MHB Fourier series damped driven oscillator ODE

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The discussion revolves around justifying the removal of summations in the Fourier series representation of a damped driven oscillator's ordinary differential equation (ODE). It is established that by combining the summations, one can equate coefficients from both sides, leading to the relationship -n^2ω^2C_n + 2βinωC_n + ω_0^2C_n = f_n for each n. The uniqueness of the Fourier expansion for reasonably well-behaved functions supports this conclusion. Additionally, there is a suggestion to multiply through by (1/2π) times the complex conjugate of e^{inωt}, leveraging Sturm-Liouville theory to simplify the integration process. The conversation emphasizes the mathematical rigor in handling Fourier series in the context of ODEs.
Dustinsfl
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$$
-\sum_{n = 0}^{\infty}n^2\omega^2C_ne^{in\omega t} + 2\beta\sum_{n = 0}^{\infty}in\omega C_ne^{in\omega t} + \omega_0^2\sum_{n = 0}^{\infty}C_ne^{in\omega t} = \sum_{n = 0}^{\infty}f_ne^{in\omega t}
$$
How can I justify removing the summations and solving for $C_n$?
$$
-n^2\omega^2C_ne^{in\omega t} + 2\beta in\omega C_ne^{in\omega t} + \omega_0^2C_ne^{in\omega t} = f_ne^{in\omega t}
$$
 
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dwsmith said:
$$
-\sum_{n = 0}^{\infty}n^2\omega^2C_ne^{in\omega t} + 2\beta\sum_{n = 0}^{\infty}in\omega C_ne^{in\omega t} + \omega_0^2\sum_{n = 0}^{\infty}C_ne^{in\omega t} = \sum_{n = 0}^{\infty}f_ne^{in\omega t}
$$
How can I justify removing the summations and solving for $C_n$?
$$
-n^2\omega^2C_ne^{in\omega t} + 2\beta in\omega C_ne^{in\omega t} + \omega_0^2C_ne^{in\omega t} = f_ne^{in\omega t}
$$
Combining the summations, you can write this as $$\sum_{n = 0}^{\infty}\bigl(-n^2\omega^2C_n + 2\beta in\omega C_n + \omega_0^2 C_n \bigr) e^{in\omega t} = \sum_{n = 0}^{\infty}f_ne^{in\omega t}.$$
Now use the fact that a (reasonably well-behaved) function has a unique Fourier expansion to conclude that the coefficients on each side must be the same, to conclude that $-n^2\omega^2C_n + 2\beta in\omega C_n + \omega_0^2 C_n = f_n$ for each $n.$
 
Opalg said:
Combining the summations, you can write this as $$\sum_{n = 0}^{\infty}\bigl(-n^2\omega^2C_n + 2\beta in\omega C_n + \omega_0^2 C_n \bigr) e^{in\omega t} = \sum_{n = 0}^{\infty}f_ne^{in\omega t}.$$
Now use the fact that a (reasonably well-behaved) function has a unique Fourier expansion to conclude that the coefficients on each side must be the same, to conclude that $-n^2\omega^2C_n + 2\beta in\omega C_n + \omega_0^2 C_n = f_n$ for each $n.$

Could I also just multiple through by $\frac{1}{2\pi}\overline{e^{in\omega t}}$, and by Sturm-Liouville, the summation integrates to 1?
 
Last edited:

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