# Showing that the Bessel integral representation solves the Bessel function

Is there a simple way to show the following: $$\int_0^\pi \cos(x\sin(\theta)) \ d\theta$$ satisfies $$x^2y''+xy'+x^2y=0$$.

I know this is the integral representation of the Bessel function, I am wondering if there is a simple method to prove this, without making use that the integral is the integral representation of the Bessel function.

With $$y=\int_0^{\pi} \cos{(x\sin{\theta})} \, d\theta$$, $$y' = -\int_0^{\pi} \sin{\theta}\sin{(x\sin{\theta})} \, d\theta \\ y''= -\int_0^{\pi} \sin^2{\theta}\cos{(x\sin{\theta})} \, d\theta = - y + \int_0^{\pi} \cos^2{\theta} \cos{(x\sin{\theta})} \, d\theta .$$ Multiplying by $$x^2$$ and integrating by parts, we therefore have \begin{align} x^2(y''+y) &= \int_0^{\pi} (x\cos{\theta})^2 \cos{(x\sin{\theta})} \, d\theta \\ &= [ x\cos{\theta} \sin{(x\sin{\theta})} ]_0^{\pi} + \int_0^{\pi} x \sin{\theta} \sin{(x\sin{\theta})} \, d\theta \\ &= 0 - 0 - xy', \end{align} as required.
• When doing the integration by parts, isn't there a factor of $2$ in the second term because of the derivative of $\cos^2(\theta)$?? – babynewton Sep 17 '19 at 7:51
• No, I’m integrating $x\cos{\theta} \cos{(x\sin{\theta})}$, which leaves only $x\cos{\theta}$ to differentiate. – Chappers Sep 17 '19 at 10:42