How to Determine the Correct Fourier Series for a Given Waveform?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the correct Fourier series for a specified piecewise waveform. Participants explore the calculations of Fourier coefficients and the implications of symmetry in the waveform, including whether the function is even or odd. The conversation includes technical reasoning and attempts to clarify misunderstandings related to the Fourier series representation of the waveform.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a piecewise function and attempts to calculate its Fourier series coefficients, expressing confusion over the results.
  • Another participant suggests comparing the sketches of the waveform to the sine function to identify discrepancies.
  • Some participants argue that the function cannot be even since it has half-wave symmetry, indicating that certain coefficients must be non-zero.
  • There is a discussion about the implications of having zero coefficients and the nature of even and odd functions in relation to their Fourier expansions.
  • Participants challenge each other's calculations of Fourier coefficients, with some asserting correctness while others express doubts about specific terms.
  • One participant mentions the need for limits and L'Hôpital's rule to evaluate coefficients, suggesting potential errors in the original calculations.
  • Several participants retract earlier claims about the coefficients after further consideration and plotting results, indicating the complexity of the problem.
  • There is a shared acknowledgment of the importance of including all relevant terms in the Fourier series to accurately represent the function.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correctness of the Fourier coefficients or the nature of the waveform's symmetry. Multiple competing views remain regarding the calculations and interpretations of the Fourier series.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the assumptions underlying their calculations, particularly regarding the definitions of even and odd functions in the context of Fourier series. There are unresolved mathematical steps related to the evaluation of coefficients.

  • #31
Sorry i see what you're saying now. I shall try n=3 in what i have now and hope for 1/pi
 
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  • #32
No it doesnt.
 
  • #33
I'm still trying, and failing, to nail this.

Can someone tell me where the attached goes off course please? There's not a lot to it, but already if n=3 i don't get 1/pi.

1001.jpg
 
  • #34
You're having problems with the integration. The arguments of the sine functions are not simple x's, so dx is not the differential element for them to be integrated as just a sine function. In other words,

##\int sin(u) du = -cos(u) + C## which is fine since du is the differential element of u.

but if ##u = (n+1) x##, then ##du = (n + 1) dx##

You need to modify the integral so that the correct differential element is accounted for.
 
  • #35
Ok thanks, i shall have another look.
 
  • #36
Good evening,

I am also struggling on this question and have been for a solid week.

I am currently trying to calculate an. I so far have:

I have assumed for the time being x=wt

\int sinxcosnx.dx
\frac{1}{2} \int sin(n+1)x+sin(n-1)x.dx
\frac {1}{2} (\frac {-cos(n+1)x} {n+1} + (\frac {-cos(n-1)x}{n-1})

I have input the limits of x between pi and \frac {pi}{2} and subtracted there. Furthermore i have done the same to 2pi and \frac {3pi}{2} and added these but my result continually comes out at 0. I am expecting only odd numbers of n will produce a result. I have tried a few methods but none of them seem to be working.My hunch is that I am not integrating correctly or I am misunderstanding the relevance of (wt)?

Any assistance would be appreciate greatly.
 
  • #37
Hi Birchyuk,

Try this:

a_n = \frac{1}{\pi} \int sinxcosx.dx + \frac{1}{\pi} \int sinxcosx.dx

Insert your limits and put the equation in wolfram or mathlab. What do you get?

'V' won't make any difference as long as it's 1 but to be accurate 'V' should also be in the equation.
 
  • #38
Hi bizuputyi,

Thanks for the reply

Inputting this i get the following:

https://www4c.wolframalpha.com/Calculate/MSP/MSP103820ai5432f8fdg93e0000303fdbg66ci2bbf8?MSPStoreType=image/gif&s=4 and https://www5b.wolframalpha.com/Calculate/MSP/MSP8661cb3a0cb5a74g28300003gh8hbag7c679080?MSPStoreType=image/gif&s=33

I have produced a table in wolfram which is as below: (i have to admit i am not an expert with wolfram)

http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?...n*3*pi/2))+(cos(n*2*pi))))/(n^2-1)),{n,2,10}]

This again shows i have both even and odd harmonics which i believe is wrong
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #40
Hi Bizuputyi,

Thanks for this. For my own piece of mind what is going wrong as this does not make sense to me why this is not working the way i think it should?

Thanks.
 
  • #41
Hi Guys,

I am really struggling with this same question, here is what I have done so far, but there is a mistake (a few probably) in there and I can't find it!

fx=Vsin (wt)
x=wt

So a0= 1/π∫f(x)dx

= V/π∫sin (x) dx [lim π/2 to π] + V/π∫sin (x) dx [lim 3π/2 to 2π]

So next I integrated the above to give
=V/π[-cosx] [lim π/2 to π] + V/π[-cosx] [lim 3π/2 to 2π]
=V/π[0]
=0

so I proved a0=0

Next on to an

an= V/π∫sin (x).cos (nx) dx [lim π/2 to π] + V/π∫sin (x).cos (nx) dx [lim 3π/2 to 2π]

using the trig rule 2sin A.cos B = [sin (A+B) + sin (A-B)]/2 I changed the above to

an= V/2π∫sin (x+nx)+sin (x-nx) dx [lim π/2 to π] + V/2π∫sin (x+nx)+sin (x-nx) dx [lim 3π/2 to 2π]

this was then integrated to give

= V/2π[(-cos(x+nx)/n+1)-(cos(x-nx)/n-1)]+V/2π[(-cos(x+nx)/n+1)-(cos(x-nx)/n-1)]

When I put n=1 it all cancels out to 0, but by what's written in this thread I should have -2(V/2π) to give (-V/π)

For bn I end up with

bn=V/2π∫cos (x-nx)-cos (x+nx) dx [lim π/2 to π] + V/2π∫cos (x-nx)-cos (x+nx) dx [lim 3π/2 to 2π]

which integrated to

V/2π[(sin(x).cos(x)-(x-sin (x))] [lim π/2 to π] +V/2π[(x-1/4sin(4x))-(x-sin1/3(3x))] [lim 3π/2 to 2π]

bn=1/2 when n=1 (I put the n=1 in before integration as suggested by Gneil to get this, I don't understand why it should make a difference though?)

where have I gone wrong?

I think bn is correct, but my an isn't

any help gratefully received!

EDIT- Just noticed the red bit above is wrong, not doing too well here!
 
Last edited:
  • #42
One theory I have is when I use the trig rule, I change the sin(x) of the bn function to a cos then when I integrate it goes back to a sin, after integration should bn= (something) cos(something)?
 
  • #43
ok,

bn now sorted using integration by parts.

Still having difficulty with an
 

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