Differentiating a fourier series

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the rules and conditions for differentiating a Fourier series, specifically focusing on a given Fourier sine series. Participants explore whether it is valid to differentiate the series term by term and what conditions must be satisfied for such differentiation to hold.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asks about the rules for differentiating a Fourier series and whether it can be done term-wise, seeking conditions that must be met.
  • Another participant suggests that for a Fourier sine series, the function must be piecewise smooth, piecewise continuous, and satisfy \(f(0) = f(\pi)\), claiming all conditions are met.
  • There is a reference to external resources for criteria regarding the differentiation of Fourier series.
  • A participant expresses confusion about the derivative being zero at \(\theta = 0\) while the series evaluates to \(4/\pi\) at that point, questioning the validity of the differentiation.
  • It is noted that the function \(f\) is not continuous at \(x=0\), which leads to the conclusion that the derivative series converges only in certain intervals.
  • Another participant corrects a previous statement, indicating that continuity on the interval \([0,\pi]\) is required for term-by-term differentiation, which is not satisfied by \(f\).
  • There is a discussion about the convergence of the Fourier series at \(\theta = 0\) and whether a derivative series exists at that point, with claims that the series does not converge at \(\theta = 0\).
  • One participant suggests that the term "derivative series" might refer to a specific series that diverges at \(\theta = 0\).

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the conditions necessary for differentiating the Fourier series. There is no consensus on whether the series can be differentiated term by term, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the convergence of the derivative series at specific points.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the importance of continuity and piecewise conditions for the differentiation of Fourier series, but these conditions are not universally agreed upon in this discussion. The implications of continuity at endpoints and the behavior of the series at specific values of \(\theta\) are also points of contention.

Dustinsfl
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What are rules for differentiating a Fourier series?

For example, given
$$
f = \frac{4}{\pi}\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{\sin(2n-1)\theta}{2n-1} = \begin{cases} 1, & 0 < \theta < \pi\\
0, & \theta = 0, \pm\pi\\
-1, & -\pi < \theta < 0
\end{cases}
$$

Can this be differentiating term wise? If so, what conditions must be met?
 
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In order to differentiate a Fourier sine series,

$f(\theta)$ is piecewise smooth on $[0,\pi]$$f(\theta)$ is piecewise continuous on $[0,\pi]$.$f(0) = f(\pi)$

All three are met.

$$
\frac{4}{\pi}\sum_{n = 1}^{\infty}\cos(2n-1)\theta
$$

Is this right?
 
dwsmith said:
What are rules for differentiating a Fourier series?

For example, given
$$
f = \frac{4}{\pi}\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{\sin(2n-1)\theta}{2n-1} = \begin{cases} 1, & 0 < \theta < \pi\\
0, & \theta = 0, \pm\pi\\
-1, & -\pi < \theta < 0
\end{cases}
$$

Can this be differentiating term wise? If so, what conditions must be met?

Hi dwsmith, :)

Refer the following links to find the criteria that must be met in order for the derivative/integral of a Fourier series to be equal to the derivative/integral of the associated function.

http://www.aerostudents.com/files/partialDifferentialEquations/fourierSeries.pdf

Pauls Online Notes : Differential Equations - Convergence of Fourier Series

Kind Regards,
Sudharaka.
 
Sudharaka said:
Hi dwsmith, :)

Refer the following links to find the criteria that must be met in order for the derivative/integral of a Fourier series to be equal to the derivative/integral of the associated function.

http://www.aerostudents.com/files/partialDifferentialEquations/fourierSeries.pdf

Pauls Online Notes : Differential Equations - Convergence of Fourier Series

Kind Regards,
Sudharaka.

I did. The derivative should be 0 but when theta is 0 the series is 4/Pi. What is wrong?

And I am lost on this part too.

Does the Fourier series in part (b) converge for any value of $\theta$ other than $\theta = \pm\frac{\pi}{2}$?
$$
f'(\theta) = \frac{4}{\pi}\sum_{n = 1}^{\infty}\cos(2n - 1)\theta = \frac{2}{\pi}\text{Re}\left(\exp\left[i(2n - 1)\theta\right]\right)
$$
 
dwsmith said:
I did. The derivative should be 0 but when theta is 0 the series is 4/Pi. What is wrong?

And I am lost on this part too.

Does the Fourier series in part (b) converge for any value of $\theta$ other than $\theta = \pm\frac{\pi}{2}$?
$$
f'(\theta) = \frac{4}{\pi}\sum_{n = 1}^{\infty}\cos(2n - 1)\theta = \frac{2}{\pi}\text{Re}\left(\exp\left[i(2n - 1)\theta\right]\right)
$$

The function \(f\) is not continuous at \(x=0\). Therefore the derivative series converges to \(f'\) only in the intervals, \((-\pi,0)\mbox{ and }(0,\pi)\).

What do you mean by "part (b)" ?
 
Last edited:
Sudharaka said:
The function \(f\) is not continuous at \(x=0\). Therefore the derivative series is only valid in the intervals, \((-\pi,0)\mbox{ and }(0,\pi)\).

What do you mean by "part (b)" ?

Part b is the derivative series.
 
dwsmith said:
In order to differentiate a Fourier sine series,

$f(\theta)$ is piecewise smooth on $[0,\pi]$$f(\theta)$ is piecewise continuous on $[0,\pi]$.$f(0) = f(\pi)$

All three are met.

$$
\frac{4}{\pi}\sum_{n = 1}^{\infty}\cos(2n-1)\theta
$$

Is this right?

Sorry for the confusion, but I think I had overlooked something here. Note that the second condition should read, "$f(\theta)$ is continuous on $[0,\pi]$". Refer http://www.aerostudents.com/files/partialDifferentialEquations/fourierSeries.pdf. This is not satisfied by \(f\) and hence it is not differentiable term by term.

Kind Regards,
Sudharaka.
 
Sudharaka said:
Sorry for the confusion, but I think I had overlooked something here. Note that the second condition should read, "$f(\theta)$ is continuous on $[0,\pi]$". Refer http://www.aerostudents.com/files/partialDifferentialEquations/fourierSeries.pdf. This is not satisfied by \(f\) and hence it is not differentiable term by term.

Kind Regards,
Sudharaka.

Since there is no Fourier series, it doesn't converge for theta = 0?
 
dwsmith said:
Since there is no Fourier series, it doesn't converge for theta = 0?

The Fourier series of \(f\) is,

\[f(\theta) = \frac{4}{\pi}\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{\sin(2n-1)\theta}{2n-1} = \begin{cases} 1, & 0 < \theta < \pi\\
0, & \theta = 0, \pm\pi\\
-1, & -\pi < \theta < 0
\end{cases}\]

You cannot differentiate this series term by term to obtain the Fourier series of \(f'\) since the function \(f\) is not right/left continuous at the endpoints of \([-\pi,\pi]\). Does this clarify things for you?
 
  • #10
Sudharaka said:
The Fourier series of \(f\) is,

\[f(\theta) = \frac{4}{\pi}\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{\sin(2n-1)\theta}{2n-1} = \begin{cases} 1, & 0 < \theta < \pi\\
0, & \theta = 0, \pm\pi\\
-1, & -\pi < \theta < 0
\end{cases}\]

You cannot differentiate this series term by term to obtain the Fourier series of \(f'\) since the function \(f\) is not right/left continuous at the endpoints of \([-\pi,\pi]\). Does this clarify things for you?

No. The question ask if the derivative series converges when theta is 0. Since there is no derivative series, the series doesn't converge when theta is zero, correct?
 
  • #11
dwsmith said:
No. The question ask if the derivative series converges when theta is 0. Since there is no derivative series, the series doesn't converge when theta is zero, correct?

It is possible that in the question the term "derivative series" means the series,

\[\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\cos(2n-1)\theta\]

This series diverges at \(\theta=0\).
 

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