A Fourier series can indeed reduce to a constant when the original function is constant, resulting in a non-zero a0 and zero coefficients for an and bn. This situation occurs because the constant function does not vary with x, leading to no sine or cosine components. The constant value represents the average of the function over the interval. Therefore, the Fourier series simplifies to just the constant term a0. This highlights the relationship between the nature of the original function and its Fourier series representation.
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schattenjaeger
176
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say if you get a result for a0 but 0 for an and bn(using my book's notation where the Fourier series is a0+an*cos(nx)+bn*sin(nx)
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question)
Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?