Orthogonal functions

In mathematics, two functions and are orthogonal if their inner product

is zero. Whether or not two particular

functions are orthogonal depends on how their inner product has been defined. A typical definition of an inner product for functions is

with appropriate integration boundaries. See also Hilbert space for more background.

Solutions of linear differential equations with boundary conditions can often be written as a weighted sum of orthogonal solution functions (a.k.a. eigenfunctions).

Examples of sets of orthogonal functions:

• Hermite polynomials
• Legendre polynomials
• Spherical harmonics

See also: orthogonal polynomials.