An Introduction To Orthogonal Polynomials

Assuming no further prerequisites than a first undergraduate course in real analysis, this concise introduction covers general elementary theory related to orthogonal polynomials. It includes necessary background material of the type not usually found in the standard mathematics curriculum. Suitable for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses, it is also appropriate for independent study. Topics include the representation theorem and distribution functions, continued fractions and chain sequences, the recurrence formula and properties of orthogonal polynomials, special functions, and some specific systems of orthogonal polynomials. Numerous examples and exercises, an extensive bibliography, and a table of recurrence formulas supplement the text.

"This concise introduction covers general elementary theory related to orthogonal polynomials and assumes only a first undergraduate course in real analysis. Topics include the representation theorem and distribution functions, continued fractions and chain sequences, the recurrence formula and properties of orthogonal polynomials, special functions, and some specific systems of orthogonal polynomials. 1978 edition"--

Assuming no further prerequisites than a first undergraduate course in real analysis, this concise introduction covers general elementary theory related to orthogonal polynomials. It includes necessary background material of the type not usually found in the standard mathematics curriculum. Suitable for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses, it is also appropriate for independent study. Topics include the representation theorem and distribution functions, continued fractions and chain sequences, the recurrence formula and properties of orthogonal polynomials, special functions, and some specific systems of orthogonal polynomials. Numerous examples and exercises, an extensive bibliography, and a table of recurrence formulas supplement the text.

This book presents contributions of international and local experts from the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS-Cameroon) and also from other local universities in the domain of orthogonal polynomials and applications. The topics addressed range from univariate to multivariate orthogonal polynomials, from multiple orthogonal polynomials and random matrices to orthogonal polynomials and Painlevé equations. The contributions are based on lectures given at the AIMS-Volkswagen Stiftung Workshop on Introduction of Orthogonal Polynomials and Applications held on October 5–12, 2018 in Douala, Cameroon. This workshop, funded within the framework of the Volkswagen Foundation Initiative "Symposia and Summer Schools", was aimed globally at promoting capacity building in terms of research and training in orthogonal polynomials and applications, discussions and development of new ideas as well as development and enhancement of networking including south-south cooperation.

The general theory of orthogonal polynomials was developed in the late 19th century from a study of continued fractions by P. L. Chebyshev, even though special cases were introduced earlier by Legendre, Hermite, Jacobi, Laguerre, and Chebyshev himself. It was further developed by A. A. Markov, T. J. Stieltjes, and many other mathematicians. The book by Szego, originally published in 1939, is the first monograph devoted to the theory of orthogonal polynomials and its applications in many areas, including analysis, differential equations, probability and mathematical physics. Even after all the years that have passed since the book first appeared, and with many other books on the subject published since then, this classic monograph by Szego remains an indispensable resource both as a textbook and as a reference book. It can be recommended to anyone who wants to be acquainted with this central topic of mathematical analysis.

This is the first book on constructive methods for, and applications of orthogonal polynomials, and the first available collection of relevant Matlab codes. The book begins with a concise introduction to the theory of polynomials orthogonal on the real line (or a portion thereof), relative to a positive measure of integration. Topics which are particularly relevant to computation are emphasized. The second chapter develops computational methods for generating the coefficients in the basic three-term recurrence relation. The methods are of two kinds: moment-based methods and discretization methods. The former are provided with a detailed sensitivity analysis. Other topics addressed concern Cauchy integrals of orthogonal polynomials and their computation, a new discussion of modification algorithms, and the generation of Sobolev orthogonal polynomials. The final chapter deals with selected applications: the numerical evaluation of integrals, especially by Gauss-type quadrature methods, polynomial least squares approximation, moment-preserving spline approximation, and the summation of slowly convergent series. Detailed historic and bibliographic notes are appended to each chapter. The book will be of interest not only to mathematicians and numerical analysts, but also to a wide clientele of scientists and engineers who perceive a need for applying orthogonal polynomials.

Updated throughout, this revised edition contains 25% new material covering progress made in the field over the past decade.

The main topics of this volume, dedicated to Lance Littlejohn, are operator and spectral theory, orthogonal polynomials, combinatorics, number theory, and the various interplays of these subjects. Although the event, originally scheduled as the Baylor Analysis Fest, had to be postponed due to the pandemic, scholars from around the globe have contributed research in a broad range of mathematical fields. The collection will be of interest to both graduate students and professional mathematicians. Contributors are: G.E. Andrews, B.M. Brown, D. Damanik, M.L. Dawsey, W.D. Evans, J. Fillman, D. Frymark, A.G. García, L.G. Garza, F. Gesztesy, D. Gómez-Ullate, Y. Grandati, F.A. Grünbaum, S. Guo, M. Hunziker, A. Iserles, T.F. Jones, K. Kirsten, Y. Lee, C. Liaw, F. Marcellán, C. Markett, A. Martinez-Finkelshtein, D. McCarthy, R. Milson, D. Mitrea, I. Mitrea, M. Mitrea, G. Novello, D. Ong, K. Ono, J.L. Padgett, M.M.M. Pang, T. Poe, A. Sri Ranga, K. Schiefermayr, Q. Sheng, B. Simanek, J. Stanfill, L. Velázquez, M. Webb, J. Wilkening, I.G. Wood, M. Zinchenko.