Question: Legendres differential equation reads where is some (non-negative) real number. (a) Assume a power series solution, and obtain a recursion relation for the constants

Legendre’s differential equation reads

(1-x) 2 - 2x + (+1) = 0, 52 l f df

where ℓ is some (non-negative) real number.
(a) Assume a power series solution, and obtain a recursion relation for the constants

dx (2.208)(b) Argue that unless the series truncates (which can only happen if ℓ is an integer), the solution will diverge at x = 1.

(c) When ℓ is an integer, the series for one of the two linearly independent solutions (either or depending on whether ℓ is even or odd) will truncate, and those solutions are called Legendre polynomials Pℓ(x).
Find P3(x), P3(x), P3(x), and P3(x) from the recursion relation. Leave your answer in terms of either a0 or a1.

(1-x) 2 - 2x + (+1) = 0, 52 l f df dx (2.208)

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