ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Hermite polynomials

Hermite polynomials are just some fancy numbers that tell us how to measure and describe certain types of things called waves. Think of a wave as a pattern that goes up and down over and over again, like a rollercoaster.

Now, imagine you have lots of different types of waves, each with its own pattern. Some of these patterns are simple, like a straight line, and others are more complicated, with lots of ups and downs.

Hermite polynomials help us understand and describe these different wave patterns. They let us measure things like how fast the wave changes or how much space it takes up.

These polynomials were first discovered by a guy named Charles Hermite, who was really good at math. He figured out a way to write out all of the different types of waves using just a few simple equations. This made it easier for other people to understand and use these waves in their own work.

So, think of Hermite polynomials as a tool that helps us describe and study waves of different shapes and sizes. They're like a secret code that only a few people know, and if you learn how to use them, you can do some really cool things with waves!