Exact solutions to a class of differential equation and some new mathematical properties for the universal associated-Legendre polynomials

The exact solutions to a class of differential equation are studied. Some special cases are discussed for the central potentials, single ring-shaped potential and the angular Teukolsky equation. A new expression to the associated Legendre polynomials is found. Some new properties of the universal associated-Legendre polynomials (UALPs) including the generating function, Rodrigues' formula, parity, some special values and the recurrence relations are presented. A new different Rodrigues' formula of associated Legendre polynomials is also obtained.