Legendre polynomials

E695818

Legendre polynomials are a sequence of orthogonal polynomials that arise in solving Legendre’s differential equation, playing a central role in mathematical physics, especially in problems with spherical symmetry such as potential theory and quantum mechanics.

Jump to: Statements Referenced by

Statements (48)

Predicate Object
instanceOf orthogonal polynomials
are polynomials with real coefficients
areDefinedBy Rodrigues formula P_n(x) = 1/(2^n n!) d^n/dx^n (x^2-1)^n
areEigenfunctionsOf Legendre differential operator NERFINISHED
areOrthogonalOn interval [-1,1]
areOrthogonalWithRespectTo weight function w(x)=1
areRelatedTo associated Legendre functions
spherical harmonics Y_l^m(θ,φ)
areSpecialCaseOf Jacobi polynomials P_n^{(0,0)}(x)
areUsedIn Gaussian quadrature (Gauss–Legendre quadrature) NERFINISHED
angular part of Schrödinger equation for central potentials
approximation of random fields on the sphere
approximation theory
cosmology for CMB power spectrum expansions
electrostatics with spherical symmetry
expansion of 1/|r-r'| in spherical coordinates
geodesy
gravity field modeling
multipole expansions
numerical analysis
partial wave analysis in quantum scattering
potential theory
quantum mechanics
scattering theory
solution of Laplace equation in spherical coordinates
solution of Poisson equation with spherical symmetry
solution of boundary value problems with axial symmetry
spectral methods for differential equations
spherical harmonics expansions
areUsedToConstruct Legendre series expansions
areUsedToExpand functions on [-1,1] in orthogonal series
firstPolynomial P_0(x) = 1
form complete set in L2([-1,1]) with weight 1
fourthPolynomial P_3(x) = (1/2)(5x^3-3x)
haveDegree n for P_n(x)
haveDomain real variable x in [-1,1]
haveGeneratingFunction 1/sqrt(1-2xt+t^2) = sum_{n=0}^∞ P_n(x) t^n
haveNormalization P_n(1) = 1
haveParityProperty P_n(-x) = (-1)^n P_n(x)
haveValueAtMinusOne P_n(-1) = (-1)^n
haveZeros n distinct simple zeros in (-1,1) for P_n(x)
namedAfter Adrien-Marie Legendre NERFINISHED
satisfy (1-x^2)y'' - 2xy' + n(n+1)y = 0
satisfyDifferentialEquation Legendre differential equation NERFINISHED
satisfyOrthogonalityRelation ∫_{-1}^1 P_m(x)P_n(x) dx = 2/(2n+1) δ_{mn}
satisfyRecurrence (n+1)P_{n+1}(x) = (2n+1)xP_n(x) - nP_{n-1}(x)
secondPolynomial P_1(x) = x
thirdPolynomial P_2(x) = (1/2)(3x^2-1)

Referenced by (1)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Adrien-Marie Legendre knownFor Legendre polynomials