 Solution

A Möbius transformation of a Papperitz symbol changes the independent variable by a Möbius transformation. In particular,maps $a,b,c$ to $0,1,\infty$, respectively. Because a Möbius map is locally biholomorphic away from its pole, it carries each exponent pair with its singular point and givesNow define a dependent-variable rescaling of a Papperitz symbol by writing the old dependent variable asso that $v=u^{-\alpha }(1-u{)}^{-\beta }y$. This dependent-variable rescaling of a Papperitz symbol subtracts $\alpha$ from both exponents at zero, subtracts $\beta$ from both exponents at one, and adds $\alpha +\beta$ to both exponents at infinity. Hence $v$ has symbolDefineThe Fuchs relation gives ${\alpha }^{\prime }-\alpha =1-C$ and ${\beta }^{\prime }-\beta =C-A-B$. After renaming $u$ as $z$, the symbol is thereforewhich is the Gauss hypergeometric equation. Renaming $A,B,C$ as $a,b,c$ gives exactly the displayed symbol in the question.