  We show that properties of hypergeometric type equations become transparent
if they are derived from appropriate 2nd order partial differential equations
with constant coefficients. In particular, we deduce the symmetries of the
hypergeometric and Gegenbauer equation from conformal symmetries of the 4- and
3-dimensional Laplace equation. We also derive the symmetries of the confluent
and Hermite equation from the so-called Schr\"odinger symmetries of the heat
equation in 2 and 1 dimension. Finally, we also describe how properties of the
${}_0F_1$ equation follow from the Helmholtz equation in 2 dimensions.
