 2.8 by substituting (Iα a T a f )(t) = f (t) − f (a)
α
using that f is differentiable and by the help of Proposition 2.10 and that g is differentiable by
b b
substituting ( Iα Tα g)(t) = g(t) − g(b).

Remark 3.1. Notice that if in Theorem 3.1 or Theorem 3.3 we let α → 1 then we obtain the
integration by parts formula in usual calculus, where we have to note that dα (t, a) → dt , dα (b, t) →
dt, Tαa f (t) → f ′ (t) and b Tα f (t) → −f ′ (t) as α → 1.

In Theorem 3.1 and Theorem 3.3 we needed some differentiability conditions. We next define
some function spaces on which the obtained integration by parts formulas are still valid.

Definition 3.1. For 0 < α ≤ 1 and an interval [a, b] define

a
Iα ([a, b]) = {f : [a, b] → R : f (x) = (Iα ψ)(x) + f (a), for some ψ ∈ Lα (a)},
and
α
I([a, b]) = {g : [a, b] → R : g(x) = ( b Iα ϕ)(x) + g(b), for some ψ ∈ Lα (b)},
where
a
Lα (a) = {ψ : [a, b] → R} : (Iα ψ)(x) exists for all x ∈ [a, b]},
and

Lα (b) = {ϕ : [a, b] → R} : ( b Iα ϕ)(x) exists for all x ∈ [a, b]}.

Lemma 3.4. Let f, g : [a, b] → R be functions and 0 < α ≤ 1. Then

a) If f is left (g is right) α− differentiable then f ∈ Iα ([a, b]) (g ∈ α I([a, b])).

a ψ)(x) + f (a) where ψ is continuous then ψ(x) = T a f (x) and

b) If f ∈ Iα ([a, b]) with f (x) = (Iα α
a T a f )(x) = f (x) − f (a).
(Iα α

c)If g ∈ α I([a, b]) with g(x) = ( b Iα ϕ)(x) + g(b) where ϕ is continuous then ϕ(x) = b T g(x)
α
and ( b Iα b Tα g)(x) = g(x) − g(b).

Proof. The proof of a) follows by Lemma 2.8 and Proposition 2.10 by choosing ψ(t) = Tαa f and
choosing ϕ(t) = b Tα g. The proof of b) follows by Lemma 2.1 and the fact that the left α−derivative
of constant function is zero. The proof of c) follows by Lemma 2.2 and the fact that the right
α−derivative of constant function is zero.

Theorem 3.5. Let f, g : [a, b] → R be functions such that f ∈ Iα ([a, b]) with ψ(t) is continuous and
g ∈ α I([a, b]) with ϕ(t) is continuous and 0 < α ≤ 1. Then
Z b Z b
(Tαa f )(t)g(t)dα (t, a) = f (t)( b Tα g)(t)dα (b, t) + f (t)g(t)|ba . (37)
a a

Proof. The proof is similar to that in Theorem 3.3 where we make use of b) and c) in Lemma 3.4.

7
4 Fractional power series expansions
Certain functions, being not infinitely differentiable at some point, do not have Taylor power series
expansion there. In this section we set the fractional power series expansions so that those functions
will have fractional power series expansions.

Theorem 4.1. Assume f is an infinitely α−differentiable function, for some 0 < α ≤ 1 at a

neighborhood of a point t0 . Then f has the fractional power series expansion:

(Tαt0 f )(k) (t0 )(t − t0 )kα

X∞
f (t) = , t0 < t < t0 + R1/α , R > 0. (38)
k=0
αk k!

Here (Tαt0 f )(k) (t0 ) means the application of the fractional derivative k times.

Proof. Assume f (t) = c0 +c1 (t−t0 )α +c2 (t−t0 )2α +c3 (t−t0 )3α +..., t0 < t < t0 +R1/α , R > 0.

Then, f (t0 ) = c0 . Apply Tαt0 to f and evaluate at t0 we see that (Tαt0 f )(t0 ) = c1 α and hence
t
(T 0 f )(t )
c1 = α α 0 . Proceeding inductively and applying Tαt0 to f n−times and evaluating at t0 we see
that (Tαt0 f )(n) (t0 ) = cn .α(2α)...(nα) = αn .n! and hence

(Tαt0 f )(n) (t0 )

cn = . (39)
αn .n!
Hence (38) is obtained and the proof is completed.

Proposition 4.2. (fractional Taylor inequality) Assume f is an infinitely α−differentiable func-

tion, for some 0 < α ≤ 1 at a neighborhood of a point t0 has the Taylor power series representation
(38) such that |(Tαa f )n+1 | ≤ M, M > 0 for some n ∈ N. Then, for all (t0 , t0 + R)
M
|Rα
n (t)| ≤ (t − t0 )α(n+1) , (40)
αn+1 (n + 1)!
t t
P∞ (Tα0 f )(k) (t0 )(t−t0 )kα P (Tα0 f )(k) (t0 )(t−t0 )kα
where Rα
n (t) = k=n+1 αk k!
= f (x) − n k=0 αk k!
.

t0
The proof is similar to that in usual calculus by applying Iα instead of integration.
(t−t0 )α
Example 4.1. Consider the fractional exponential function f (t) = e α , where 0 < α < 1.
The function f (t) is clearly not differentiable at t0 and thus it does not have Taylor power series
representation about t0 . However, (Tαt0 f )(n) (t0 ) = 1 for all n and hence
∞
X (t − t0 )kα
f (t) = . (41)
k=0
αk k!
The ration test shows that this series is convergent to f on the interval [t0 , ∞).
(t−t )α (t−t )α
Example 4.2. The functions g(t) = sin α0 and h(t) = sin α0 do not have Taylor power
series expansions about t = t0 for 0 < α < 1 since they are not differentiable there. However, by
α α α α
the help of Theorem 38 and that Tαt0 sin (t−tα0 ) = cos (t−tα0 ) and Tαt0 cos (t−tα0 ) = −sin (t−tα0 )
we can see that
∞
(t − t0 )α X (t − t0 )(2k+1)α
sin = (−1)k (2k+1) , t ∈ [t0 , ∞). (42)
α k=0
α (2k + 1)!
and
∞
(t − t0 )α X (t − t0 )(2k)α
cos = (−1)k (2k) , t ∈ [t0 , ∞). (43)
α k=0
α (2k)!

1
Example 4.3. The function f (x) = α does not have Taylor power series representation about
1− tα
t = 0 for 0 < α < 1, since it is not differentiable there. However, by the help of Theorem 38 we can
see that
∞
1 X
tα
= tαk , t ∈ [0, 1). (44)
1− α k=0

8
or more generally,
∞
1 X
(t−t0 )α
= (t − t0 )αk , t ∈ [t0 , t0 + 1). (45)
1− α k=0

Remark 4.1. In case the function f is defined on (−∞, a) and not differentiable at a then we
search for its (conformal) right fractional order derivatives a Tα at a for some 0 < α ≤ 1 and use
α
it for our fractional Taylor series on some (a − R, a), R > 0. For example the functions (a−t)
α
,
α
sin (a−t)
α
and so on.

5 The fractional Laplace transform

In this section we will define the fractional Laplace transform and use it to solve some linear fractional
equations to produce the fractional exponential function. Then, we use the method of successive
approximation to verify the solution by making use of the fractional power series representation
discussed in the above section. Also we shall calculate the Laplace transform for certain (fractional)
type functions.

Definition 5.1. Let t0 ∈ R , 0 < α ≤ 1 and f : [t0 , ∞) → be real valued function. Then the
fractional Laplace transform of order α starting from a of f is defined by

Z ∞ (t−t0 )α
Z ∞ (t−t0 )α
Ltα0 {f (t)}(s) = Fαt0 (s) = e−s α f (t)dα(t, t0 ) = e−s α f (t)(t − t0 )α−1 dt (46)
t0 t0

Theorem 5.1. Let a ∈ R , 0 < α ≤ 1 and f : (a, ∞) → be differentiable real valued function. Then
La
α {Tα (f )(t)}(s) = sFα (s) − f (a). (47)

Proof. The proof followed by definition, Theorem 2.1 (6) in [9] and the usual integration by parts.

Example 5.2. Consider the conformable fractional initial value problem:

(Tαa y)(t) = λy(t), y(a) = y0 , t > a, (48)
where the solution is assumed to be differentiable on (a, ∞).
Apply the operator Iα a to the above equation to obtain

a
y(t) = y0 + λ(Iα y)(t). (49)
Then
a
yn+1 = y0 + λ(Iα yn )(t), n = 0, 1, 2, ... (50)
For n = 0 we see that

(t − a)α (t − a)α
y1 = y0 + λy0 = y0 (1 + λ ) (51)
α α
For n = 1 we see that

(t − a)α (t − a)2α
y2 = y0 [1 + λ + λ2 ]. (52)
α α(2α)
If we proceed inductively we conclude that
n
X λk (t − a)kα
yn = y0 . (53)
k=0
αk k!

Letting n → ∞ we see that

∞
X λk (t − a)kα
y(t) = y0 . (54)
k=0
αk k!
Which is clearly the fractional Taylor power series representation of the (fractional) exponential
(t−a)α
function y0 eλ α .

The following Lemma relates the fractional Laplace transform to the usual Laplace transform:

9
Lemma 5.2. Let f : [t0 , ∞) → R be a function such that Ltα0 {f (t)}(s) = Fαt0 (s) exists. Then

Fαt0 (s) = L{f (t0 + (αt)1/α )}(s), (55)

R∞
where L{g(t)}(s) = 0
e−st g(t)dt.

(t−t0 )α
The proof follows easily by setting u = α
.

Example 5.3. In this example we calculate the fractional Laplace for certain functions.
• Ltα0 {1}(s) = 1
s
, s>0
1)
Γ(1+ α
• Ltα0 {t}(s) = L{t0 + (αt)1/α }(s) = t0
s
+ α1/α 1+ 1
, s > 0.
s α

αp/α 1
• L0α {tp }(s) = Γ(1 + ), s > 0.
s1+p/α α
tα
1
• L0 {e α
α }(s) = s−1
, s > 1.
α
• L0α {sinω tα }(s) = L{sinωt}(s) = 1
ω 2 +s2
.
α
• L0α {cosω tα }(s) = L{cosωt}(s) = s
ω 2 +s2
.
(t−t0 )α 1 tα α
• Ltα0 {e−k α f (t)}(s) = L{e−kt f (t0 +(αt) α )}. For example L0α {e−k α sin tα }(s) = L{e−kt sint}(s) =
(t−t0 )α
1
(s+k)2 +1
and Ltα0 {eλ α } = L{eλt } = 1
s−λ
.

Notice that in the above example there are some functions, with 0 < α < 1, whose usual Laplace
is not easy to be calculated. However, their fractional Laplace can be easily calculated.

Example 5.4. We use the fractional Laplace transform to verify the solution of the conformable
fractional initial value problem:
(Tαa y)(t) = λy(t), y(a) = y0 , t > a, (56)
where the solution is assumed to be differentiable on (a, ∞).
Apply La α and use (47) to conclude that
y0
La
α {y(t)}(s) = , (57)
s−λ
(t−a)α
and hence, y(t) = y0 e λ α .

Finally, we use the fractional fundamental exponential matrix to express the solution of (con-
formable) fractional linear systems.
Consider the system

Tαa y(t) = Ay(t) + f(t), 0 < α ≤ 1, (58)

where y, f : [a, b) → Rn
are vector functions and A is an n × n matrix. The general solution of
the fractional non-homogenous system (58) is express by
Z t
(t−a)α (t−a)α (s−a)α
y(t) = eA α c + eA α e−A α f(s)(s − a)1−α ds, (59)
a
(t−a)α
A P∞ Ak (t−a)kα
where e α = k=0 αk k!
and c is a constant vector.

6 Some conclusions and comparisons

1. The conformable fractional derivative behaves well in the product rule and chain rule while
complicated formulas appear in case of usual fractional calculus.
2. The conformable fractional derivative of a constant function is zero while it is not the case
for Riemann fractional derivatives.
3. Mittag-Leffler functions play important rule in fractional calculus as a generalization to ex-
tα
ponential functions while the fractional exponential function f (t) = e α appears in case of
conformable fractional calculus.

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 4. Conformable fractional derivatives, conformable chain rule, conformable integration by parts,conformable
Gronwall’s inequality, conformable exponential function, conformable Laplace transform and
so forth, all tend to the corresponding ones in usual calculus.
5. In case of usual calculus there some functions that do not have Taylor power series represen-
tations about certain points but in the theory of conformable fractional they do have.
6. Open problem: Is it hard to fractionalize the conformable fractional calculus, either by
iterating the confromable fractional derivative (Grünwald-Letnikov approach) or by iterating
the conformable fractional integral of order 0 < α ≤ 1 (Riemann approach)? Notice that
when α = 0 we obtain Hadamard type fractional integrals.

References
[1] Samko G. Kilbas A. A., Marichev, Fractional Integrals and Derivatives: Theory and Applica-
tions, Gordon and Breach, Yverdon, 1993.
[2] I. Podlubny, Fractional Differential Equations, Academic Press: San Diego CA, (1999).
[3] Kilbas A., Srivastava M. H.,and Trujillo J. J., Theory and Application of Fractional Differential
Equations, North Holland Mathematics Studies 204, 2006.
[4] H. L. Gray and N. F.Zhang, On a new definition of the fractional difference, Mathematics of
Computaion 50, (182), 513-529 (1988.)
[5] K. S. Miller, Ross B.,Fractional difference calculus, Proceedings of the International Sympo-
sium on Univalent Functions, Fractional Calculus and Their Applications, Nihon University,
Koriyama, Japan, (1989), 139-152.
[6] F.M. Atıcı and Eloe P. W., Initial value problems in discrete fractional calculus, Proceedings of
the American Mathematical Society, 137, (2009), 981-989.
[7] T. Abdeljawad, F. Atıcı, On the Definitions of Nabla Fractional Operators, Abstract and Ap-
plied Analysis, 2012 (2012), Article ID 406757, 13 pages, doi:10.1155/2012/406757.
[8] T. Abdeljawad, Dual identities in fractional difference calculus within Riemann, Advances in
Difference Equations 2013, 2013:36 doi:10.1186/1687-1847-2013-36, arXiv:1112.5795.
[9] Khalil, R., Al Horani, M., Yousef. A. and Sababheh, M., A new Denition Of Fractional Deriva-
tive, J. Comput. Appl. Math. 264. pp. 6570, 2014.

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