New mathematical identities with applications to flexure and torsion (Q1123043)

In solving the torsion problem corresponding to the family of closed cross-sections bounded by curvilinear edges whose polar equations are \(r=a| \sin (\theta /n)|^ n\), \(a>0\), \((-\pi <\theta \leq \pi)\), \(n=2,3,4,...\), the reviewer and the first author [Z. Angew. Math. Mech. 61, 639-650 (1981; Zbl 0491.73009)] proved the simple trigonometric \(identities\) c\({}_ 1^{2n}=\sum^{n}_{\nu =1}p^ n_{\nu}c_ 1^{\nu}c_{\nu}\), where \(c_{\nu}=2 \cos \nu x\) \((\nu =1,2,3)\), \(p^ n_{\nu}=\left( \begin{matrix} 2n-\nu -1\\ n-1\end{matrix} \right)\) (\(\nu\leq n).\) In this paper and in a previous paper by the authors [Z. Angew. Math. Phys. 36, 443-459 (1985; Zbl 0627.73020)] some generalisations of these trigonometric identities are established and the connection between them and certain special functions, combinatories and boundary value problems is indicated. The proofs given in the present paper make use of various combinatorial identities given by \textit{J. Riordan} in his book [Combinatorial identities (1968; Zbl 0194.005)] and \textit{D. E. Knuth} in his book [The art of computer programming. Vol. 1. Fundamental Algorithms (1968; Zbl 0191.179)].