Solving Hermite Polynomials: Find Form from Definition

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The discussion revolves around deriving the form of Hermite polynomials from their definition using the generating function Φ(x,t). The user initially struggles with manipulating the exponential function and applying the Cauchy product formula to find the series representation. After exploring various methods without success, they realize that a Taylor expansion is the key to solving the problem. This insight highlights the importance of recognizing Taylor series in deriving polynomial forms. Ultimately, the discussion emphasizes the connection between exponential functions and polynomial solutions in mathematical analysis.
Zorba
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In a past exam paper at my uni I am asked to show that the hermite polynomials are solutions of the hermite diff. equation but first there is the following

\Phi(x,t)=\exp (2xh-h^2)=\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \frac{h^n}{n!}H_n(x)

So I need to find the form of H_n first, and I'm stuck. I tried writing

\exp (2xh-h^2)=\exp (2xh) \cdot \exp (-h^2)

and then writing both of those as infinite series and using the Cauchy product formula but I couldn't get it to work out. I've tried a variety of other ways, but none seem to give me the proper formulas that I see on wikipedia and so on. So what the approach to take if you a priori know nothing about the Hermite polynomials, and you need to determine their form using the above definition?
 
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Ah, damn it, I see it now it's a just a matter of doing a Taylor expansion! :smile:
 

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