A limit \(q=-1\) for the big \(q\)-Jacobi polynomials (Q2841409)

The paper presents the family of big \(-1\)-Jacobi polynomials, which is a new family of ``classical'' orthogonal polynomials. They are obtained as a nontrivial limit of the big \(q\)-Jacobi polynomials when \(q \rightarrow -1\) and an explicit expression of these polynomials in terms of Gauss' hypergeometric functions is also given.NEWLINENEWLINENEWLINEThe big \(-1\)-Jacobi polynomials contain three real parameters and are orthogonal on the union of two symmetric intervals of the real axis. Since these polynomials satisfy an eigenvalue problem with differential operators of Dunkl type, the authors say that this missing family of classical orthogonal polynomials should be included into the Askey table as a special case. Moreover, it is shown that the big \(-1\) Jacobi polynomials are obtained from the Bannai-Itō polynomials when the orthogonality support is extended to an infinite number of points in a way that preserves positive definiteness.