An integral of Bessel functions

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The discussion centers on calculating an integral involving Bessel functions, particularly when the Bessel function appears in the denominator. A participant initially struggled to manipulate the integral into a more manageable form but found a closed-form solution using resources like WolframAlpha and Wikipedia. Suggestions were made to search for identities involving a 1/x factor and derivatives, as these might be relevant to the integral's structure. The conversation highlights the importance of exploring various identities related to Bessel functions, noting that some identities apply to multiple types of Bessel functions. Ultimately, the solution involves considering the Wronski Determinant of the Bessel equations to simplify the integral.
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Homework Statement


My teacher gave us a problem as an open question:
To calculate an integral involving Bessel Functions.

Homework Equations


INtegral  copy.jpg

The Attempt at a Solution


I've tried to convert this integral to one in which the Bessel function is in the numerator but failed. Does anyone know how to manipulate this sort of integrals in which the Bessel function is in the denominator?
 
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S_klogW said:

Homework Statement


My teacher gave us a problem as an open question:
To calculate an integral involving Bessel Functions.

Homework Equations


View attachment 53473

The Attempt at a Solution


I've tried to convert this integral to one in which the Bessel function is in the numerator but failed. Does anyone know how to manipulate this sort of integrals in which the Bessel function is in the denominator?

I have to admit, at first I didn't expect this integral to even have a closed form solution! So, I cheated an checked wolframalpha to find that it did indeed have one, and then I scoured the wikipedia page on Bessel functions looking for an identity which I thought might help. I found one that did the trick, but I'm not sure how to point you in the direction of it without giving too much away or sending you on a wild goose chase. =S I'm trying to think about how I would have searched for a helpful identity if I didn't already know the answer.

I'm not sure there is a good way to do the search, but here are some suggestions:

-The integrand involves a 1/x factor, so I would probably look at identities which had a 1/x factor somewhere in them.

-Since it's an integral, I would probably also focus on the identities which have a derivative somewhere in them. (As you may be able to massage one of the identities into the form ##d(\mbox{something})/dx = 1/x/J_\nu^2(x)##).

-Sum or integral forms for the bessel functions are not going to be useful because you'd have a (sqaured!) series or integral in the denominator.

Here's the wikipedia page for Bessel functions

Hopefully the suggestions I gave you will help narrow down your search for a useful identity. I'm sorry I can't think of a better way to solve the problem! Also, note that some of the identities hold for more than just ##J_\nu(x)##, so read the text to see if a non- J, Y, H, I or K letter can stand for one or more kinds of Bessel functions!
 
Well, in fact this morning my teacher revealed the solution. Just think about the Wronski Determinant of the Bessel equations! This can help us get rid of the 1/x factor!
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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