Fourier Series - proving a sum

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ramdayal9
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Homework Statement


Let [itex]f(x)=x[/itex] on [itex][-\pi,\pi)[/itex] and peridically extended. Compute the Fourier series and hence show:

[itex]\sum_{n \geq 1,nodd} \frac{1}{n^2} = \frac{\pi^2}{8}[/itex] and [itex]\sum_{n \geq 1} \frac{1}{n^2} = \frac{\pi^2}{6}[/itex]

Homework Equations



Parseval's equality

The Attempt at a Solution


I computed the Fourier series to be [itex]-\sum_{n=1,nodd} \frac{4}{n^2 \pi} e^{inx}+\frac{\pi}{2}[/itex] (even terms [itex]\hat{f}(n)=0[/itex]) and proved the first sum (letting x=0).
How would I compute the second part? how do i get the whole sum from this? I tried to slipt the sum into even and odd parts, but i don't know how to compute the even sum when I don't have any terms for the even sum! thanks
 
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HallsofIvy said:
You can't. If, in fact, all terms with even indices are 0, then "[itex]\sum_{n\ge 1, n odd}[/itex]" and [itex]\sum_{n\ge 1}[/itex] must be the same!
Ok, so how would I use what I have to prove the second sum? That's assuming that Fourier series is right - I think it is, because the first sum works out. On a related note, how would I go about proving that [itex]\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \frac{1}{(2n+1)^4} = \frac{\pi^4}{96}[/itex]? I have started by saying that this is equivalent to the sum [itex]\sum_{n \geq 1, n odd} \frac{1}{n^4}[/itex]. I use a similar method as before and consider the function [itex]f(x) = |x^3|[/itex] on [itex][-\pi, \pi)[/itex] but I don't seem to get the sum I require in the end...I get the sum of even numbers instead!
Thanks
 
ramdayal9 said:

Homework Statement


Let [itex]f(x)=x[/itex] on [itex][-\pi,\pi)[/itex] and peridically extended. Compute the Fourier series and hence show:

[itex]\sum_{n \geq 1,nodd} \frac{1}{n^2} = \frac{\pi^2}{8}[/itex] and [itex]\sum_{n \geq 1} \frac{1}{n^2} = \frac{\pi^2}{6}[/itex]


Homework Equations



Parseval's equality

The Attempt at a Solution


I computed the Fourier series to be [itex]-\sum_{n=1,nodd} \frac{4}{n^2 \pi} e^{inx}+\frac{\pi}{2}[/itex] (even terms [itex]\hat{f}(n)=0[/itex]) and proved the first sum (letting x=0).
How would I compute the second part? how do i get the whole sum from this? I tried to slipt the sum into even and odd parts, but i don't know how to compute the even sum when I don't have any terms for the even sum! thanks
I don't get the same Fourier series for f(x)=x that you do.