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lynx1245
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Homework Statement
The voltage across a resistor is given by:
[tex]
v(t) = 5 + 3 \cos{(t + 10^o)} + \cos{(2 t + 30^o)} V
[/tex]
Find the RMS value of the voltage
Homework Equations
For a periodic function, [tex]f(t)[/tex], the rms value is given by:
[tex]
f_{rms} (t) = \sqrt{\frac{1}{T} \int_{0}^{T} f(t)^2 dt}
[/tex]
Where T is the period.
The Attempt at a Solution
I know that the solution is given by:
[tex]
v_{rms} (t) = \sqrt{5^2 + (\frac{3}{\sqrt{2}})^2 + (\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}})^2} V
[/tex]
It seems that you take the sum of the squares of the respective RMS value of each piece of the original voltage. I can't figure out why you do this though. I don't think applying the equation given will easily give you this answer. It's hard to even find a period to integrate over from the original voltage equation. Any insight into why the sum of squares works would be helpful.
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