What is the Correct Fourier Series for e^x?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the Fourier series for the function f(x) = e^x over the interval [-π, π). Participants are examining the coefficients a_n and b_n, and comparing their results with a provided solution from their professor.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are analyzing the derivation of Fourier coefficients and questioning the signs in the series. Some are attempting to identify potential mistakes in the integration steps and the resulting series.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing examination of the differences between the original poster's series and the professor's series. Some participants have pointed out specific discrepancies in the signs of terms, while others are questioning the correctness of the integrals used in the calculations. Guidance has been offered regarding potential errors in the integration process.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that there are skipped steps in the original poster's calculations, which complicates the verification of the results. Additionally, there is a mention of a related question involving a series summation that appears to yield different results, indicating a potential misunderstanding or miscalculation.

twoflower
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Hi all,

I've been having little problems getting Fourier series of [itex]e^x[/itex].

I have given

[tex] f(x) = e^{x}, x \in [-\pi, \pi)[/tex]

Then

[tex] a_0 = \frac{1}{\pi}\int_{-\pi}^{\pi} e^{x}\ dx = \frac{2\sinh \pi}{\pi}[/tex]

[tex] a_{n} = \frac{1}{\pi}\int_{-\pi}^{\pi} e^{x}\cos (nx)\ dx = <br /> <br /> \frac{1}{\pi}\left\{\left[ \frac{1}{n}\ e^{x} \sin (nx)\right]_{-\pi}^{\pi} - <br /> <br /> \frac{1}{n}\int_{-\pi}^{\pi} e^{x}\sin (nx)\ dx\right\} = <br /> <br /> \frac{(-1)^{n+1}\left(e^{-\pi} - e^{\pi}\right)}{\pi(1+n^2)}[/tex]

[tex] b_{n} = \frac{1}{\pi}\int_{-\pi}^{\pi}e^{x}\sin (nx)\ dx = \frac{1}{\pi}\left\{ <br /> <br /> \left[ -\frac{1}{n}\ e^{x}\cos (nx)\right]_{-\pi}^{\pi} + <br /> <br /> \frac{1}{n}\int_{-\pi}^{\pi} e^{x}\cos(nx)\ dx\right\} = <br /> <br /> \frac{n(-1)^{n}\left(e^{-\pi} - e^{\pi}\right)}{\pi(1+n^2)}[/tex]

So the Fourier series looks like this:

[tex] S(f,x) = \frac{\sinh \pi}{\pi}\ +\ \frac{2\sinh \pi}{\pi}\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} <br /> <br /> \frac{(-1)^{n+1}}{1+n^2}\left(\cos(nx) - n\sin(nx))[/tex]

Anyway, our professor gave us another right (I hope so) result:

[tex] S(f,x) = \frac{\sinh \pi}{\pi}\ +\ \frac{2\sinh \pi}{\pi}\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} <br /> <br /> \frac{(-1)^{n}}{1+n^2}\left(\cos(nx) - n\sin(nx))[/tex]

Obviously my series is just of opposite sign than it should be, but I can't find
the mistake, could you help me please?
 
Last edited:
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twoflower,

Am I missing something? The two solutions look the same to me!
 
jdavel, twoflower's solution has (-1)^(n + 1) inside the sum, while the professor's solution has (-1)^n.
 
Last edited:
Muzza said:
jdavel, twoflower's solution has (-1)^(n + 1) inside the sum, while the professor's solution has (-1)^n.

Muzza,

Doh!
 
You must have made a mistake in the integrals. It's hard to tell because you've skipped 3 or 4 steps in your post, but it looks like at least your bottom integral is wrong (wrong sign) for the case where n is odd (the only case I felt like doing in my head).
 
as far as i can tell, when you have taken (e^-pi - e^pi) out from the summation you have left it as sinh(pi) whereas it should be -sinh(pi), this should then match with the professors solution.
I have a similar question, using this series i must show that [tex]\sum1/(1 + n^2)[/tex] = 1/2(picoth(pi) -1), however when i calculate it to be 1/2(picoth(pi) + pi - 1), can anyone help?
 
Why is integration of e^x=2sinh (pie)/pie ?
i am not able to understand this concept can some body enlighten this for me !
 
Sinh(x)= 1/2 [e^x - e^(-x)]
 

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