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BESSELY Function
Summary
The BESSELY function calculates the Bessel function of the second kind, also known as Weber's or Neumann's function. This advanced mathematical function is essential for engineering calculations involving wave propagation, vibration analysis, and heat conduction problems.
Syntax
BESSELY(X, N)Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| X | Number |
Yes | The value at which to evaluate the Bessel function. Must be numeric and typically positive. |
| N | Number |
Yes | The order of the function. If non-integer, Excel truncates to the nearest integer downward. Must be non-negative. |
Using the BESSELY Function
BESSELY is used in scientific and engineering applications requiring solutions to Bessel's differential equation. Common use cases include modeling cylindrical coordinates in physics problems like heat transfer in pipes, vibration of circular membranes, and electromagnetic wave propagation.
Common BESSELY Examples
Basic BESSELY Calculation
=BESSELY(2.5, 1)Returns Weber's Bessel function Y1(2.5) ≈ 0.145918138, useful for vibration analysis.
Higher Order Bessel Function
=BESSELY(1.5, 2)Calculates second-order Bessel function of second kind at x=1.5.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Errors and Solutions
#VALUE!
Cause: X or N arguments are non-numeric
Solution: Ensure both arguments are valid numbers
#NUM!
Cause: N is negative
Solution: Use non-negative order value for N
#VALUE!
Cause: Text or blank cells passed as arguments
Solution: Verify input cells contain numeric values
Notes
- BESSELY computes Yn(x), the second solution to Bessel's differential equation
- Pairs with BESSELJ and BESSELI for complete Bessel function set
- Ideal for cylindrical coordinate problems in physics and engineering
- Results can be very large negative or positive depending on X and N values
Compatibility
Available in: Excel 2007, Excel 2010, Excel 2013, Excel 2016, Excel 2019, Excel 2021, Microsoft 365
Not available in: Excel 2003 and earlier
Content last reviewed: December 9, 2025
Update frequency: As needed
Excel versions tested: Excel 2007+