Integrated Pearson family and orthogonality of the Rodrigues polynomials: A review including new results and an alternative classification of the Pearson system

Abstract: An alternative classification of the Pearson family of probability densities is related to the orthogonality of the corresponding Rodrigues polynomials. This leads to a subset of the ordinary Pearson system, the Integrated Pearson Family. Basic properties of this family are discussed and reviewed, and some new results are presented. A detailed comparison between the integrated Pearson family and the ordinary Pearson system is presented, including an algorithm that enables to decide whether a given Pearson density belongs to the integrated system, or not. Recurrences between the derivatives of the corresponding orthonormal polynomial systems are also given.