Calculating Fourier Coefficients for $f(\theta) = \theta^2$ on $[-\pi, \pi]$

  • Context: MHB 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Dustinsfl
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Coefficient Fourier
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating Fourier coefficients for the function \( f(\theta) = \theta^2 \) over the interval \([-π, π]\). The coefficient \( a_0 \) is correctly calculated as \( \frac{2\pi^2}{3} \). The coefficients \( a_n \) were initially misinterpreted as zero due to a misunderstanding of sine functions, but the correct formulation reveals that \( a_n = \frac{2}{n^2}(-1)^n \) for even \( n \) and \( a_n = \frac{-2}{n^2} \) for odd \( n \). The final solution is confirmed to be \( \frac{\pi^2}{3} + 2\sum_{n = 1}^{\infty}\left[\frac{(-1)^n}{n}\cos n\theta\right] \), with a correction noted regarding the coefficient of 2.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Fourier series and coefficients
  • Knowledge of integration techniques, specifically integration by parts
  • Familiarity with trigonometric identities and properties
  • Basic calculus, including limits and continuity
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of Fourier series for even and odd functions
  • Learn about the convergence of Fourier series
  • Explore applications of Fourier series in signal processing
  • Investigate the impact of different boundary conditions on Fourier coefficients
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, physics students, and engineers interested in Fourier analysis, particularly those working with periodic functions and signal processing techniques.

Dustinsfl
Messages
2,217
Reaction score
5
We have $f(\theta) = \theta^2$ for $-\pi < \theta\leq \pi$.

$$
a_0 = \frac{1}{\pi}\int_{-\pi}^{\pi}\theta^2 d\theta = \frac{2\pi^2}{3}
$$

$$
a_n = \frac{1}{\pi}\left[\left.\frac{\theta^2}{n}\sin n\theta\right|_{-\pi}^{\pi}-\frac{1}{n}\left[\left.\frac{-\theta}{n}\cos n\theta\right|_{-\pi}^{\pi}+\int_{-\pi}^{\pi}\cos n\theta d\theta\right]\right] = \frac{2}{n\pi}\left[\pi^2\sin n\pi - \frac{1}{n}\sin n\pi\right]
$$

However, since I have only sine, all the coefficients would be zero. Is that correct?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
dwsmith said:
We have $f(\theta) = \theta^2$ for $-\pi < \theta\leq \pi$.

$$
a_0 = \frac{1}{\pi}\int_{-\pi}^{\pi}\theta^2 d\theta = \frac{2\pi^2}{3}
$$

$$
a_n = \frac{1}{\pi}\left[\left.\frac{\theta^2}{n}\sin n\theta\right|_{-\pi}^{\pi}-\frac{1}{n}\left[\left.\frac{-\theta}{n}\cos n\theta\right|_{-\pi}^{\pi}+\int_{-\pi}^{\pi}\cos n\theta d\theta\right]\right] = \frac{2}{n\pi}\left[\pi^2\sin n\pi - \frac{1}{n}\sin n\pi\right]
$$

However, since I have only sine, all the coefficients would be zero. Is that correct?

I should have this instead
$$\frac{1}{\pi}\left[\frac{2\pi^2}{n}\sin n\pi - \frac{1}{n}\left[\frac{-2\pi}{n}\cos n\pi - \frac{2}{n}\sin n\pi\right]\right]= \frac{2}{n^2}(-1)^n =
\begin{cases}
\frac{2}{n^2} & \text{if n even}\\
\frac{-2}{n^2} & \text{if n odd}
\end{cases}
$$

Correct?
 
dwsmith said:
We have $f(\theta) = \theta^2$ for $-\pi < \theta\leq \pi$.

$$
a_0 = \frac{1}{\pi}\int_{-\pi}^{\pi}\theta^2 d\theta = \frac{2\pi^2}{3}
$$

$$
a_n = \frac{1}{\pi}\left[\left.\frac{\theta^2}{n}\sin n\theta\right|_{-\pi}^{\pi}-\frac{1}{n}\left[\left.\frac{-\theta}{n}\color{red}{\cos n\theta}\right|_{-\pi}^{\pi}+\int_{-\pi}^{\pi}\cos n\theta d\theta\right]\right] = \frac{2}{n\pi}\left[\pi^2\sin n\pi - \frac{1}{n}\sin n\pi\right]
$$

However, since I have only sine, all the coefficients would be zero. Is that correct?
You don't "have only sine"!
 
Opalg said:
You don't "have only sine"!

I made the correction is post 2.
Is this the solution?
$$
\frac{\pi^2}{3} + 2\sum_{n = 1}^{\infty}\left[\frac{(-1)^n}{n}\cos n\theta\right].
$$
 
dwsmith said:
I made the correction is post 2. (I didn't see that when making my previous post.)
Is this the solution?
$$
\frac{\pi^2}{3} + 2\sum_{n = 1}^{\infty}\left[\frac{(-1)^n}{n}\cos n\theta\right].
$$
Correct except that I think that the 2 should be a 4. It looks as though you left out the 2 in the derivative of $\theta^2$, when doing the integration by parts.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K