# Function approximation via an orthonormal basis (with singular weight)

If you don't mind, please consider the eigenvalue problem $$(1-x^2)u''+ \lambda u=0 \ \ \ \forall x\in (-1,1),$$ $$u(\pm 1) = 0.$$ Observe that for suitable values of $$\lambda$$, the ODE resembles a Gegenbauer differential equation (on the boundary of the typical parameter range) that yields an orthonormal basis of polynomials in an inner product space with singular weight, $$(f,g) = \int_{-1}^1 \frac{f(s)g(s)}{1-s^2}ds .$$ An orthogonal polynomial basis (w.r.t. the above inner product) can be calculated without difficulty (from approximation of regular Gegenbauer polynomials or otherwise). Denote the basis of polynomials (of order n) by $$\phi_n$$ for $$n\in\mathbb{Z}$$ with $$n\geq 2$$. Note that order 0 and 1 polynomials are exculded due to the boundary conditions ... and normalisation from the singular weight).

Now the question ... In general, for what $$f:[-1,1]\to\mathbb{R}$$ does $$\left|\left| f - \sum_{n=2}^\infty (f,\phi_n)\phi_n \right|\right| = 0$$ hold (where the norm is that induced by the inner product space)?

I suppose I don't mind if the question is restricted to $$f\in C^2([-1,1])$$ since ultimately I care about this case.

I hate to answer my own question but since nobody else has ... I now realise that this is essentially a singular" Jacobi/Gegenbauer equation ... i.e. it is not technically a Jacobi/Gegenbnauer equation due to the singular weight but it qualitatively satisfies lots of relations satisfied by Jacobi polynomials, but with quantitative differences. Hence it can be related to a Legendre equation which has well-established Fourier series convergence properties (for the associated Legendre polynomials).