Recurrence relation for Bessel Functions

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around proving a recurrence relation for Bessel functions, specifically the relation J_{n-1}(x) + J_{n+1}(x) = (2n/x)J_{n}(x), using generating functions. Participants express confusion about how to compare coefficients of different powers in the context of power series.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the method of comparing coefficients in power series and express uncertainty about how to handle different powers. Some suggest examining terms in specific powers of t to extract relationships.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing exploration of the method for comparing coefficients, with some participants beginning to understand the implications of the approach. Guidance has been offered regarding how to extract terms from power series, but no consensus has been reached on the overall proof.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that previous resources have not adequately explained the process of comparing coefficients, leading to confusion. There is an emphasis on understanding the manipulation of indices in summations.

Pual Black
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Homework Statement


I want to prove this relation
##J_{n-1}(x) + J_{n+1}(x)=\frac{2n}{x}J_{n}(x))##
from the generating function. The same question was asked in this page with solution.
http://www.edaboard.com/thread47250.html
My problem is the part with comparing the coefficient. I don't understand how to compare them. They all have different powers. All pages that i visited have the same solution. Just said "compare the coefficient." They don't explain it.
Do you have a homepage that contains a detailed solution?
 
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Pual Black said:

Homework Statement


I want to prove this relation
##J_{n-1}(x) + J_{n+1}(x)=\frac{2n}{x}J_{n}(x))##
from the generating function. The same question was asked in this page with solution.
http://www.edaboard.com/thread47250.html
My problem is the part with comparing the coefficient. I don't understand how to compare them. They all have different powers. All pages that i visited have the same solution. Just said "compare the coefficient." They don't explain it.
Do you have a homepage that contains a detailed solution?
If two polynomials ##x^2+2x+3## and ##a_3x^3+a_2x^2+a_1x+a_0## are equal, what can you say about the ##a_i##?
 
Pual Black said:

Homework Statement


I want to prove this relation
##J_{n-1}(x) + J_{n+1}(x)=\frac{2n}{x}J_{n}(x))##
from the generating function. The same question was asked in this page with solution.
http://www.edaboard.com/thread47250.html
My problem is the part with comparing the coefficient. I don't understand how to compare them. They all have different powers. All pages that i visited have the same solution. Just said "compare the coefficient." They don't explain it.
Do you have a homepage that contains a detailed solution?

If you have two power series in ##t## that are supposed to be equal for all ##t##, then for each ##n## the coefficients of ##t^n## must be the same on both sides. So, look at the terms in ##t^0## on both sides; what will that give you? Then look at the terms in ##t^1## on both sides, and see what you get. Now try to extract the terms in ##t^n## on both sides.

Note that if you have something like ##\sum_n a_n t^n + \sum b_n t^{n-1} + \sum_n c_n t^{n+1}## then the terms in ## t^n## are ##(a_n + b_{n+1} + c_{n-1}) t^n##. Do you see why?
 
fresh_42 said:
If two polynomials ##x^2+2x+3## and ##a_3x^3+a_2x^2+a_1x+a_0## are equal, what can you say about the ##a_i##?
I think i got it.
Also
##a_0=3##
##a_1=2##
##a_2=1##
##a_3=0##
Ray Vickson said:
If you have two power series in ##t## that are supposed to be equal for all ##t##, then for each ##n## the coefficients of ##t^n## must be the same on both sides. So, look at the terms in ##t^0## on both sides; what will that give you? Then look at the terms in ##t^1## on both sides, and see what you get. Now try to extract the terms in ##t^n## on both sides.

Note that if you have something like ##\sum_n a_n t^n + \sum b_n t^{n-1} + \sum_n c_n t^{n+1}## then the terms in ## t^n## are ##(a_n + b_{n+1} + c_{n-1}) t^n##. Do you see why?

Sorry but i never had to use this method. I don't know why i can change the index "n". Is it because of the summation?
 
Pual Black said:
I think i got it.
Also
##a_0=3##
##a_1=2##
##a_2=1##
##a_3=0##

Sorry but i never had to use this method. I don't know why i can change the index "n". Is it because of the summation?

For the summation I presented, write out ALL the terms for n = 1, 2 and 3; there are 9 of them. Now pick out all the terms in ##t^2##.
 
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Ray Vickson said:
For the summation I presented, write out ALL the terms for n = 1, 2 and 3; there are 9 of them. Now pick out all the terms in ##t^2##.

Thank you. I understand it now.

I got this
##(a_1t^1+a_2t^2+a_3t^3+b_1t^0+ b_2t^1+b3t^2+c_1t^2+c_2t^3+c_3t^4##.
The terms for ##t^2## are
##a_2+b_3+c_1##
Which is the same as

##(a_n + b_{n+1} + c_{n-1}) t^n##.
 

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