Deriving Fourier Series for a Regular Sawtooth Wave

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The discussion focuses on deriving the Fourier series for a regular sawtooth wave, specifically addressing the function defined piecewise. The correct Fourier series representation is identified as f(x)=∑(n=1 to ∞) (sin(nx)/n), with clarification that the function is odd, leading to zero cosine coefficients. The integration for the sine coefficients a_n is confirmed to be a combination of integrals from -π to 0 and 0 to π, both yielding equal results due to the odd nature of the functions involved. It is noted that the zeroth coefficient a_0 is always zero for sine functions, as sin(0) equals zero. The conversation concludes with affirmation that the integration approach is valid and straightforward.
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I can derive the Fourier series for a regular
sawtooth wave.

A different kind of sawtooth is represented by:

f(x)=\left\{\begin{array}{cc}-\frac{1}{2}(\pi +x),&amp;\mbox{ if }<br /> =-\pi \leq x &lt; 0\\+\frac{1}{2}(\pi -x),&amp; \mbox{ if } 0 &lt; x \leq \pi\end{array}\right.

For the life of me I can't figure out how
to derive the series for this, which is:

f(x)=\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} sin (nx/n)
 
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Probably a typo, but:
f(x)=\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{\sin(nx)}{n}

It's obtained the usual way. The function is odd, so all the cosine coefficients are zero.
Now just get:

a_n=\frac{1}{\pi}\int_{-\pi}^{\pi}f(x)\sin(nx)dx

where a_n is the coefficient of sin(nx)
 
Yes, you're right -- there was a typo.

Does the integration breaks down
into

a_n=\frac{1}{\pi}\int_{0}^{\pi}f(x)\sin(nx)dx + \frac{1}{\pi}\int_{-\pi}^{0}f(x)\sin(nx)dx \text { ??}

Also, does an a_0 term need to be
determined? I'm not sure when,
or when not, to include an a_n.

Thanks a lot.

Galileo said:
Probably a typo, but:
f(x)=\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{\sin(nx)}{n}

It's obtained the usual way. The function is odd, so all the cosine coefficients are zero.
Now just get:

a_n=\frac{1}{\pi}\int_{-\pi}^{\pi}f(x)\sin(nx)dx

where a_n is the coefficient of sin(nx)
 
cj said:
Also, does an a_0 term need to be
determined? I'm not sure when,
or when not, to include an a_n.
No. There's an easy way to remember/see it. If n=0, then sin(nx)=0.
So the zeroth coeff. of the sine is always zero.
For the cosine: cos(nx)=1 if n=0.

cj said:
a_n=\frac{1}{\pi}\int_{0}^{\pi}f(x)\sin(nx)dx + \frac{1}{\pi}\int_{-\pi}^{0}f(x)\sin(nx)dx \text { ??}
That's correct, so that's all there's to it.
Both integrals are equal though, since f(x) and sin(nx) are odd, f(x)sin(nx) is even.
 
So I know that electrons are fundamental, there's no 'material' that makes them up, it's like talking about a colour itself rather than a car or a flower. Now protons and neutrons and quarks and whatever other stuff is there fundamentally, I want someone to kind of teach me these, I have a lot of questions that books might not give the answer in the way I understand. Thanks

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