Is My Fourier Series Expansion of a Sawtooth Wave Correct?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the Fourier Series expansion of a sawtooth wave defined by the function u(t) = t - π. Participants are examining the coefficients a0, αk, and βk in the context of Fourier analysis.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to derive the Fourier Series coefficients and expresses uncertainty about the correctness of their results, specifically regarding the absence of an a0 term.
  • Some participants question the interpretation of the Fourier Series terms and suggest that there may be a need for conversion or clarification of the period and frequency.
  • Others raise concerns about the signs and factors in the coefficients, indicating potential discrepancies between different sources or tables.
  • One participant introduces a new problem related to finding the steady state output for the same input function, indicating a shift in focus.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing feedback and clarification on the Fourier Series expansion. Some guidance has been offered regarding the interpretation of terms and the relationship between the original poster's results and established tables. There is a recognition of differing interpretations, particularly concerning the signs and factors in the coefficients.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating potential confusion regarding the definitions of terms and the setup of the Fourier Series, as well as the implications of the sawtooth wave's properties, such as its average and amplitude. There is also a suggestion to start a new thread for a separate but related problem, indicating the complexity of the topics being discussed.

soccer4life
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Homework Statement


There is a sawtooth function with u(t)=t-π.

Find the Fourier Series expansion in the form of
a0 + ∑αkcos(kt) + βksin(kt)

Homework Equations


a0 = ...
αk = ...
βk = ...

The Attempt at a Solution


After solving for a0, ak, and bk, I found that a0=0, ak=0, and bk=-2/k

Therefore, my Fourier expansion was the summation from k=1 to infinity of -2*sin(kt)/k

I think this is right, but can someone cross-reference final solutions with me? If you need to see my work I can provide that also.
 
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You can cross reference with this
some converting may be required :smile:
(I'm surprised you didn't already do that...:rolleyes: -- the Googling I mean)
 
BvU said:
You can cross reference with this
some converting may be required :smile:
(I'm surprised you didn't already do that...:rolleyes: -- the Googling I mean)
I'm a bit confused from those tables. I'm assuming that I am translating them incorrectly, but aren't they essentially stating that there must be an a0 term by always including a single value in front of the summation? On another note, I got an answer of π/4+2Σsin((2k-1)t)/(2k-1) by going through the methods outlined in that link. The summation term is the opposite term of my solution, but the π/4 in front of the summation still confuses me. There is definitely not an a0 term in this series. Here's a picture of my solution for βk if it is any help. Thank you for the response!
help.png
 

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Your sawtooth has zero average, so you did fine there. Amplitude is easy too.
Now how about the conversion of the period ? Shouldn't be too hard: they already show ##\omega_0 = {2\pi\over T}##.
 
BvU said:
Your sawtooth has zero average, so you did fine there. Amplitude is easy too.
Now how about the conversion of the period ? Shouldn't be too hard: they already show ##\omega_0 = {2\pi\over T}##.
The period is just 1. T=2π. That's how I performed all of my calculations, both in the table and by hand
 
No, your period is ##2\pi## :smile: That's why you integrate from 0 to ##2\pi##. Your frequency is ##1/T = 1/(2\pi)## and your ##\omega = 2\pi f = 1 ## :smile: .
Apart from that, you're in good shape: I already see their ##1/n## in your ##1/k## !

What about the 2 ?
 
BvU said:
No, your period is ##2\pi## :smile: That's why you integrate from 0 to ##2\pi##. Your frequency is ##1/T = 1/(2\pi)## and your ##\omega = 2\pi f = 1 ## :smile: .
Apart from that, you're in good shape: I already see their ##1/n## in your ##1/k## !

What about the 2 ?
Ah sorry I had my terminology mixed up (it's been a rough week). Can you clarify which 2 you are referring to? Also, just to make sure I understand where you're leading me, is the issue that I am translating the table incorrectly? Also, it it fair to assume that I have a mistake somewhere in my current answer?
 
You're being too modest. I think you did just fine and I want to help you so you can do the conversion between the table and your result all by yourself -- and that way you don't need to ask PF :wink: .

If we shift the table graph down by ##A\over 2## we see that your ##b_0 = 0## is correct and we see that the ##A## in the table is ##2\pi## in your case. Meaning the factor 2 is in agreement.

Now we have me puzzled about the minus sign. Took me a while to find out YOU are correct and the table I quoted is wrong ! o:)

A lot of texts (such as p 6 here) integrate from ##-\pi## to ##+\pi## -- that is a horizontal shift which introduces a ##(-1)^k## and I even needed an excel plot to convince myself that in your case your result is really correct...

upload_2017-12-11_0-32-10.png


(this was only for the sign, I didn't look at A anymore)
 

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Wow, you've gone above and beyond for me. Thank you! However, this entire question all leads into the overarching problem I'm having... which is finding the steady state output for this input. I'm going to go ahead and post the issues I'm having here, but if I need to start a new thread let me know and I can do so.
1. Problem Statement
Find the steady state output yss(t) for the input u(t)=t-π in terms of an infinite sum of sinusoids.
We are given the transfer function as:
help.png

2. Homework Equations

G(i) = ...
|G(ik)| = ...
Φ(ik) = ... (this is the angle)
yss(t) = βk||G(ik)|ei(kt+Φ(ik)) ***check that this is the correct formula please***

3. Attempt at Solution
I've found the following:
G(i)=1
|G(ik)| =
help.png
(Any tips/tricks on how to input fractions/square roots into PF would be greatly appreciated...)
Φ(ik) =
help.png


I know that these values are right. However, I don't fully understand how to incorporate them into the steady state formula (assuming that my formula is correct)
 

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  • #10
soccer4life said:
I'm going to go ahead and post the issues I'm having here, but if I need to start a new thread let me know and I can do so.
Yes, please start a new thread since this is a completely different problem.
 
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