Confusing Step - Euler's Formula?

  • Thread starter Thread starter BustedBreaks
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Confusing Formula
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on a step in applying Euler's formula to a mathematical problem involving an integral. The user initially questions the conversion from the exponential form to the cosine function, specifically regarding the sign in the argument. They clarify that the relationship e^{-i \pi k x} equals cos(-\pi k x) + i sin(-\pi k x) is valid, as cosine is an even function. The confusion is resolved by recognizing that cos(-u) equals cos(u). This highlights the importance of understanding Euler's formula in mathematical transformations.
BustedBreaks
Messages
62
Reaction score
0
I'm following the answer to a problem and I see this step which I am unsure about:F[k]=\frac{1}{2}\int^{1}_{-1}|x|e^{-\pi i k x}dx

F[k]=\frac{1}{2}\int^{1}_{-1}|x|cos(\pi k x)dx

For k equal to all integers. Shouldn't the conversion from the exponential be cos(-\pi k x)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Crap, wrong section
 
e^{-i \pi k x}~=~cos(- \pi k x) + i sin(- \pi k x)

cos(-u) = cos(u)
 
...Duh...

Thanks.
 
I picked up this problem from the Schaum's series book titled "College Mathematics" by Ayres/Schmidt. It is a solved problem in the book. But what surprised me was that the solution to this problem was given in one line without any explanation. I could, therefore, not understand how the given one-line solution was reached. The one-line solution in the book says: The equation is ##x \cos{\omega} +y \sin{\omega} - 5 = 0##, ##\omega## being the parameter. From my side, the only thing I could...
Back
Top