Laguerre derivative square identity

ID: laguerre-derivative-square-identity

For polynomial solutions of the Laguerre differential equation, put . The equation gives . Integrating by parts gives the displayed identity; the factor kills the endpoint at zero and exponential decay kills the endpoint at infinity. Its left side is symmetric in , so subtracting the swapped identities proves orthogonality for distinct degrees. This provides a direct energy proof of orthogonality for the Laguerre polynomials without assuming their norm formula.

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