Conjecture concerning a completely monotonic function

Abstract

Based on a sequence of numerical computations, a conjecture is presented regarding the class of functions $H(x;a)=\exp (a)-(1+a/x{)}^x$, and the open problem of determining the values of $a$ for which the functions are completely monotonic with respect to $x$. The critical value of $a$ is determined here to sufficient accuracy to show that it is not a simple symbolic quantity.

accepted for publication in Computers and Mathematics with Applications