Herglotz Variational Problems Involving Distributed-Order Fractional Derivatives with Arbitrary Smooth Kernels

Abstract

In this paper, we consider Herglotz-type variational problems dealing with fractional derivatives of distributed-order with respect to another function. We prove necessary optimality conditions for the Herglotz fractional variational problem with and without time delay, with higher-order derivatives, and with several independent variables. Since the Herglotz-type variational problem is a generalization of the classical variational problem, our main results generalize several results from the fractional calculus of variations. To illustrate the theoretical developments included in this paper, we provide some examples.