Exercise from basic Fourier Analysis

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around an exercise from a basic Fourier analysis course, consisting of two parts. The first part involves demonstrating a limit related to a series of cosine functions, while the second part requires showing a relationship involving the cotangent function and a series of sine functions. Participants are seeking assistance in solving these problems and clarifying concepts related to Cesáro summation.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty in applying the geometric series formula to the series in question, specifically regarding the finite sums involved in part (i).
  • Another participant suggests that the first step in part (i) is to convert the expression for s_n into a simpler form using the geometric series formula.
  • A participant mentions that the average of the sequence converging to a limit is what is meant by "in the Cesáro sense."
  • There is a discussion about using complex exponentials to express sine and cosine functions, with one participant proposing this approach for part (ii).
  • Some participants clarify the relationship between sine and cosine in terms of complex exponentials, suggesting that this could help in solving part (ii).
  • One participant questions the validity of a mathematical statement regarding the sum of a geometric series and its limit as n approaches infinity.
  • A later reply attempts to derive the expression for s_n using complex exponentials but expresses uncertainty about how to show the limit converges to zero.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express uncertainty and seek clarification on various steps involved in solving both parts of the exercise. No consensus is reached on the best approach to take for part (ii), and multiple viewpoints on the application of geometric series and Cesáro summation are presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants note limitations in their understanding of applying the geometric series formula to finite sums and the implications of Cesáro summation. There are unresolved mathematical steps in deriving the necessary limits and expressions.

broegger
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I really need help with this exercise (it's from a course in basic Fourier analysis). It consists of two parts:

(i) Let [tex]s_0 = 1/2[/tex] and [tex]s_n = 1/2 + \sum_{j=1}^{n}\cos(jx)[/tex] for [tex]n \geq 1[/tex]. By writing [tex]s_n = \left(\sum_{j=-n}^{n}e^{ijx}\right)/2[/tex] and summing geometric series show that [tex](n+1)^{-1}\sum_{j=0}^{n}s_j \rightarrow 0[/tex] as [tex]n \rightarrow \infty[/tex] for all [tex]x \neq 0~mod~2\pi[/tex], and so

[tex]0 = 1/2 + \sum_{j=1}^{\infty}\cos(jx)[/tex] in the Cesáro sense.

(ii) Show similarly that, if [tex]x \neq 0~mod~2\pi[/tex], then

[tex]cot(x/2) = 2\sum_{j=1}^{\infty}\sin(jx)[/tex] in the Cesáro sense.

In (i) I have tried to write out two geometric series and summing them, but I can't get the desired result. I have no idea on (ii).

"in the Cesáro sense" means (i think) that the average of a given sequence [tex]s_0,s_1,s_2,\ldots[/tex] converges against a given limit L (the sequence itself doesn't nescessarily) - that is, the sequence [tex]s_0, (s_0 + s_1)/2, (s_0 + s_1 + s_2)/3,\ldots \rightarrow L[/tex].
 
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broegger said:
I really need help with this exercise (it's from a course in basic Fourier analysis). It consists of two parts:

(i) Let [tex]s_0 = 1/2[/tex] and [tex]s_n = 1/2 + \sum_{j=1}^{n}\cos(jx)[/tex] for [tex]n \geq 1[/tex]. By writing [tex]s_n = \left(\sum_{j=-n}^{n}e^{ijx}\right)/2[/tex] and summing geometric series show that [tex](n+1)^{-1}\sum_{j=0}^{n}s_j \rightarrow 0[/tex] as [tex]n \rightarrow \infty[/tex] for all [tex]x \neq 0~mod~2\pi[/tex], and so

[tex]0 = 1/2 + \sum_{j=1}^{\infty}\cos(jx)[/tex] in the Cesáro sense.

(ii) Show similarly that, if [tex]x \neq 0~mod~2\pi[/tex], then

[tex]cot(x/2) = 2\sum_{j=1}^{\infty}\sin(jx)[/tex] in the Cesáro sense.

In (i) I have tried to write out two geometric series and summing them, but I can't get the desired result. I have no idea on (ii).

"in the Cesáro sense" means (i think) that the average of a given sequence [tex]s_0,s_1,s_2,\ldots[/tex] converges against a given limit L (the sequence itself doesn't nescessarily) - that is, the sequence [tex]s_0, (s_0 + s_1)/2, (s_0 + s_1 + s_2)/3,\ldots \rightarrow L[/tex]
Is this how you meant it?
(Use "tex" not "Tex")
 
For part i, I would say one should first convert [tex]s_n = \left(\sum_{j=-n}^{n}e^{ijx}\right)/2[/tex] into simpler form using the sum of geometric series formula. Then one should have no difficulty in finding [tex]\sum_{n} s_{n}[/tex]. Moreover one should note that for all integer m, [tex]|e^{imx}|=1[/tex] for all real x.
 
Thanks for answering.. I have shown that [tex](n+1)^{-1} \sum_{j=0}^{n} s_n \rightarrow 0[/tex] as [tex]n \rightarrow \infty[/tex], but I can't see exactly how that relates to solving (i)...
 
broegger said:
...but I can't see exactly how that relates to solving (i)...

Did you mean (ii)?
 
yes, I'm sorry, part (ii).. I have no idea on that one (i assume cot(x) = cos(x)/sin(x))
 
hi broegger.

I did not do part (ii), but I think all they want you to realize that [tex]sinx = \frac {1}{2i} (e^{ix}-e^{-ix})[/tex]. Using this formula, find [tex]\sum_{j=0}^{n} sin(jx)[/tex]. Then all the steps are similar to what you did in part i), I think. Of course one should always remember [tex]cosx = \frac{1}{2} (e^{ix}+e^{-ix})[/tex] and [tex]sinx = \frac {1}{2i} (e^{ix}-e^{-ix})[/tex]. Using these, one may find an expression for cot(x/2) in "complex" exponential.

I did not do it, but I think that may be the way to do it.
 
Last edited:
Hi. Thank you very much for taking the time to help me.

I'll try the method you advised for part (ii).. about part (i) I'm not sure my reasoning are correct; how can you apply the geometric series formula when the series in question are not infinite - ex. [tex]\sum_{j=-4}^{4}e^{ijx} = 1/2 + \sum_{j=1}^{4}\cos(jx)[/tex]. I don't know if you see what I mean (maybe I'm getting this all wrong).
 
broegger, do you know that 1+r+r^2+...r^n = (1-r^(n+1))/(1-r)?
 
  • #10
Erm.. How can that be true?? In the limit [tex]n = \infty[/tex] the sum you are mentioning is equal to 1/(1-r).

I'm really troubled by this :\
 
  • #11
Let S(r) = 1+r..+r^n, then
r*S(r) = r+r^2+...+r^(n+1)
(1-r)*S(r) = 1-r^(n+1)
S(r) = (1-r^(n+1))/(1-r)

Yes, the limit of the expression as n tends to infinity tends to 1/(1-r), *if*|r|<1.
 
  • #12
Three years old, but now I'm trying to solve the problem ((i)).

I suppose

[tex]2s_n = \sum_{j=-n}^{n}e^{ijx} = \frac{1-e^{(i x)(n+1)}}{1-e^{i x}}+\frac{1-e^{(-i x)(n+1)}}{1-e^{-i x}}-1[/tex]

so I have to show (?) that

[tex]\lim_{p\rightarrow\infty}\frac{1}{p+1}\sum_{n=0}^{p}s_n=\lim_{p\rightarrow\infty} \frac{1}{p+1}\sum_{n=0}^{p}\left(\frac{1-e^{(i x)(n+1)}}{1-e^{i x}}+\frac{1-e^{(-i x)(n+1)}}{1-e^{-i x}}-1\right)/2=0.[/tex]

Apparently one should have no difficulty in showing that, but I do.
 
Last edited:

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