MHB Help with integral (Rodriquez formula)

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The discussion focuses on using Rodriguez's formula to evaluate the integral of the product of a polynomial and a power function over the interval from -1 to 1. The user attempts to simplify the integral by applying integration by parts multiple times, claiming that terms involving the derivative of the polynomial vanish within the limits due to the presence of the factor (x^2 - 1). They express confusion about their results and seek clarification on their approach, particularly regarding the theoretical aspects that may be incorrect. Ultimately, the discussion reveals that the integral relates to the beta function, which was not covered in their course. The user is looking for guidance to identify and correct their misunderstanding for future problems.
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This looked straight forward, but I've gone wrong somewhere ...

Using Rodriquez' formula, find: $ \int_{-1}^{1}{x}^{n}P_n(x) \,dx $ Rodriquez: $ P_n(x)=\frac{1}{2n}\frac{1}{n!}\d{^{n}{({x}^{2}-1)^n}}{{x}^{n}} $

So find $ \int_{-1}^{1}{x}^{n} \frac{1}{2n}\frac{1}{n!}\d{^{n}{({x}^{2}-1)^n}}{{x}^{n}} \,dx $. I'll keep $ \frac{1}{2n}\frac{1}{n!} $ aside for now, and let $ (x^2-1) = f $, and not keep writing in the limits ...

Then, by parts, $ \int {x}^{n} \d{^{n}{f}^n}{{x}^{n}} dx = $ $ {x}^{n} \d{^{n-1}{f}^n}{{x}^{n-1}}|^1_{-1} - \int \d{^{n-1}{f}^n}{{x}^{n-1}} n{x}^{n-1} $ - and repeating by parts n times

I would appreciate knowing how to state better the following arguments around simplifying the problem ...

1st term: After doing 3 Successive differentiations of $ \d{^{n-1}{f}^n}{{x}^{n-1}} $ ALL have a $ ({x}^{2}-1) $ term in them $=(x+1)(x-1)$, therefore I claim all terms with $ \d{^{i}{f}^n}{{x}^{i}} $ in [-1,1] vanish.

I also claim that repeated integration by parts will always have a 1st term which includes $ \d{^{i}{f}^n}{{x}^{i}} $, and to which the above claim applies. So the problem is simplified to the sequence of the integral part only.

Inside the repeated integral will always have 2 parts:
The $x^n$ part: $ x^n $ is differentiated with each integration (always making it the 'u' term for parts). Therefore after n integrations it becomes $n!x^{0}=n! $

The $ \d{^{n}{f^n}}{{x}^{n}} $ part: Because this is always 'v' by parts, each successive integral has a reduced derivative, until finally we are left with just $f^n $

So finally I can find $ \frac{1}{2n}\frac{1}{n!} n! \int_{-1}^{1}f^n \,dx = \frac{1}{2n} \frac{{(x^2-1)}^{n}}{n(n+1)}|^1_{-1}$
I can't see what I have done wrong above?
 
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Hi, I would really appreciate some help with this, I have gone through it a few times with same result, so whatever I have wrong must be some theory that I have wrong, would like to identify that for this and the future ...
 
Turns out this is something called a beta function, which was (for whatever reason) a section excluded from the course ...
 

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