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14 Legendre and Related FunctionsReal Arguments

§14.7 Integer Degree and Order

Contents
  1. §14.7(i) \mu=0
  2. §14.7(ii) Rodrigues-Type Formulas
  3. §14.7(iii) Reflection Formulas
  4. §14.7(iv) Generating Functions

§14.7(i) \mu=0

For n=0,1,2,\dots,

where P_{n}\left(x\right) is the Legendre polynomial of degree n. For additional properties of P_{n}\left(x\right) see Chapter 18.

where W_{-1}(x)=0, and for n\geq 1,

equivalently,

14.7.4 W_{n-1}(x)=\sum_{k=1}^{n}\frac{1}{k}P_{k-1}\left(x\right)P_{n-k}\left(x\right).
14.7.5
W_{0}(x)=1,
W_{1}(x)=\tfrac{3}{2}x,
W_{2}(x)=\tfrac{5}{2}x^{2}-\tfrac{2}{3}.

§14.7(ii) Rodrigues-Type Formulas

For m=0,1,2,\dots, and n=0,1,2,\dots,

When m is even and m\leq n, \mathsf{P}^{m}_{n}\left(x\right) and P^{m}_{n}\left(x\right) are polynomials of degree n. Also,

§14.7(iii) Reflection Formulas

§14.7(iv) Generating Functions

When -1<x<1 and |h|>1,

14.7.21 \sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\mathsf{P}_{n}\left(x\right)h^{-n-1}=\left(1-2xh+h^{2}%
\right)^{-1/2}.

When x>1, (14.7.19) applies with |h|<x-\left(x^{2}-1\right)^{1/2}. Also, with the same conditions

Lastly, when x>1, (14.7.21) applies with |h|>x+\left(x^{2}-1\right)^{1/2}.

For other generating functions see Magnus et al. (1966, pp. 232–233) and Rainville (1960, pp. 163–165, 168, 170–171, 184).