The special functions are intensively used in mathematical physics to solve differential systems. We argue that they should be most useful in economic dynamics, notably in the assessment of the transition dynamics of endogenous economic growth models. We illustrate our argument on the famous Lucas-Uzawa model, which we solve by the means of Gaussian hypergeometric functions. We show how the use of Gaussian hypergeometric functions allows for an explicit representation of the equilibrium dynamics of all variables in level. The parameters of the involved hypergeometric functions are identified using the Pontryagin conditions arising from the underlying optimization problems. In contrast to the pre-existing approaches, our method is global and does not rely on dimension reduction.

In this article we propose a method for solving a general class of four-dimension nonlinear modified Hamiltonian dynamic systems in closed form. This method may be used to study several intertemporal optimization problems sharing a common structure, which involves unbounded technological constraints as well as multiple controls and state variables. The method is developed by solving the first-order conditions associated with the planner's problem corresponding to the Lucas [1988. On the mechanics of economic development. Journal of Monetary Economics 22, 3-42] two-sector model of endogenous growth, and allows for explicitly showing the transitional dynamics of the model. Despite the externality, the socially optimal short-run trajectory is unique. r

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