# Conceptual Problem with Convolution Theorem

Hi - I'm trying to work out the following convolution problem:

I have the following integral:
$$\int^{\infty}_{-\infty}p(x)U(x)e^{-i \omega x}dx$$

Where p(x) is any real function which is always positive and U(x) is the step function

Obviously this can easily be solved using the convolution theorem because I have
$$\mathcal{F}[p(x)U(x)] = P(\omega)*U(\omega)$$

The problem I having is with the very similar integral but the exponential is now positive:
$$\int^{\infty}_{-infty}p(x)U(x)e^{+i \omega x}dx$$

I don't know how to deal with this integral - even though I suspect I can use the convolution theorem on it.

I've tried to derive the convolution theorem for both exponentials but I get stuck at the stage:

$$\int^{\infty}_{-\infty} \int^{\infty}_{-\infty}P(\omega')U(\omega-\omega')d\omega'e^{-i\omega x}d\omega = p(x)u(x)$$

And:

$$\int^{\infty}_{-\infty} \int^{\infty}_{-\infty}P(\omega')U(\omega-\omega')d\omega'e^{+i\omega x}d\omega = p(x)u(x)$$

My problem is this:
If I define the $$\int^{\infty}_{-\infty} f(x) e^{-i\omega x}$$ integral as the Fourier Transform - then I can write the second equation as:
$$\mathcal{F}^{-1}[P(\omega)*U(\omega)] =p(x)u(x)$$
And thus applying the inverse Fourier operator to both sides I get:
$$[P(\omega)*U(\omega)] =\mathcal{F}[p(x)u(x)]$$

But If I set up this convention for my Fourier Transform how do I deal with the first equation:
$$\int^{\infty}_{-\infty} \int^{\infty}_{-\infty}P(\omega')U(\omega-\omega')d\omega'e^{-i\omega x}d\omega = p(x)u(x)$$

This isn't a Fourier Transform operation anymore - its slightly different. Is there anything I can do from here to show what:
$$\int^{\infty}_{-\infty} p(x)u(x)e^{i\omega x} dx$$

is in terms of convolutions ?

AlephZero
Homework Helper
Think about real and imaginary parts of the integral separately.

p(x) and U(x) are real functions.

$e^{i\omega x} = \cos \omega x + i \sin \omega x$

$e^{-i\omega x} = \cos \omega x - i \sin \omega x$

That's all you need to answer the question.

Last edited:
Thanks AlpehZero - I guess it always helps to go back to the fundamental definitions ...