# Fourier transform of a gaussian

1. Oct 20, 2009

### sleventh

fourier transform of the gaussian (1/$$\sqrt{2 pi \sigma}$$) e ^ ($$^{x^2/2\sigma^2}$$)

now the fourier of a gaussian is said to equal another gaussian as shown by equation (4) here:
http://mathworld.wolfram.com/FourierTransform.html

but when i also did it using equation (1) here:
http://mathworld.wolfram.com/FourierTransform.html

i find a completely different answer.

im wondering how i am doing the calculations wrong using the normal definition of fourier transforms.

fourier transforms are very new to me so any help is much appreciated thank you.

2. Oct 21, 2009

### lanedance

you'll have more chance if you show you working, its pretty hard to guess what you're doing wrong

3. Oct 21, 2009

### sleventh

setting a=1/2 $$\sigma$$ ^2 and k=1/2$$\sqrt{2 pi sigma}$$ i use the concept the fourier of a gaussian equals another gaussian and am given
$$\sqrt{2 sigma ^2 pi}$$ e^((-2pi^2 $$\sigma$$^2 / $$\sqrt{2 pi sigma}$$

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