Use the real eigenfunctions, or insert a complex conjugate on the first factor for complex functions. Multiply by , do the same with interchanged, and subtract. Integration by parts givesThe boundary term vanishes because both functions and derivatives are bounded while . For distinct squared indices, orthogonality of Sturm-Liouville eigenfunctions therefore yieldsA second integration by parts, using the equation for , givesThus derivative orthogonality when the Sturm-Liouville potential vanishes givesThe index qualification matters. The source initially allows integer indices, so alone does not imply distinct eigenvalues: gives the same . Taking the conventional nonnegative labels makes the stated conclusion valid. For the polynomial solutions below, , so opposite indices are an explicit counterexample to an unqualified orthogonality claim.
Multiply the Sturm-Liouville form for by and subtract the equation for multiplied by . Integration givesThe boundary expression is zero because and the functions and first derivatives remain finite. Since are distinct positive integers, this provesFor the derivatives, apply integration by parts once to the same Sturm-Liouville form:Thus the new weight isThis is derivative orthogonality when the Sturm-Liouville potential vanishes. For the derivative is identically zero, which is consistent with the identity.