Integration by parts

1. Sep 11, 2014

8700

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Hello!

I am having some trouble solving this integral by parts. I hope someone can help me.

$\int \cos(x)cos(kx) dx$

It is need for a fourier series

2. Relevant equations
I am using this definition:

$\int f(x)g(x) dx = f(x)G(x)-\int f'(x)G(x) dx$

since its an even function i need to find $a_k$ and $a_0$, i've found $a_0$ no worries about that.

3. The attempt at a solution

$\int f(x)g(x) dx = \frac{cos(x)sin(kx)}{k} - \int \frac{-sin(x)sin(kx)}{k}$

I can't remember/see the next rule of integration when having two sin functions. Or am i doing something wrong?

Last edited: Sep 11, 2014
2. Sep 11, 2014

BvU

Any particular knowledge about k you can share with us ?

Oh, and: use the template !

3. Sep 11, 2014

8700

k is just an integer thats about it.

I'll remember that next time.

4. Sep 11, 2014

BvU

So what do you do when k = 1 ?
Next question: what do you do when k = 2 ?
And you can guess the third question, right ?

5. Sep 11, 2014

8700

I need it for a fourier series where the inteval is from [0, $\pi$ ]. f(x)=cos(x) so it is an even function which means i need to calculate $a_0$ and $a_k$.

It is $a_k$ who i am trying to calculate right now by parts, but i am stuck at it.

Last edited: Sep 11, 2014
6. Sep 11, 2014

BvU

Ah, so it concerns integrals with definite limits. Also something that would have been clearly described under 1.
And you would have provided some relevant equations under 2. e.g. $\sin k\pi=0$, etc.

Never too late to catch up!
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

Have to go now, perhaps others can take over...

7. Sep 11, 2014

8700

yeah sorry!

Actually that is what confuses me. if $\sink\pi=0$ then there is only $\frac{cos(x)sin(kx)}{k}$ left? Does that mean that this is my $a_k$??

Last edited: Sep 11, 2014
8. Sep 11, 2014

8700

so when taking the interval into account i get the result $a_k=\frac{-sin(k\pi)}{k}$ which is wroooong

Last edited: Sep 11, 2014
9. Sep 11, 2014

Staff: Mentor

The new integral looks very much like the initial one, only using sin() rather than cos(). Your instinct should be to apply Integration by Parts again, leading to something of the form:

f(x) = g(x) - c*f(x)

from which you can isolate f(x).