Algebraic interpretation of the two-variable Jacobi polynomials on the triangle: the pentagonal way

Abstract

The rank two Jacobi algebra $\mathcal{J}_2$ is used to provide an interpretation of the two-variable Jacobi polynomials $J_{n,k}^{(a,b,c)}(x,y)$ on the triangle, as overlaps between two representation bases. The subalgebra structure of $\mathcal{J}_2$ depicted via a pentagonal graph is exploited to find the explicit expression of the two-variable functions in terms of univariate Jacobi polynomials. It is also seen to provide an explanation for the fact that the expansion on the basis $J_{n,k}^{(a,b,c)}(x,y)$ of the polynomials obtained from the latter by permuting the variables $x,y, z=1-x-y$ and the parameters $(a,b,c)$ is given in terms of Racah polynomials. The underlying order-three symmetry is discussed.