Difference equations for hypergeometric polynomials from the Askey scheme. Some resultants (Q2565454)

It is shown that every family of hypergeometric orthogonal polynomials belonging to the Askey scheme satisfy a difference equation of the form \[ Tp_n(\lambda(x))=A_n(x)P_{n-1}(\lambda(x))-B_n(x)p_n(\lambda(x)), \] where \(T\) denotes a degree lowering operator and \(A_n(x)\) and \(B_n(x)\) are rational functions. For \(\lambda(x)=x(x+\gamma+\delta+1)\) the discriminants of a sequence of orthogonal polynomials can be obtained explicitly in terms of the coefficients of the appropriate three-term recurrence relation and the function \(A_n(x)\) above. This leads to explicit results for the Racah and the dual Hahn polynomials. Finally, it is pointed out that the method also applies to other families of orthogonal polynomials. The ideas are based on earlier results by M. E. H.~Ismail; see for instance [\textit{M. E. H.~Ismail, I.~Nikolova} and \textit{P.~Simeonov}, ``Difference equations and discriminants for discrete orthogonal polynomials'', Ramanujan J. 8, No. 4, 475--502 (2004; Zbl 1081.33014)].