Chapter7 2 7. Simple Approach to Special Polynomials: Laguerre, Hermite, Legendre, Tchebycheff, and Gegenbauer

Abstract Special polynomials: Laguerre, Hermite, Legendre, Tchebycheff and Gegenbauer are obtained through well-known linear algebra methods based on Sturm-Liouville theory. A matrix corresponding to the differential operator is found and its eigenvalues are obtained. The elements of the eigenvectors obtained correspond to each mentioned polynomial. This method contrasts in simplicity with standard methods based on solving the differential equation by means of power series, obtaining them through a generating function, using the Rodrigues formula for each polynomial, or by means of a contour integral.