Chapter-8: Bessel functions

Prof. J.K. Sahoo

Department of Mathematics
BITS Pilani K K Birla Goa Campus, Goa

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 1 / 39

Bessel functions

Example: Consider the Bessel’s equation:

x 2 y ′′ + xy ′ + (x 2 − p 2 )y = 0

where p is a non-negative integer. Find the general solution at the regular

singular point x = 0.
Solutions of Bessel’s equation, are known as Bessel functions.

These functions first arose in Daniel Bernoulli’s investigation of the

oscillations of a hanging chain, appeared again in Euler’s theory of the
vibration of a circular membrane.

Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel (1784 –1846) studied disturbances in

planetary motion, which led him in 1824 to make the first systematic
analysis of solutions of this equation.

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 2 / 39

Bessel functions
Solution:
Step-1: Notice that xp(x) = 1 and x 2 q(x) = (x 2 − p 2 ). Thus
p0 = 1, q0 = −p 2 , q2 = 1, p1 = p2 = pn = q1 = qn = 0 for n ≥ 3.

Step-2: Indicial equation is m2 − p 2 = 0 and hence the roots are

m = p and m = −p.

Step-3: On solving for m = p, we obtain the following recursive

formula for evaluating all the coefficients:
an−2
(2p + 1)a1 = 0, an = − , n ≥ 2.
n(2p + n)

Step-4: Hence the solution at m = p is given by

x2 x4 x6
 
y (x) = a0 x p 1 − + 4 − 6 + ···
22 (p + 1) 2 2!(p + 1)(p + 2) 2 3!(p + 1)(p + 2)(p + 3)

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 3 / 39

Bessel functions

Solution (continued..):
1
Step-5: The solution y (x) with a0 = is known as Bessel
2p p!
function of the first kind of order p and denoted by Jp (x).
Thus
∞
X (−1)n x 2n
Jp (x) = x p
22n n!2p p!(p + 1)(p + 2) · · · (p + n)
n=0

∞ x 2n+p
(−1)n


X
2
=⇒ Jp (x) =
n!(p + n)!
n=0

Question: What is the meaning of (n + p)! if p is not an integer?

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 4 / 39

Gamma Function

Definition: The gamma function is defined by

Z ∞
Γ(p) = t p−1 e −t dt, p > 0
0

Properties of gamma function

Γ(1) = 1.
√ √
 
1
Γ = π.Sol: By taking z = 2t, we get
2
√ R∞ √
Z ∞

R∞ 2 1 z2
Γ 12 = 0 t −1/2 e −t dt = 2 0 e −z /2 dz = π √ e − 2 dz
−∞ 2π
Γ(p + 1) = pΓ(p). (Hint: Use by parts)
Γ(n + 1) = n! for any non-negative integer.

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 5 / 39

Extension of gamma function for other
values of p  
Γ(1) 1 1
For p = 0: Γ(0) = lim = lim = (±∞) but =0
p→0 p p→0 p Γ(0)
Γ(p + 1)
For −1 < p < 0: Γ(p) is obtained by Γ(p) = .
p
1
For p = −1: Γ(−1) = − lim Γ(p + 1) = (±∞) but =0
p→−1 Γ(−1)
Similarly, we can extend for other values of p by using

Γ(p + 1)
Γ(p) =
p
1
Notice that = 0 for any non-positive integer p and
Γ(p)

p! = Γ(p + 1), p ∈ R \ {−N}

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 6 / 39

Gamma functions

Figure: Graph of gamma function Γ(x)

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 7 / 39

Problems on Gamma functions
Exercise: Show the following properties:
(2n + 1)! √
   
1 3
(A) n + !=Γ n+ = 2n+1 π
2 2 2 n!
(2n)! √
   
1 1
(B) n − !=Γ n+ = 2n π
2 2 2 n!
Solution(A): Hint: (Use method of mathematical induction)
Step-1: Let n = 1. Then

3! √
       
3 3 3 3 31 1
!=Γ 1+ = Γ = Γ = 3 π
2 2 2 2 22 2 2

Step-2: Assume it is true for n = k, that is

(2k + 1)! √
 
1
k+ ! = 2k+1 π
2 2 k!

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 8 / 39

Problems on Gamma functions

Solution(A) (continued):
Step-3: Let n = k + 1. Then
       
1 3 3 3
k +1+ ! = Γ k +1+ = k+ Γ k+
2 2 2 2
2k + 3 (2k + 1)! √
 
2k + 3 1
= k+ != π
2 2 2 22k+1 k!
2k + 3 2k + 2 (2k + 1)! √
= π
2 2(k + 1) 22k+1 k!
[2(k + 1) + 1]! √
= [2(k+1)+1]
π
2 (k + 1)!

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 9 / 39

Bessel functions
1 1
Since = is defined for all values of p ∈ R, so the Bessel
p! Γ(p + 1)
function Jp (x) defined by the formula
∞
2n+p
X (−1)n x2
Jp (x) =
n!Γ(p + n + 1)
n=0

has a meaning for all values of p ∈ R

Second Frobenius Solution: If p is not an integer then the second
solution can be obtained as
∞
2n−p
X (−1)n x2
J−p (x) =
n!Γ(n − p + 1)
n=0

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 10 / 39

Bessel functions
1 1
Since = is defined for all values of p ∈ R, so the Bessel
p! Γ(p + 1)
function Jp (x) defined by the formula
∞
2n+p
X (−1)n x2
Jp (x) =
n!Γ(p + n + 1)
n=0

has a meaning for all values of p ∈ R

Second Frobenius Solution: If p is not an integer then the second
solution can be obtained as
∞
2n−p
X (−1)n x2
J−p (x) =
n!Γ(n − p + 1)
n=0

Hence the general solution is given by y (x) = c1 Jp (x) + c2 J−p (x),

called Bessel function of the second kind.
Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 10 / 39
Bessel Functions of Second Kind

The standard Bessel function of second kind is defined by


Jp (x) cos pπ − J−p (x)
if p ∈
/Z


sin pπ



Yp (x) =  

 Jp (x) cos pπ − J−p (x)
 lim if p = m ∈ Z


p→m sin pπ

Hence the general solution (in all cases including integer p) of the
Bessel equation is

y (x) = c1 Jp (x) + c2 Yp (x)

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 11 / 39

Properties of Bessel functions

Figure: Graph of Bessel functions J0 (x), J1 (x) and J2 (x)

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 12 / 39

Properties of Bessel functions
Example: For n ∈ N, show the following:
(a) Jn (x) is an even function if n is even.
(b) Jn (x) is an odd function if n is odd.
(c) J−n (x) = (−1)n Jn (x)
Solution(C):
1
First notice that = 0 for p = 0, −1, −2, −3, . . .. Now
p!
∞ x 2k−n ∞ x 2k−n
(−1)k (−1)k



X X
2 2
J−n (x) = = , (put m = k − n)
k!(k − n)! k!(k − n)!
k=0 k=n
∞
2m+n ∞
2m+n
X (−1)m+n x2 n
X (−1)m x2
= = (−1)
m!(m + n)! m!(m + n)!
m=0 m=0
n
= (−1) Jn (x)

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 13 / 39

Properties of Bessel functions

r r
2 2
Example: Show that J 1 (x) = sin x and J− 1 (x) = cos x
2 πx 2 πx
Solution:
1
∞ x 2n+ 2 ∞ r
(−1)n


X
2
2 X (−1)n x 2n+1
J 1 (x) = =
+ 12 ! 2n+1 n! n + 1 !


2 n! n x 2 2
n=0 n=0
r ∞ r ∞
2 X n
(−1) x 2n+1 2 X (−1)n x 2n+1
= h √ i =
x 2n+1 n! (2n+1)! π πx (2n + 1)!
n=0 2 22n+1 n! n=0
r
2
= sin x
πx

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 14 / 39

General class of equations of Bessel type
Exercise: Consider the differential equation of the form

d 2y dy
x2 + (2c + 1)x + [a2 b 2 x 2b + (c 2 − p 2 b 2 )]y = 0.
dx 2 dx
Solution: Substituting w = yx c and z = ax b , the above equation can be
transformed in to the following equation

d 2w dw
z2 2
+z + (z 2 − p 2 )w = 0,
dz dz
which is a Bessel’s equation of order p. Hence the general solution is
obtained by w (z) = c1 Jp (z) + c2 J−p (z) equivalently,
h i
y (x) = x −c c1 Jp (ax b ) + c2 J−p (ax b ) provide p is not an integer

Exercise: Solve y ′′ + xy = 0 in term of Bessel functions.

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 15 / 39

Properties of Bessel functions
Example: Show the following identities:
Z
d p
(A) [x Jp (x)] = x p Jp−1 (x) ⇐⇒ x p Jp (x) = x p Jp−1 (x)dx
dx
Z
d  −p
x Jp (x) = −x −p Jp+1 (x) ⇐⇒ x −p Jp (x) = − x −p Jp+1 (x)dx

(B)
dx
Solution (B): Taking a substitution m = n − 1, we can verify
∞ ∞
d  −p  d X (−1)n x 2n X (−1)n 2nx 2n−1
x Jp (x) = =
dx dx n!22n+p (n + p)! n!22n+p (n + p)!
n=0 n=1
∞
X (−1)n x 2n−1
=
(n − 1)!22n+p−1 (n + p)!
n=1
∞
X (−1)m+1 x 2m+1
= x −p x p
m!22m+p+1 (m + p + 1)!
m=0
−p
= −x Jp+1 (x)

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 16 / 39

Properties of Bessel functions
Example: Show the following identities:
p
(A) Jp ′ (x) + Jp (x) = Jp−1 (x)
x
′ p
(B) Jp (x) − Jp (x) = −Jp+1 (x)
x
′
(C) 2Jp (x) = Jp−1 (x) − Jp+1 (x)
2p
(D) Jp (x) = Jp−1 (x) + Jp+1 (x)
x
d p
Solution (A): From [x Jp (x)] = x p Jp−1 (x), we obtain
dx
x p Jp ′ (x) + px p−1 Jp (x) = x p Jp−1 (x)

On dividing x p , we get
p
Jp ′ (x) + Jp (x) = Jp−1 (x)
x

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 17 / 39

Properties of Bessel functions

d  −p
x Jp (x) = −x −p Jp+1 (x), we obtain

Solution (B): From
dx
x −p Jp ′ (x) − px −p−1 Jp (x) = −x −p Jp+1 (x)

On multiplying x p , we get
p
Jp ′ (x) + Jp (x) = Jp−1 (x)
x
Solution (C): It obtained by adding (A) and (B)

Solution (D): It obtained by subtracting (B) from (A)

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 18 / 39

Additional Problems of Bessel functions

d
[xJp (x)Jp+1 (x)] = x Jp2 (x) − Jp+1
2
 
Exercise: Show that (x)
dx
Solution:
d
[xJp (x)Jp+1 (x)]
dx
= xJp (x)Jp+1 ′ (x) + Jp+1 (x)[Jp (x) + xJp ′ (x)]
 
p+1
= xJp (x) Jp (x) − Jp+1 (x) + Jp+1 (x)Jp (x) + xJp+1 (x)Jp ′ (x)
x
hp i
= xJp2 (x) − pJp+1 (x)Jp (x) + xJp+1 (x) Jp (x) − Jp+1 (x)
 2 x
2

= x Jp (x) − Jp+1 (x)

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 19 / 39

Additional Problems of Bessel functions

 
d  2 2 p p+1 2
(x) = 2 Jp2 (x) −

Exercise: Show that Jp (x) + Jp+1 Jp+1 (x)
dx x x
Solution:
d  2 2
(x) = 2Jp (x)Jp ′ (x) + 2Jp+1 (x)Jp+1 ′ (x)

Jp (x) + Jp+1
dx  
hp i p+1
= 2Jp (x) Jp (x) − Jp+1 (x) + 2Jp+1 Jp (x) − Jp+1 (x)
x x
 
p 2 p+1 2
= 2 Jp (x) − Jp+1 (x)
x x

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 20 / 39

Additional Problems of Bessel functions

Exercise: Show that 4J0 ′′′ (x) + 3J0 ′ (x) + J3 (x) = 0

Solution: Notice that J0 ′ (x) = −J1 (x).

1
Step-1: J0 ′′ (x) = −J1 ′ (x) = − (J0 (x) − J2 (x))
2
Step-2: Now

4J0 ′′′ (x) = 2J2 ′ (x) − 2J0 ′ (x) = J1 (x) − J3 (x) − 2J0 ′ (x)
= −J0 ′ (x) − J3 (x) − 2J0 ′ (x) = −3J0 ′ (x) − J3 (x)

Hence 4J0 ′′′ (x) + 3J0 ′ (x) + J3 (x) = 0.

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 21 / 39

Additional Problems of Bessel functions

Exercise: If J4 (x) − J2 (x) = aJ0 ′′ (x) + 3Jc ′′′ (x), then find a, b and c.

Solution: From previous problem, we have

4J0 iv (x) + 3J0 ′′ (x) + J3 ′ (x) = 0.
1
Step-1: Since J0 iv (x) = −J1 ′′′ (x) and J3 ′ (x) = (J2 (x) − J4 (x)), so
2
applying these two, we get

J4 (x) − J2 (x) = 3J0 (x) − 8J1 (x)

Hence a = 3, b = −8, c = 1

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 22 / 39

Additional Problems of Bessel functions

Exercise:
Z Show that
(a) J3 (x)dx = 4J1 ′ (x) − 3J0 (x)
Z 1
(b) x 3 J0 (x) = 2J0 (1) − 3J1 (1)
0
Solution (A): Notice that

J3 (x) = J1 (x) − 2J2 ′ (x) = −J0 ′ (x) − 2J2 ′ (x)

Hence
Z
J3 (x)dx = −J0 (x) − 2J2 (x) = −J0 (x) − 2[J0 − 2J1 ′ (x)]

= 4J1 ′ (x) − 3J0 (x)

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 23 / 39

Additional Problems of Bessel functions

Exercise: Show that

J1 (x)
(a) J0 ′′ (x) = −J0 (x) +
x
(b) xJn+1 ′′ (x) + (n + 1)Jn+1 (x) = xJn (x)
Z
(c) x 4 J1 (x)dx = (4x 3 − 16x)J1 (x) − (x 4 − 8x 2 )J0 (x)
Z
(d) J5 (x)dx = −2J4 (x) − 2J2 (x) − J0 (x)

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 24 / 39

Orthogonality of Bessel functions
Theorem: Let λn be positive zeros of the Bessel function Jp (x), where
p ≥ 0. Then
Z 1 
0 if m ̸= n
xJp (λm x)Jp (λn x)dx = 1 2
0 2 Jp+1 (λn ) if m = n

Likewise Legendre series expansion, we can express some class of functions

in terms of Bessel functions as per the following.
X ∞
Theorem: f (x) = an Jp (λn x), where the coeeficients are determined by
n=1

Z 1
2
an = xf (x)Jp (λn x)dx
Jp+1 (λn )2 0

This series is known as Bessel series (or Fourier-Bessel series).

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 25 / 39

Bessel expansion theorem

Theorem: If both f (x) and f ′ (x) have at most finite

number of jump discontinuities on the interval 0 ≤ x ≤ 1
then the Bessel series converges as per the following:
  
1 − +
2 f (x ) + f (x ) if 0 < x < 1


∞


X 
an Jp (λn x) = 0 if x = 1
f (0+ ) for x = 0 and p = 0

n=1 


0 for x = 0 and p > 0


Note: Bessel series converges to f (x) when x is a point of

continuity of f .

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 26 / 39

Examples on Bessel Expansion
Example: Let f be defined as

 1 if 0 ≤ x < 12

1
f (x) = if x = 12
 2 1
0 if 2 < x ≤ 1

Show that
∞
J1 λ2n


X
f (x) = J0 (λn x),
λn J1 (λn )2
n=1

where λn ’s are positive zeros of J0 (x).

Solution: Notice that p = 0. So we need to claim that

J1 λ2n


an =
λn J1 (λn )2

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 27 / 39

Examples on Bessel Expansion

Solution(Continued...):
Z 1 Z 1/2
2 2
Step-1 an = xf (x)J0 (λn x)dx = xJ0 (λn x)dx
J1 (λn )20 J1 (λn )2 0
t dt
Step-2 Put λn x = t. Which implies x = and dx = . Further,
λn λn
Z λn   λn
2 2 2 2
an = tJ0 (t)dt = 2 tJ1 (t)
λn J1 (λn )2
2
0 λn J1 (λn )2
t=0
J1 ( λ2n )
=
λn J1 (λn )2

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 28 / 39

Examples on Bessel Expansion

Example: Let f (x) = x p where 0 ≤ x ≤ 1. Show that

∞
X 2
xp = Jp (λn x),
λn Jp+1 (λn )
n=1

where λn ’s are positive zeros of Jp (x).

Solution: We need to claim that

2
an =
λn Jp+1 (λn )

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 29 / 39

Examples on Bessel Expansion
Solution(Continued...):
Step-1 Z 1 Z 1
2 2
an = xf (x)Jp (λn x)dx = x p+1 Jp (λn x)dx
Jp+1 (λn )2 0 Jp+1 (λn )2 0
t dt
Step-2 Put λn x = t. Which implies x = and dx = . Further,
λn λn
Z λn
2
an = p+2
t p+1 Jp (t)dt
2
λn Jp+1 (λn ) 0
  λn
2 p+1
= t Jp+1 (t)
λp+2
n Jp+1 (λn )
2
t=0
2
=
λn Jp+1 (λn )

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 30 / 39

Examples on Bessel Expansion
Example: If g (x) is a well-behaved function on the interval 0 ≤ x ≤ 1,
then show that
∞
1 1 p+1
Z Z 1
X 1
x g (x)dx = xg (x)Jp (λn x)dx
2 0 λn Jp+1 (λn ) 0
n=1

By taking g (x) = x p and g (x) = x p+2 , deduce that

∞ ∞
X 1 1 X 1 1
2
= and 4
=
λn 4(p + 1) λn 16(p + 1)2 (p + 2)
n=1 n=1

1
Further, taking p = 2 show that
∞ ∞
X 1 π2 X 1 π4
= and =
n2 6 n4 90
n=1 n=1

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 31 / 39

Examples on Bessel Expansion
Solution:
Step-1 Using the Bessel expansion for x p , we obtain
Z 1 Z ∞
1X
1 p+1 1 2
x g (x)dx = Jp (λn x)xg (x)dx
2 0 2 λn Jp+1 (λn )
0 n=1
∞ Z 1
X 1
= xg (x)Jp (λn x)dx
λn Jp+1 (λn ) 0
n=1

Step-2 For g (x) = x p , notice that

∞
1 1 p+1
Z Z 1
X 1
x g (x)dx = x p+1 Jp (λn x)dx
2 0 λn Jp+1 (λn ) 0
n=1
∞
1 X 1
=⇒ = (can be verified easily!)
4(p + 1) λ2n
n=1

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 32 / 39

Examples on Bessel Expansion
Solution (continued..):
1
Step-3 Taking p = , and observing the positive zeros of
r 2
2
J1/2 (x) = sin x, we obtain
πx
∞ ∞
π2
 
X 1 2
X 1 2 1
= π = π =
n2 (nπ)2 4(1/2 + 1) 6
n=1 n=1

Step-4 For g (x) = x p+2 , notice that

Z 1 Z 1
1 p+1 1 1
x g (x)dx = x 2p+3 dx = (1)
2 0 2 0 4(p + 2)

and

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 33 / 39

Examples on Bessel Expansion
Solution (continued..): Taking t = λn x, we obtain
Z 1 Z λn Z λn
p+3 1 p+3 1
x Jp (λn x)dx = t Jp (t)dt = t 2 t p+1 Jp (t)dt
0 λp+4
n 0 λ p+4
n 0
 Z λn 
1  p+3 t=λn p+2
= t Jp+1 (t) t=0 − 2 t Jp+1 (t)dt
λp+4
n 0
Jp+1 (λn ) 2Jp+2 (λn )
= −
λn λ2
n 
Jp+1 (λn ) 2 2(p + 1)
= − 2 Jp+1 (λn )
λn λn λn
Jp+1 (λn ) 4(p + 1)
= − Jp+1 (λn )
λn λ3n
∞ Z 1 ∞ ∞
X 1 p+3
X 1 X 1
=⇒ x Jp (λn x)dx = 2
− 4(p + 1)
λn Jp+1 (λn ) 0 λn λ4n
n=1 n=1 n=1

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 34 / 39

Examples on Bessel Expansion
Solution (continued..):
Step-5 Hence we deduce that
∞ Z 1 ∞
X 1 p+3 1 X 4(p + 1)
x Jp (λn x)dx = − (2)
λn Jp+1 (λn ) 0 4(p + 1) λ4n
n=1 n=1

Step-6 Using equations (1) and (2), we get

∞  
X 1 1 1 1 1
4
= − =
λn 4(p + 1) 4(p + 1) 4(p + 2) 16(p + 1)2 (p + 2)
n=1

Step-7 Again taking p = 12 , we get

∞ ∞
π4
 
X 1 4
X 1 4 1
= π = π =
n4 (nπ)4 16(1/2 + 1)2 (1/2 + 2) 90
n=1 n=1

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 35 / 39

Additional Problem on Bessel functions
Example: Show that between any two consecutive positive zeros of
(a) Jp (x) there exist exactly one zero of Jp+1 (x).
(b) Jp+1 (x) there exist exactly one zero of Jp (x).
Solution (A):
Step-1: Let λ1 and λ2 (̸= λ1 ) be two consecutive positive zeros of
Jp (x). Thus Jp (λ1 ) = Jp (λ2 ) = 0.
Step-2: Consider g (x) = x −p Jp (x). Clearly g (λ1 ) = g (λ2 ) = 0.
Step-3: By Rolle’s theore there exist c ∈ (λ1 , λ2 ) such that

d  −p
g ′ (c) = x Jp (x) x=c = x −p Jp+1 (x) x=c = c −p Jp+1 (c) = 0
  
dx

Step-4: Hence Jp+1 (c) = 0 (why c ̸= 0?)

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 36 / 39

Additional Problem on Bessel functions

Solution (A) continued: (Uniqueness of c)

Step-5: Suppose there exist two zeros say c1 , c2 ∈ (λ1 , λ2 ) of
Jp+1 (x). Thus Jp+1 (c1 ) = Jp+1 (c2 ) = 0.
Step-6: Consider h(x) = x p+1 Jp+1 (x). Clearly h(c1 ) = h(c2 ) = 0.
Step-7: Again by Rolle’s theore there exist λ ∈ (c1 , c2 ) ⊂ (λ1 , λ2 )
such that
d  p+1
h′ (λ) = Jp+1 (x) x=λ = x p+1 Jp (x) x=λ = λp+1 Jp (λ) = 0
  
x
dx
which contradicts to the fact that λ1 and λ2 are two consecutive
positive zeros of Jp (x).

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 37 / 39

Solution (B):
Step-1: Let λ1 and λ2 (̸= λ1 ) be two consecutive positive zeros of
Jp+1 (x). Thus Jp+1 (λ1 ) = Jp+1 (λ2 ) = 0.
Step-2: Consider g (x) = x p+1 Jp+1 (x). Clearly g (λ1 ) = g (λ2 ) = 0.
Step-3: By Rolle’s theore there exist c ∈ (λ1 , λ2 ) such that

d  p+1
g ′ (c) = Jp+1 (x) x=c = x p+1 Jp (x) x=c = c p+1 Jp (c) = 0
  
x
dx

Step-4: Hence Jp (c) = 0 (why c ̸= 0?)

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 38 / 39

Solution (B) continued: (Uniqueness of c)
Step-5: Suppose there exist two zeros say c1 , c2 ∈ (λ1 , λ2 ) of Jp (x).
Thus Jp (c1 ) = Jp (c2 ) = 0.
Step-6: Consider h(x) = x −p Jp (x). Clearly h(c1 ) = h(c2 ) = 0.
Step-7: Again by Rolle’s theore there exist λ ∈ (c1 , c2 ) ⊂ (λ1 , λ2 )
such that
d  −p
h′ (λ) = x Jp (x) x=λ = − x −p Jp+1 (x) x=λ = −λ−p Jp+1 (λ) = 0
  
dx
which contradicts to the fact that λ1 and λ2 are two consecutive
positive zeros of Jp+1 (x).

Prof. J.K. Sahoo (BITS Goa) Mathematics-III (Chapter-8) Bessel functions 39 / 39