Fourier Series of f(x) for a, b, and c Cases

In summary, the different Fourier Series for f depending on whether it is even or odd and 2 periodic is that for even f the Fourier series will have cosine terms only while for odd f the Fourier series will have sine terms only.
  • #1
BustedBreaks
65
0
Let [tex]f(x):= x[/tex] when 0<x<1. Find the Fourier series for f if:
a) f is 1 periodic
b) f is even and 2 periodic
c) f is odd and 2 periodic.


I am very lost and behind. I'm reading through my notes and book and hopefully will be able to to this soon, but can anyone give me a hint or just explain how the differences between a, b, and c?

I get a, that is f(x) = x from 0 to 1, and that graph repeats for every interval of one because it is 1-periodic.

I don't get how f can be even and 2 periodic and also be = x on 0 to 1

or odd and 2 periodic an be = to x on 0 to 1...
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
You are given f(x) = x on (0,1). If f is to have period 2 you need its definition on an interval of length 2. So what might you want it to be on (-1,0)? Do you see what you might want it to be on (-1,0) if you wanted the function to be odd on (-1,1)? Or if you wanted it to be even on (-1,1)? Do you know what the graph must look like on (-1,1) if it has to agree with x on (0,1) and be odd? even?

These are different functions on (-1,1) that happen to agree on (0,1). And if you write their Fourier Series, one of them will have only cosine terms and one only sine terms.
 
  • #3
LCKurtz said:
You are given f(x) = x on (0,1). If f is to have period 2 you need its definition on an interval of length 2. So what might you want it to be on (-1,0)? Do you see what you might want it to be on (-1,0) if you wanted the function to be odd on (-1,1)? Or if you wanted it to be even on (-1,1)? Do you know what the graph must look like on (-1,1) if it has to agree with x on (0,1) and be odd? even?

These are different functions on (-1,1) that happen to agree on (0,1). And if you write their Fourier Series, one of them will have only cosine terms and one only sine terms.

I am having trouble understanding this.

If it is even and 2-periodic are you saying that it would be basically the graph of |x| on (-1,1)?

for odd just the graph of x on (-1,1)?

What confuses me if this is right is that it says in the question that the interval is (0,1)

Also can you confirm that for a) it would be just the function x from (0,1) repeated for ever interval of 1 before and after that?
 
Last edited:
  • #4
Yes, that is exactly what I am saying. If you plot your 1p periodic function and these two 2p periodic function for a couple of periods, you will see that they are three different periodic functions that all happen to agree on (0,1). They will have different Fourier series, but they will all sum to x on (0,1).
 
  • #5
And I should have added, since you have to actually find the series, that in the last two cases you have special "half range" formulas for the an and bn. They are each half the work because half the coefficients are zero compared to the 1p function, which is neither even nor odd.
 

What is a Fourier Series?

A Fourier Series is a way to represent a periodic function as a sum of sine and cosine functions. It is used to analyze and approximate functions in fields such as mathematics, physics, and engineering.

How is a Fourier Series calculated?

A Fourier Series is calculated by finding the coefficients for the sine and cosine functions that make up the series. These coefficients are found using a process called Fourier Analysis, which involves integrating the function over one period.

What are the a, b, and c cases in a Fourier Series?

The a, b, and c cases refer to the different types of Fourier Series that can be calculated depending on the type of function. The a case is for functions that are even, the b case is for functions that are odd, and the c case is for functions that are neither even nor odd.

What is the period of a Fourier Series?

The period of a Fourier Series is the length of one full cycle of the function being represented. This is important because it determines the range of values that the coefficients can take on.

Can a Fourier Series accurately represent any function?

No, a Fourier Series can only accurately represent functions that are periodic. If a function is not periodic, then its Fourier Series will not converge to the original function.

Similar threads

  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
283
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
6
Views
914
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
965
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
6
Views
234
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
354
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
6
Views
388
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
362
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
214
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
613
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
414
Back
Top