Solution by step functions of a minimum problem in L2[0,T], using generalized h- and g-indices.

• Generalized h- and g-indices are studied. • It is shown that the h-index is a special case of the g-index. • These indices are applied to solve a minimum problem in L². • Using step functions, this minimum problem is solved for decreasing functions. • Results are applied to the case of Lotkaian informetrics (Zipf, Lotka). In this article we solve a minimum problem involving step functions. The solution of this problem leads to an investigation into generalized h- and g-indices. This minimum problem and the related generalized h- and g-indices are studied in a general context of decreasing differentiable functions as well as in the specific case of Lotkaian informetrics. The study illustrates the use of h-and g-indices and their generalizations in a context which bears no relation to the research evaluation context in which these indices were originally introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]