Hahn polynomials
Family of orthogonal polynomials
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In mathematics, Hahn polynomials are a family of orthogonal polynomials in the Askey scheme of hypergeometric orthogonal polynomials, introduced by Pafnuty Chebyshev[1] and rediscovered by Wolfgang Hahn.[2] The Hahn class is a name for special cases of Hahn polynomials, such as Meixner polynomials, Krawtchouk polynomials, and Charlier polynomials. Sometimes the Hahn class is taken to include limiting cases of these polynomials, in which case it also includes the classical orthogonal polynomials.
Hahn polynomials are defined in terms of generalized hypergeometric functions by[3]
for . If , these polynomials are identical to the discrete Chebyshev polynomials up to a scale factor.
Hahn polynomials have dual, continuous and continuous dual versions. These polynomials all have q-analogs. Hahn polynomials are a limiting case of Racah polynomials.[4]
Properties
Orthogonality
Hahn polynomials satisfy the orthogonality relations[citation needed]
where is the Kronecker delta and the weight functions are
and
Dual version
Hahn polynomials have a dual version, the dual Hahn polynomials, which are also a family of orthogonal polynomials in the Askey scheme of hypergeometric orthogonal polynomials. They are defined on a non-uniform lattice by[citation needed]
for , and the parameters are restricted to
Here is the rising factorial, and is a generalized hypergeometric function.
Roelof Koekoek, Peter A. Lesky, and René F. Swarttouw (2010, 14) give a detailed list of their properties.
Orthogonality
The dual Hahn polynomials satisfy the orthogonality condition
for , where ,
and
Numerical instability
As increases, the values that the discrete polynomials attain increase. As a result, obtaining numerical stability in calculating the polynomials requires the use of renormalized dual Hahn polynomials, defined as
for . Here the orthogonality condition becomes
for
Continuous version
Hahn polynomials have a continuous version, the continuous Hahn polynomials, which are also a family of orthogonal polynomials in the Askey scheme of hypergeometric orthogonal polynomials. They are defined in terms of generalized hypergeometric functions by
Roelof Koekoek, Peter A. Lesky, and René F. Swarttouw (2010, 14) give a detailed list of their properties.
Orthogonality
The continuous Hahn polynomials are orthogonal with respect to the weight function
In particular, they satisfy the orthogonality relation[5][6][7]
for , , , , , .
Recurrence and difference relations
The sequence of continuous Hahn polynomials satisfies the recurrence relation[5]
where
and
Rodrigues formula
The continuous Hahn polynomials are given by the Rodrigues-type formula[8]
Generating functions
The continuous Hahn polynomials have the following generating function:[8]
A second, distinct generating function is given by
Relation of continuous Hahn polynomials to other polynomials
- The Wilson polynomials are a generalization of the continuous Hahn polynomials.
- The Bateman polynomials Fn(x) are related to the special case a=b=c=d=1/2 of the continuous Hahn polynomials by
- The Jacobi polynomials Pn(α,β)(x) can be obtained as a limiting case of the continuous Hahn polynomials:[9]
Continuous dual Hahn polynomials
In mathematics, the continuous dual Hahn polynomials are a family of orthogonal polynomials in the Askey scheme of hypergeometric orthogonal polynomials. They are defined in terms of generalized hypergeometric functions by


Roelof Koekoek, Peter A. Lesky, and René F. Swarttouw (2010, 14) give a detailed list of their properties.
Closely related polynomials include the dual Hahn polynomials Rn(x;γ,δ,N), the continuous Hahn polynomials pn(x,a,b, a, b), and the Hahn polynomials. These polynomials all have q-analogs with an extra parameter q, such as the q-Hahn polynomials Qn(x;α,β, N;q), and so on.
Relation of continuous dual Hahn polynomials to other polynomials
- Wilson polynomials are a generalization of continuous dual Hahn polynomials
q-Hahn polynomials
In mathematics, the q-Hahn polynomials are a family of basic hypergeometric orthogonal polynomials in the basic Askey scheme. Roelof Koekoek, Peter A. Lesky, and René F. Swarttouw (2010, 14) give a detailed list of their properties.
Definition
The polynomials are given in terms of basic hypergeometric functions by
Dual q-Hahn polynomials
In mathematics, the dual q-Hahn polynomials are a family of basic hypergeometric orthogonal polynomials in the basic Askey scheme. Roelof Koekoek, Peter A. Lesky, and René F. Swarttouw (2010, 14) give a detailed list of their properties.
Definition
The polynomials are given in terms of basic hypergeometric functions.
Continuous q-Hahn polynomials
In mathematics, the continuous q-Hahn polynomials are a family of basic hypergeometric orthogonal polynomials in the basic Askey scheme. Roelof Koekoek, Peter A. Lesky, and René F. Swarttouw (2010, 14) give a detailed list of their properties.
Definition
The polynomials are given in terms of basic hypergeometric functions and the q-Pochhammer symbol by [10]
Gallery
Relation of q-Hahn polynomials to other polynomials
q-Hahn polynomials→ Quantum q-Krawtchouk polynomials:
q-Hahn polynomials→ Hahn polynomials
make the substitution, into definition of q-Hahn polynomials, and find the limit q→1, we obtain
- ,which is exactly Hahn polynomials.
Continuous dual q-Hahn polynomials
In mathematics, the continuous dual q-Hahn polynomials are a family of basic hypergeometric orthogonal polynomials in the basic Askey scheme. Roelof Koekoek, Peter A. Lesky, and René F. Swarttouw (2010, 14) give a detailed list of their properties.
Definition
The polynomials are given in terms of basic hypergeometric functions and the q-Pochhammer symbol by [11]
In which
Gallery
Relation of Hahn polynomials to other polynomials
- Racah polynomials are a generalization of Hahn polynomials











