Difficult integrals (important für Fourier series)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around integrals related to Fourier series, specifically focusing on certain relations that need to be shown. The original poster expresses difficulty with parts b) and c) of the problem, indicating that part a) was manageable.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts integration by parts on part b) but encounters a term that includes the original integral, leading to confusion about why the result should be zero. Participants suggest using trigonometric identities and evaluate the implications of m and n being integers on the cosine terms at specific bounds.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered guidance regarding the use of trigonometric identities, and there is recognition of the implications of integer values for m and n. The conversation indicates a productive exploration of the problem, with some clarity achieved for part b).

Contextual Notes

There is an acknowledgment of the original poster's uncertainty regarding the integration process and the specific relationships being examined. The discussion reflects a collaborative effort to clarify assumptions and reasoning without reaching a final conclusion.

keenPenguin
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Hello,

I couldn't figure out the following problem so far.

Homework Statement



[tex]m,n \in \mathbb{N}[/tex]. Show the following relations:
fourierintegralsmtgi.png


Homework Equations



a) is no problem, but b) and c) seem tricky. I tried partial integration (two times) on b), which gave me a term which contained the original integral. So I sorted the term and got that:

[tex]\int_{0}^{2\pi}\sin\left(mx\right)\cos\left(nx\right)dx=\frac{1}{1+\frac{n^{2}}{m^{2}}}\left(\left[-\frac{\cos\left(mx\right)}{m}\cos\left(nx\right)\right]_{0}^{2\pi}+\frac{n}{m}\left[\frac{\sin\left(mx\right)}{m}\sin\left(nx\right)\right]_{0}^{2\pi}\right)[/tex]

But I can't see why this should be zero.

Any help appreciated!

kP
 
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Welcome to PF.

I think the trig identities for angle addition and subtraction would be useful here. I mean the ones that involve
sin(a+b), sin(a-b), cos(a+b), and cos(a-b)

EDIT:
I looked more carefully at what you did get. Okay, if m and n are integers, what can you say about cos(mx) and cos(nx) when they are evaluated at 0 vs. when they are evaluated at 2pi?
 
Last edited:
Thank you Redbelly,

you are right, I don't know why I missed that, n and m being integers, b) is quite obviously 0.

Concerning c): Yes, I also thought about those trig identities, but still couldn't figure it out. It's

cos(mx+nx)+sin(mx)sin(nx)=cos(mx)cos(nx), but trying to integrate the LHS, I get into even more trouble.
 
Try

cos(mx+nx) + cos(mx-nx) = ?
 
That's it, thanks a lot. Works fine! :-)

EDIT: BTW, if an admin reads that, please change the thread title from the German "für" to for ;-)
 

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