# Fourier Transform Scaling Property help

1. Sep 23, 2013

### Uan

Hi,

I'm following the proof of the "Scaling Property of the Fourier Transform" from here:

http://www.thefouriertransform.com/transform/properties.php

...but don't understand how they went from the integral to the right hand term here:

The definition of the Fourier Trasform they use is this:

Thanks,
Uan

2. Sep 23, 2013

### vanhees71

I don't understand, where there is a problem, because it's simply the definition of the Fouier transform. The full calculation goes as follows. We start with the definition of the Fourier transform:
$$\mathcal{F}\{g(c t)\}=\int_{\mathbb{R}} \mathrm{d t} g(t) \exp[-2 \pi \mathrm{i} f t].$$
Now we substitute $u=c t$, which gives
$$\mathcal{F}\{g(c t)\}=\frac{1}{|c|} \int_{\mathbb{R}} \mathrm{d} t \exp[-2 \pi \mathrm{i} u (f/c)]=\frac{1}{|c|} G(f/c),$$
where
$$G(f)=\mathcal{F}\{g(t)\}(f).$$

3. Sep 23, 2013

### Uan

Hi vanhees71,

I get the substitution but I don't see how they went from the integral to the next bit. To me, the form of the integral doesn't quite match the definition in my first post, it has got g(u) but the exponential has exp(-i*2*pi*f*(u/c)), so this is where I get hung up...

Needs to be [STRIKE]either[/STRIKE] g(u/c) [STRIKE][or exp(-i*2*pi*f*u)^(1/c) ? ] (sorry forget this)[/STRIKE] or something to be able to apply the definition. Feels like I'm missing something simple.

One more thing, are you missing g(ct) from your first integral and g(u) on your second integral?

$$\mathcal{F}\{g(c t)\}=\int_{\mathbb{R}} \mathrm{d t} g(c t) \exp[-2 \pi \mathrm{i} f t].$$

$$\mathcal{F}\{g(c t)\}=\frac{1}{|c|} \int_{\mathbb{R}} \mathrm{d} t \ g(u) exp[-2 \pi \mathrm{i} u (f/c)]=\frac{1}{|c|} G(f/c),$$

Last edited: Sep 23, 2013
4. Sep 23, 2013

### jbunniii

Start with the definition of the Fourier transform:
$$G(f) = \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} g(u) \exp[-2\pi i f u] du$$
Now substitute $f/c$ in place of $f$:
$$G(f/c) = \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} g(u) \exp[-2\pi i (f/c) u] du$$
Multiply by $1/c$:
$$\frac{1}{c} G(f/c) = \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} \frac{g(u)}{c} \exp[-2\pi i (f/c) u] du$$
which is the second equality in your displayed equation.

5. Sep 23, 2013

### Uan

Cheers jbunniii, just what I was after! :thumbs: