8.

Legendre Functions
IRENE
A. STEQUN
'

Contents

Page

Mathematical Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
332
Notation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
332
8.1. Differential Equation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
332
8.2. Relations Between Legendre Functions . . . . . . . . . .
333
8.3. Values on the Cut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
333
8.4. Explicit Expressions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
333
8.5. Recurrence Relations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
333
8.6. Special Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
334
8.7. Trigonometric Expansions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
335
8.8. Integral Representations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
335
8.9. Summation Formulas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
335
8.10. Asymptotic Expansions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
335
8.11. Toroidal Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
336
8.12. Conical Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
337
8.13. Relation to Elliptic Integrals . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
337
8.14. Integrals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
337
Numerical Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
339
8.15. Use and Extension of the Tables . . . . . . . . . . . .
339
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
340
342
Table 8.1. Legendre Function-First Kind P. (a:) ( ~ 5 1 ). . . . . . .
~=0(.01)1,n=0(1)3. 9. 10. 5-8D
Table 8.2. Derivative of the Legendre Function-First Kind Pn(z)
(SSl). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
344
~=0(.01)1,n=1(1)4. 9. 10. 5-7D
Table 8.3. Legendre Function-Second Kind Qn(z)(251) . . . . . .
346
~=0(.01)1,n=0(1)3. 9. 10. 8D
Table 8.4. Derivative of the Legendre FunctionSecond Kind Q;(z)
(251) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
348
~=0(.01)1,n=0(1)3. 9. 10. 6-8D
350
Table 8.5. Legendre Function-First Kind P&) (a: 2 1) . . . . . . .
2=1(.2)10, n=0(1)5. 9. 10. exact or 6s
Table 8.6. Derivative of the Legendre Function-First Kind P;(z)
(221) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
351
2=1(.2)10, n=1(1)5. 9. 10. 6s
Table 8.7. Legendre FunctionSecond Kind Qn(a:) (211) . . . . . .
352
~=1(.2)10,n=0(1)3. 9. 10. 6s
Table 8.8. Derivative of the Legendre Function-Second Kind &:(a:)
(z21) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
353
a:=1(.2)10, n=0(1)3. 9. 10. 6 s
The author acknowledges the assistance of Ruth E. Capuano. Elizabeth F. Godefroy.
David S. Liepman. and Bertha H . Walter in the preparation and checking of the tablea
and examples.
1

National Bureau of Standards.

331

8. Legendre Functions
Mathematical Properties
Notation

8.1. Differential Equation

The conventions used are z=x+iy, x, 7~ real,

and in particular, x always means a real number
in the interval -1 I x I +1 with cos e=x where
e is likewise a real number; n and m are positive
integers or zero; v and p are unrestricted except
where otherwise indicated.
Other notations are:

8.1.1
d2w
7 - 2 2 dw
-+[v(Y+1)--lw=o lr2
dz
dz
1-22

(1-22)

Solutions

(Degree v and order p with singularities at

z=fl,
as ordinary branch points-p, v arbitrary complex constants.)

e(

P:(z),
z) -Associated Legendre Functions (Spherical Harmonics) of the First and Second Kinds

la% (z* 1>1<*,

la% zl<*

(9- l)"=(z-l)'fi(z+l)'fi
for (-1)

m d -

(For P:(z), p=O, Legendre polynomials, see

chapter 22.)

2 (n+m) !

8.1.2

Various other definitions of the functions occur

as well as mixing of definitions.

(For F(a, b; c;

2)

see chapter 15.)

Alternate Forms

(Additional forms may be obtained by means of the transformation formulas of the hypergeometric function, see [8.1].)
(1221<1)

* The functions Y::(e, p)=- mp COS e) called surface harmonics of the first kind, tesseral for m<n
and sectoral
sin mpI
for m=n. With O<O<r,
,2
O
rp
<<
they are everywhere one valued and continuous functions on the surface of the
unit sphere z*+y*+z*= 1 where z=sin e cos p, y=sin e sin p and z=cos 8.
*See paw XI.

332

333

LEGENDRE FUNCTIONS

(Upper and lower signs according as Yz=O.)

Wronskian

8.1.9

W{P,(z), Q,(z)}=-(~~-l)-'

-e+ffir&:(z--iO)]
8.3.4
Q:(z) = +e-'fir[e-JffirQ: (z+io) +ei*fir&: (2-io) ]

8.2. Relations Between Legendre Functions

Negative Degree

(Formulas for P,'(z) and &:(z) are obtained with

the replacement of 2-1 by (l-z)e*fr, ( 2 - 1 ) by
(1 --z2)effr, z+ 1 by s+ 1 for z=zfiO.)

P!!.-,(z) =P:(z)

8.2.1
8.2.2

8.4. Explicit Expressions

(z)= f --?reffircos vlrP:(z)

+&.'(z) sin [dv+dIJ/sin [*(v-dl
Negative Argument (

3 2

8.2.3
2
P/(-z)=e~f~rP:(z)--e-'''

sin

8.2.4

QI(
p

17

Q:(-Z)=-effv+

(Z=COS

Po(z)=l

8.4.1

0)

e)
Po(z)=l

8.4.2

[lr(v+p)]Q:(~)

Negative Order

8.2.5

Degree p + 3 and Order + 4

Y

9?2>0

32
--

8.5. Recurrence Relations

8.3. Values on the Cut
(- 1 <z<1)

8.3.1

PI (2)= +[eiffirP:
(z+ io) +e-iffirP: (%-io)]
*See page n.

(Both P,"and Q: satisfy the same recurrence

relations.)
8.5.1

Varying Order

P!!+1(2)=(9-1)-i{(Y-p)zP:(z)

-(v+C()P,'--i(z) 1

334

LEGENDRE FUNCTIONS

8.6.9

8.6.10

8.6.12
Pj(cos e)=($*)-*

(sin e)-' cos [(v++)e]

8.6.13
@(cos

e)=-($*)# (sin e)-$ sir1 [(v++)O]

8.6.14

P;i(cos

e)= ( 4 ~-+++)
)
-l(siri e)

-f

sin [(v+$)O]

8.6.15
&;'(COS

e)=(2~)+(2v+l)-'(sine)-* cos [(v+$)O]

p=-v

8.6.16

p=O,

2,3,..

p=m=l,

8.6.6

(Rodrigues' Formula)

fi(z)=(22-1)'" d"P"(Z)
7
1

e ( x=
)(- l)m(

1-22>'"

8.6.7
@(Z)=(

Z2-1)'m

8.6.18

d"P"(2)
dx"
~

where

dmQv(2)
d zm

J -

p=*a

8.6.8

p?(Z) = (9-1) -lI4(2r)*See page

11.

[Z+ (zZ- 1) 1/2]r+*

+[z +(9- 1) 1'21 - "-4

-

v=n

1 d*(Z2-l)n
P,(Z) =-2"n! dz"

LEGENDRE FUNCTIONS

335

v=o, 1

8.6.22

pP':,s "1

=-+ tan $0 sin2 ;O+sin 0 In (cos $0)

"=l

8.7. Trigonometric Expansions

) r?<e< -O(

8.8. Integral Representations

(z not on the real axis between -1 and - a )

(z- t) -lPn(t)dt = (- 1) n+l Qn(-Z)

(For other integral representations see [8.2].)

8.9.1

(5-z)g (2m+

8.9.2

( F - - B ) ~(2m+

m =O

m =O

8.10. Asymptotic Expansions

For fixed z and Y and 9'p-+o3, 8.10.1-8.10.3 are asymptotic expansions if z is not on the real
axis between --ca and -1 and + a and + 1 . (Upper or lower signs according as 9220.)

*See page 11.

336

LEGENDRE FUNCTIONS

With r replaced by -p, 8.1.2 is an asymptotic expansion for P,?(z) for fixed z and v and W p+aD
if z is not on the real axis between --OD and -1.
For fixed z and p and Wv+-, 8.10.4 and 8.10.6 are asymptotic expansions if z is not on the real
axis between - and -1 and + and + 1 ; 8.10.5 if z is not on the real axis between - and + 1.

8.10.6

~3

efr=(3x)f(z2-1)
-]I4
&!!v(z)=
sin [~(r-v)l

r ( r + ~ cos
)
m[z+ (22-1)f]"-fF(3+r,a-r; 3+v;
r(3-r)

+iefvf cos px[z-(~~-1)*]~-4F(4+p,~-p;

3+u;

2+(22-1)

2(22- 1) f )

-z+ (22- 1)*

2(z2-1)*

The related asymptotic expansion for P'_,(z) may be derived from 8.10.4 together with 8.2.1.

For other asymptotic expansions, see [8.7] and [8.9].

8.11. Toroidal Functions (or Ring Functions)
(Only special properties are given ; other properties and representations follow from the earlier
sections.)

8.11.2

8.11.4

cosh mt dt
i ) m r (n+ a)
a-4(cash 7 ) = (--r(n-m+i#)
S-(cosh V+cosh
t sinh

*See page

11.

*
TI)"+*

337

LEGESDRE FUNCTIONS

8.12. Conical Functions

(P!~+,~(cos
e), P-++,JCOS

8.13.2 P-+(cosh

=
a
)

e>>

(Only sperinl properties are givcn ns other

properties and representiltions follow from ecirlier
sections with Y = (A, n red pnmmeter) and
Z=COS

;)

- K tanh
;I-'

8.13.4

$+iA

e.)

[;cosh

8.13.5

8.12.1

(4X2+12)(4X2+32) 0
sin' -+
+
2242
2

8.13.6

..

Pi(cosh q)=- ev/2E(,'l-e-2")

lr

8.13.7
8.12.3 P-~+,A(COS
e)=8.12.4
Q-iTt~(cose) = f i sinh Xr

8.12.5

e)

P-++~A(-cos

42

OD

cosh Atdt
(COS t-cose)
cos Atdt
,'2(cosh COS e)
cosh Atdt
,/2(cosh t-cos 0)

8.13.9

Q-dz) =K

8.13.10
*

8.13. Relation to Elliptic Integrals

(see chapter 17) (Ba>O)

l+z
(&)

(J?)]

8.13.11 Pi(z)=;r [2E (JF)-K

8.13.12

Qi(z)=K

8.14. Integrals
8.14.1

J a

P,(z)Q,(z)dz=[(p-u)(p+u+l)]-'

lm
.d

8.14.2

Q.(z)QP(z)nz=[(~-u)(p+u+
l)]-'[$(p+

1)

-$(Y+

I)]

(a(p+u)>Y,

8.14.3

Jm

[Qv(z)]2d~=
(2~+
1)-'#'(u+

1, p + u + l #O;

8.14.6

111

(AP-TU)

(p+v+l#O)

n2-2(sin AY)'#'(V+~)
*
[P,(Z)]~~Z=

sf,

. . .)

(g'.>-3)

1)

2
8.14.4 sIIP.(r)Pp(z)dx=A* [(p-u)(p+v+l)]-' { 2sinrusin rp[$(v+l)-#(p+ l)]+rsin

8.14.5

-2, -3,

pz-1,

4)

$'(us

Q l ( z ) Q ~ ( z ) n z = [ ( p - u v ) ( p + u +l)]-'{[+(v+ 1)-$(p+1)][1+cos p n

cos v r l -

(p+u+l#O;

Y,

+A

pz-1,

sin

(YX-

-2, -3,

pm)) *
.

.)

8.14.13

8.14.10
1

J-l@(z)R(z)dz=(-l)m

8.14.11

1-(- 1)I+* (n+m)!

(I!-n)((l+n+l)(n-m)!

J:lR(z)R(z)dz=O

(I! #n)

S_ll[~(~)]ldz=(n+))-l(n+
m)!/(n- m)!

8.14.14

J" (1-9) -'[R(z)]4dz= (n+m)!/m(n- m)!

8.14.15

8.14.12

-3

~~lR(z)P~(r)(1-23-ldZ=o (z#m)

FIGUBBJ
8.1. P,(ooe

e).

n=0(1)3.

(I+~)
so'P,(z)zpdx= r(l+3P-yf2--p-1r
34 r(3P+$V+#)

(aP>-1>

-,.a

FIGWEB
8.2.

PA&).

n=1(1)3,2<1.

339

LEGENDRE FUNCMONS

Numerical Methods
8.15. Use and Extension of the Tables
Computation of P,(z)

For all values of z there is very little loss of

significant figurea (except at zeros) in using the
recurrence relation 8.5.3 for increasing values of n.
Example 1. ComputeP,(z) forz=.31415 92654
and x=2.6 for n=2(1)8.

340
n

LEQENDRE TNCMONS
Pn(.31415 92654)

Pn(2.6)

1
1
.31415 92654
2.6
2
-.35195 59340
9.64
3
-.39372 32064
40.04
4
.04750 63122
174.952
5
,34184 27517
786.74336
6
. 15729 86975
3604.350016
7
-.20123 39354
16729.51005
8
-.25617 29328
78402.55522
Computing P&) using Table 22.9 carrying ten
significant figures, P8(.3141592654)=-.26617 2933
and P8(2.6)=78402.55526.

Example 3. Compute Q5(z)for z=2.6.

Ten terms in tlie series for F

of 8.1.3 are necessary to obtain nine significant

figures giving Q,(2.6) =4.8182 4468X
Usmg
8.5.3 with increasing values of n carrying ten
significant figures we obtain
n

2
3
4
5

Computation of Qn(z)

For z<l,
use of 8.5.3 for increasing values of n
leads to very little loss of significant figures.
However, for x> 1, the recurrence relation 8.5.3
should be used only for decreasing values of n,
after having first obtained Qn using the formulas
in terms of hypergeometric functions.
Example2. Compute Qn(z)for z=.31415 92654
and n=0(1)4.
With the aid of 8.4.2 and 8.4.4 we obtain
n

(2.6)

where Qo and Q, are obtained using 8.4.2 and 8.4.4.

Computation of P*4(2), Q*4(2)

For all values of z, P*t(z) and Q*r(z) are most

easily computed by means of 8.13.
Example 4. Compute Q-+(z)for x=2.6.
Using 8.13.3 and interpolating in Table 17.1 for
K(.5),we find

Qn(.31415 92654)

.32515 34813

1
2

-. 89785 00212
-. 58567 85953

3
.29190 60854
4
.59974 26989
Using the results of Example I together with
8.6.19. we find Q4(z)= tP4(z)ln ( ~1+z
)-W3(z)
7

Qn

.40546 51081
.05420 928
.00868 364
.00148 95
.00026 49
.00004 81

where W -- P3+- PI, giving Q4(.3141592654)=

3-4
3
.59974 26989.

=(.74535 59925)(1.90424 1417)

=1.41933 7751.

On the other hand, at least nine terms in the

expansion of F
necessary to obtain comparable accuracy.

Refei mcee
Texts

[8.1] A. Erdblyi et al., Higher transcendental functions,

vol. 1, ch. 3 (McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., New
York, N.Y., 1953).
[8.2] E. W. Hobson, The theory of spherical and ellipsoidal harmonics (Chelsea Publishing CO., New
York, N.Y., 1955).
[8.3] J. Lense, Kugelfunktionen (Akademische Verlagsgesellschaft, Leipzig, Germany, 1950).
(8.41 T. M. MacRobert, Spherical harmonics, 2d rev. ed.
(Dover Publications, Inc., New York, N.Y., 1948).
[8.5] W. Magnus and F. Oberhettinger, Formulas and
theorems for the special functions of mathematical physics (Chelsea Publishing Co., New
York, N.Y., 1949).
[8.6] G. Prasad, A treatise on spherical harmonics and
the functions of Bessel and Lamb, Part I1 (Advanced) (Mahamandal Press, Benares City,
India, 1932).

[8.7] L. Robin, Fonctions sphbriques de Legendre e

fonctions sphhroidales. Tome I, 11, I11 (CauthierVillars, Paris, France, 1957).
[8.8] C. Snow, Hypergeometric and Legendre functions
with applications to integral equations of potential theory, NBS Applied Math. Series 19 (U.S.
Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.,
1952).
[8.9] R. C. Thorne, The asymptotic expansion of Legendre
functions of large degree and order, Philos. Trans.
Roy. SOC.London 249, 597-620 (1957).
Tables

(8.101 H. Bateman, Some problems in potential theory,

Mess.of Math., 617,52,73-75 (1922). P,(cosh u),
Q.(cosh u), P;(cosh u), Q:(cosh u ) ; cash ~ ~ 1 . 1 ,
n=0(1)20, 10D; cosh u=1.2, 2, 3; n=0(1)10,
exact or 10D.

341

LEGENDRE FUNCI'IONS

[8.11] Centre National d'fitfides des Tkl6communications,

Tables des fonctions de Legendre associbs.
Fonction associb de premibre espbce e ( c o s e)
(Editions de La Revue d'optique, Paris, France,
1952). ?E=-i(.i)io,
m=o(i)5, e=oo(io)eoo
(variable number of figures).
[8.12] Centre National d'fitudes des .Tklkcommunications,
Tables numkrique des fonctions aasocibs de
Legendre.
Fonctions associ&s de premiere
=0(1)4, %=0(.1)10, 6s; P:+&(z), d P."-+(z),
espkce COS 0) (Editions de La Revue d'Optique9
d
Paris, France, 1959). n= -i(.l)lO, m=0(1)2,
(- l)mQ:-&(z),
(- l ) m + l dx
Q?+t, n=-1(1)4,
eTOo(lo)1800 (variable number of figures).
m=0(1)4,.~=1(.1)10, 4-65.
(8.131 G. C. Clark and S. W. Churchill, Table of Legendre
(8.171 G. Prevost, Tableg des fonctions sphkriques et de
polynomials P,(cos e) for n=0(1)80 and B=Oo
leurs intbmales (Gauthier-Villars, Bordeaux and
(lo)180, Engineering Research Institute PublicaParis, France, 1933). P,(z),S'P.(t)dt, n=1(1)10;
tions (Univ. of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor, Mich.,
1957).
P!(z),
P!(t)dt, n=0(1)8, j=O(l)n, z=O(.Ol)l,
[8.14] R. 0. Gumprecht and G. M. Sliepcevich, Tables of
functions of the first and second partial deriva5s.
tives of Legendre polynomials (Univ. of Michigan
[8.18] H. Tallqvist, Sechsstellige Tafeln der 32 ersten
Press, Ann Arbor, Mich., 1951). Values of [zr.
Kugelfunktionen P,(cos e), Acta SOC.Sci. Fenn.,
-(1-22)~:]
104 and r n l W for ~=0(100)1700
Nova Series A, 11, 11 (1938). P,(cos e),
(l0)18Oo,n=1(1)420, 55.
n=1(1)32, Oo(10')900; 6D.
[8.19] H. Tallqvist, Acta Soc. Sci. Fenn., Nova Series A,
[8.15] M. E. Lynam, Table of Legendre functions for
11, 4(1937). P,(z), n=1(1)16,~=0(.001)1, 6D.
complex arguments TG-323, The Johns Hopkins
[8.20]
H.
Tallqvist, Tafeln der Kugelfunktionen &(cos 0)
Univ. Applied Physics Laboratory, Baltimore,
bis PS(cos e), SOC.Sci. Fenn. Comment. Phys.Md. (1958).
Math., VI, lO(1932). P,(cos e), n=25(1)32,
L8.161 National Bureau of Standards, Tables of associated
~=Oo(lo)900,5D.
Legendre functions (Columbia Univ. Press, New
[8.21] H. Tallqvist, Tafeln der 24 ersten Kugelfunktionen
d
P,,(cos e), Soc. Sci. Fenn. Comment. Phys.-Math.,
York, N.Y., 1945). P:(cos e),
P:(cos e),
VI, 3(1932). P,(COS e), n=i(i)24, e=oo(i0poo.
5D.
n=1(1)10, m( 9 ~ ) = 0 ( 1 ) 4 , ~=O?(lo)900, 6s;

s':