Discrete inequalities, orthogonal polynomials and the spectral theory of difference operators
In a recent paper the first two authors studied a class of series inequalities associated with a three-term recurrence relation which includes a well-known inequality of Copson’s. It was shown that the validity of the inequality and the value of the best constant are determined in term s of the so-called Hellinger-Nevanlinnam -function. The theory is the discrete analogue of that established by Everitt for a class of integro-differential inequalities. In this paper the properties of the m -function are investigated and connections with the theory of orthogonal polynomials and the H am burger moment problem are explored. The results are applied to give examples of the series inequalities associated with the classical orthogonal polynomials.