RMS of square, sine and triangle waves

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the RMS values for square, triangle, and sine waves. While sine and square waves can be easily integrated or analyzed graphically, triangle waves present challenges due to their piecewise linear functions. Participants clarify that using a piecewise function simplifies the integration process for triangle waves. The square wave's RMS can be determined by examining the area under the graph, which is the simplest method. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of using piecewise definitions for easier calculations.
Juan Pablo
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I'm trying to calculate the RMS for square, triangle and sine waves. I can easily do the integrtion for sine waves and for square waves by looking at the graphic and getting the areas. It doesn't seem as easy for triangle waves since its squared form looks much more complicated and I'm not really sure how to calculate the integrals. I appreciate any guidance.

Thanks in advance.
 
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Do you know how to integrate without graphs? I.e. integrating using the equation for the wave?
 
Yeah sure, but most of the expressions for triangle waves use strange functions and I'm not sure how I would find the antiderivative of the triangle wave.
 
The expressions for a triangle wave should just be a bunch of linear functions next to each other...which will turn into parabolic functions when you square them. What strange functions are you talking about?

For example, a triangle wave may be: y=x for 0<x<1; y=-x+2 for 1<x<3; etc.
 
I feel like an idiot. I didn't realize I could use a piecewise function. Thanks! In the case of the square wave should I just use the graph for the integral or is there a more elegant way to do it? By strange function I meant the ones here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triangle_wave
 
The function there is a Fourier series expansion of a triangle wave. It's useful for some applications, though not this one particularly. Just use the piecewise definition, it's much easier.

I don't see any reason for the square wave to do any more than look at the area underneath the graph. That is the simplest method, and integrating is doing the same thing.
 
Thanks again! You really cleared out everything.
 
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