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PhysicsMark
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Homework Statement
Suppose, in turn, that the periodic function is symmetric or antisymmetric about the point x=a. Show that the Fourier series contains, respectively, only cos(k_{n}(x-a)) (including the a_0) or sin(k_{n}(x-a)) terms.
Homework Equations
The Fourier expansion for the periodic function, f(x):
f(x)=a_0 + \sum_{n=1}^{\infty}(a_{n}cos(k_{n}x) + b_{n}sin(k_{n}x))
a_0=\frac{1}{\lambda}\int_{x_0}^{x_0+\lambda}f(x) dx
a_n=\frac{2}{\lambda}\int_{x_0}^{x_0+\lambda}f(x)cos(k_{n}x) dx, n\neq0
b_n=\frac{2}{\lambda}\int_{x_0}^{x_0+\lambda}f(x)sin(k_{n}x) dx, (b_0=0)
k= \frac{2n\pi}{\lambda}\qquad \lambda=period
Hint: An integral centered on a point where the integrand is antisymmetric will vanish.
The Attempt at a Solution
I believe I understand what they are saying, but I do not know how to show/prove it. I know that cosine is symmetric about a point, while sine is not. Initially I was thinking that since sine is antisymmetric, for f(x) to be symmetric, the sine terms cannot exist in the expansion (which is exactly what the problem states). I was thinking the same for the opposite case regarding cosines.
The hint leads me to believe I am supposed to set up an integral. However, I do not understand how.
If I am to set up an integral, the best I can figure is that the lower limit should be a-\lambda and the upper limit should be a+\lambda
I think this because for the integral to be centered at point "a", we would need to go 1 full period in both directions.