850 Fourier Series

12
Fourier Series
12.1PERIODIC FUNCTIONS
If the value of each ordinate f(t) repeats itself at equal intervals in the abscissa, then f(t) is
said to be a periodic function.
If f (t) = f (t + T) = f (t + 2 T) = .... then T is called the period of the function f (t).
For example :
sin x = sin (x + 2) = sin (x + 4 ) = ... so sin x is a periodic function with the period 2. This
is also called sinusoidal periodic function.
f(t)
1

–t –2 – 0  2 t

–1
T = 2
12.2 FOURIER SERIES
Here we will express a non-sinusoidal periodic function into a fundamental and its
harmonics. A series of sines and cosines of an angle and its multiples of the form.
a0
 a1 cos x  a2 cos 2 x  a3 cos 3 x  ...  an cos nx  ...
2
b1 sin x  b2 sin 2 x  b3 sin 3x  ...  bn sin nx  ...

a0  
   an cos nx   bn sin nx.
2 n 1 n 1

is called the Fourier series, where a1, a2,. ..an,...b1, b2, b3. .b n . .. are constants.
A periodic function f(x) can be expanded in a Fourier Series. The series consists of the
following:
(i) A constant term a0 (called d.c. component in electrical work).
(ii) A component at the fundamental frequency determined by the values of a1, b1.
(iii) Components of the harmonics (multiples of the fundamental frequency) determined by
a 2, a3...b2, b3.... And a0, a1, a2..., b1, b2. .. are known as Fourier coefficients or Fourier constants.
850

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 Fourier Series 851

12.3. DIRICHLET’S CONDITIONS FOR A FOURIER SERIES

If the function f(x) for the interval (–)
(1) is single-valued (2) is bounded
(3) has at most a finite number of maxima and minima.
(4) has only a finite number of discontinuous
(5) is f (x + 2) = f(x) for values of x outside [–], then
a0 P P
S p ( x)    an cos nx   bn sin nx
2 n 1 n 1

converges to f(x) as P   at values of x for which f(x) is continuous and to

1
[ f ( x  0)  f ( x  0)] at points of discontinuity..
2
12.4. ADVANTAGES OF FOURIER SERIES
1. Discontinuous function can be represented by Fourier series. Although derivatives of
the discontinuous functions do not exist. (This is not true for Taylor’s series).
2. The Fourier series is useful in expanding the periodic functions since outside the closed
interval, there exists a periodic extension of the function.
3. Expansion of an oscillating function by Fourier series gives all modes of oscillation
(fundamental and all overtones) which is extremely useful in physics.
4. Fourier series of a discontinuous function is not uniformly convergent at all points.
5. Term by term integration of a convergent Fourier series is always valid, and it may be
valid if the series is not convergent. However, term by term, differentiation of a Fourier
series is not valid in most cases.
12.5 USEFUL INTEGRALS
The following integrals are useful in Fourier Series.
2 2
(i) 0 sin nx dx  0 (ii) 0 cos nx dx  0
2 2
(iii) 0 sin 2 nx dx   (iv) 0 cos 2 nx dx  
2 2
(v) 0 sin nx  sin mx dx  0 (vi) 0 cos nx cos mx dx  0
2 2
(vii) 0 sin nx  cos mx dx  0 (viii) 0 sin nx  cos nx dx  0

(ix)  uv dx  uv1 – uv2 + uv3 – uv4 + ...

du d 2u
where v1 =  v dx, v2 =  v1 dx and so on u = , u = and so on and
dx dx 2
(x) sin n  = 0, cos n  = (– 1)n where n  I
12.6 DETERMINATION OF FOURIER COEFFICIENTS (EULER’S FORMULAE)
a0
f ( x)   a1 cos x  a2 cos 2x  ...  an cos nx  ...
2
b1 sin x  b2 sin 2 x  ...  bn sin nx  ... .... (1)
(i) To find a 0 : Integrate both sides of (1) from x = 0 to x = 2

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 852 Fourier Series

2 a0 2 2 2 2
0
f ( x )dx 
2 0
dx  a1  cos x dx  a2  cos 2 x dx  ....  an  cos nx dx  ...
0 0 0

2 2 2
b1  sin x dx  b2  sin 2dx  ...  bn  sin nx dx  ...
0 0 0

a0 2

2  0
dx, (other integrals = 0 by formulae (i) and (ii) of Art. 12.5)

2 a0 1 2
0
f ( x) dx 
2
2 ,  a0 
 0
f ( x) dx

... (2)
(ii) To find an: Multiply each side of (1) by cos nx and integrate from x = 0 to x= 2.
2 a0 2 2 2
 f ( x) cos nx dx   cos nx dx  a1  cos x cos nx dx  ...  an  cos 2 nx dx...
0 2 0 0 0

2 2
b1  sin x cos nx dx  b2  sin 2 x cos nx dx  ...
0 0

2
 an  cos 2 nx dx  an  (Other integrals = 0, by formulae on Page 851)
0

1 2
 0
 an  f ( x) cos nx dx

By taking n = 1, 2 ... we can find the values of al, a2....

(iii) To find bn: Multiply each side of (1) by sin nx and integrate from x = 0 to x = 2.
2 a0 2 2 2
 0
f ( x) sin nx dx 
2  0
sin nx dx  a1  cos x sin nx dx  ...  an  cos nx sin nx dx  ...
0 0

2 2
b1  sin x sin nx dx  ...bn  sin 2 nx dx  ...
0 0

2
 bn  sin 2 nx dx (All other integrals = 0, Article No. 12.5)
0

= bn 

1 2
 0
  bn  f ( x )sin nx dx ... (4)

1
Note : To get similar formula of a0 , has been written with a0 in Fourier series.
2
Example 1. Find the Fourier series representing
f (x) = x, 0 < x < 2
and sketch its graph from x = – 4  to x = 4 

a0
Solution. Let f ( x)   a1 cos x  a2 cos 2 x  .....  b1 sin x  b2 sin 2 x  ... ... (1)
2

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 Fourier Series 853
2 2
1 2 1 1 x 
2

 0
Hence a0  f ( x )dx   x dx     2
 0   2 0
1 2 1 2
an   f ( x) cos nx dx   x cos nx dx
 0  0
2
1  sin nx  cos nx   1  cos 2 n  1  1
 x  1.   2      2   2 (1  1)  0
 n  n  0   n2 n  n
1 2 1 2
bn  
 0
f ( x ) sin nx dx   x sin nx dx
 0
2
1   cos nx    sin nx   1  2  cos 2n  2
 x     1.  2      
  n n 0  n  n
Substituting the values of a0, an, bn in (1), we get
 1 1 
x    2 sin x  sin 2 x  sin 3x  ... Ans.
 2 3 

Example 2. Given that f (x) = x + x2 for – < x < find the Fourier expression of f(x).
π2 1 1 1
Deduce that = 1+ 2 + 2 + 2 + ... (UP. II Semester; Summer 2003)
6 2 3 4
a0
Solution. Let x + x 2   a1 cos x  a2 cos 2 x  ...  b1 sin x  b2 sin 2 x  ... ...(1)
2
1  1 
f ( x) dx   ( x  x 2 )dx
  
a0  (f (x) = x odd function)
 

2  x3  2  3  22
     
  3 0   3  3
1  1  2 
an   f ( x) cos nx dx   ( x  x 2 ) cos nx dx  0 x 2 cos nx dx
    
(x cos nx is odd function)

2  2 (sin nx) ( cos nx )  sin nx  
 x  (2 x )  (2)   3  
  n n2  n  0
n
2  2 sin n   cos n    sin n   4(1)
    2  2   2   3   2
 n  n   n  n
1  1 
bn   f ( x)sin nx dx   ( x  x 2 )sin nx dx
   

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 854 Fourier Series

2 

 0 x sin nx dx (x 2 sin nx is an odd function)

2   cos nx    sin nx   2 cos nx sin n 
 ( x )     (1)      () 2 3 
  n   n2   0  n n 
2   2 2
  cos n     ( 1) n  (1)n 1
  n  n n
Substituting the values of a0, an , bn in (1) we get
2  1 1   1 1 
x  x2  4   cos x  22 cos 2 x  32 cos 3x  ... 2 sin x  2 sin 2 x  3 sin 3x  ... ... (2)
3    

Put x =  in (2),

2  1 1 1 
  2  4 1  2  2  2  ... ... (3)
3  2 3 4 
2 2  1 1 1 
Put x = –in (2),      4 1  2  2  2  ... ... (4)
3  2 3 4 
2 2 2  1 1 1 
Adding (3) and (4) 2   8 1  2  2  2  ...
3  2 3 4 
4 2  1 1 1 
 8 1  2  2  2  ...
3  2 3 4 
2 1 1 1 
1
 1  2  2  2  ...  2 Ans.
6 2 3 4 n 1 n
Exercise 12.1
1. Find a Fourier series to represent, f (x) = – x for 0 < x < 2.
 1 1 1 
Ans. 2 sin x  sin 2 x  sin 3x  ...  sin nx  ...
 2 3 n 
2. Find a Fourier series to represent x – x2 from x = – to  and show that
2 1 1 1 1
 2  2  2  2  ...
12 1 2 3 4
2  cos x cos 2 x cos3 x cos 4 x   sin x sin 2 x sin 3 x sin 4 x 
Ans. –  4 2  2
 2
 2
 ...  2      ...
3  1 2 3 4   1 2 3 4 
3. Find a Fourier series to represent: f (x) = x sin x, for 0 < x < 2 .
1  cos 2 x cos 3 x cos 4 x 
Ans. 1   sin x  cos x  2  2  2  2  ...
2  2 1 3  1 4 1 
4. Find a Fourier series to represent the function f(x) = e x, for – < x < and hence derive a

 2 sinh   1 1 1 1 
series for . Ans.    2 cos x  2 cos 2 x  2 cos 3 x  .. 

sinh    2 1 1 2 1 3 1

 1 2 3 
+  2 sin x  2 sin 2 x  2 sin 3x... and
1  1 2 1 3 1 
  1 1 1 
 1  2     ....
sinh   2 5 10 

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 Fourier Series 855

5. Obtain the Fourier series for f (x) = e –x in the interval 0  x  2 .

1  e 2   1 1 1 1 1 2 3 
Ans.  cos x  cos 2 x  cos3 x  sin x  sin 2 x  sin 3x  ...
  2 2 5 10 2 5 10 
2
   x  2  cos nx
6. If f ( x )    , 0  x  2  , show that f ( x )  
2  12 n 1 n2
2 
cos nx
7.
2
Prove that x   4 ( 1) 2 ,    x  
3 n 1 n
1  1 2 1 4
Hence show that (i) n 2

6
(ii)  (2n  1) 2

8
(iii)  n 4  90
(3 x 2  6 x   2 2 )
8. If f (x) is a periodic function defined over a period (0, 2 ) f ( x) 
12

cos nx 2 1 1
Prove that f ( x)   2 and hence show that  1  2  2  ...
n 1 n 6 2 3
12.7FUNCTION DEFINED IN TWO OR MORE SUB-RANGES
Example 3. Find the Fourier series of the function
 π
-1 for -π < x < -
 2

π π
f ( x)   0 for - < x <
 2 2
 π
 +1 for <x<π
 2
a
Solution. Let f ( x )  0  a1 cos x  a2 cos 2 x  ...  b1 sin x  b2 sin 2 x  ... ...(1)
2
1  1 /2 1 /2 1 
a0   f ( x )dx   ( 1)dx   0dx   1 dx
       /2   /2
1 1  1  
   x     x  / 2        0
 / 2

   2 2
1 
  
an  f ( x) cos nx dx

1  / 2 1 /2 1 

  
( 1) cos nx dx   (0) cos nx dx   (1) cos nx dx
   /2  / 2
 n   n 
 / 2  sin sin 
1  sin nx  1  sin nx  1 2  sin n   1  sin n  2 0
          
  n     n   / 2  n n   n n 
   
f (x)
1 
 
bn  f ( x )sin nx dx 1
–
1  / 2 1 /2 – 2
X X
 
 
( 1) sin nx dx   (0) sin nx dx
   /2
O 
2


–1
1 
  (1) sin nx dx
n / 2

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 856 Fourier Series

 / 2 
 cos nx  1  cos nx 
    
 n     n   / 2
1  n  1  n  2  n 
 cos  cos n    cos n  cos   cos  cos n 
n  2  n 2 n 
 2 
2 2 2
b1  , b2   , b3 
  3
1 2 
Putting the values of a0, an, bn in (1) we get f ( x )   2sin x  2sin 2 x  sin 3x  ... Ans.
 3 
Example 4. Find the Fourier series for the periodic function
0, -π < x <0
f ( x)  
 x, 0<x<π
f (x + 2) = f (x)
a0
Solution. Let f ( x )   a1 cos x  a0 cos 2 x  ...  v1 sin x  b2 sin 2 x  ... ... (1)
2

1 0 1  1  x2  1  2  
a0   0.dx   x dx       
   0   2 0   2  2
 
1  1  sin nx  cos nx   1  cos n 
an   x cos nx dx   x.  (1)    =   
 0  n  n 2   0  n2  0
n
1  (1) 1 2
  2  2    2 when n is odd
 n n  n
= 0, when n is even.

1  1   cos nx   sin nx   1  (1)n  (1) n  1
bn   x sin nx dx   x     (1)   2      
 0   n   n 0   n  n
Substituting the values of a0, al, a2 ... b1, b2, . .. in (1), we get
 2  cos x cos 3x cos 5x   sin x sin 2 x sin 3x 
f ( x)    2  2  2 ...      ... Ans.
4  1 3 5   1 2 3 
DISCONTINUOUS FUNCTIONS
At a point of discontinuity, Fourier series gives the value of f(x) as the arithmetic mean of left
and right limits.
At the point of discontinuity, x = c
1
At x  c, f ( x )  [ f (c  0)  f (c  0)]
2
 ,  x0
Example 5. Find the Fourier series for f(x), if f ( x)   x, 0 x

1 1 1 2
Deduce that 12  32  5 2  ...  8
a0
Solution. Let f ( x)   a1 cos x  a2 cos 2 x  ...  an cos nx  ...
2
b1 sin x  b2 sin 2 x  ...  bn sin nx  ... ... (1)
1 
a0   f ( x) dx
 
1  0   1 0 2  1 2 2 
Then a0    () dx  0 x dx    ( x)   ( x / 2)0   (   / 2)   ;
     2

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 Fourier Series 857

1 
  
an  f ( x) cos nx dx
0 
1 0 
  1    sin nx    x sin nx  cos nx  
   0
an  ( ) cos nx dx  x cos nx dx
    n    n n2 0 

1 1 1 1 1 2
 0  2 cos n  2   2 (cos n  1)  2 [(1)n  1]  2 when n is odd
  n n  n n  n 
1 
bn   f ( x ) sin nx dx
 
0 
1 0  1   cos nx   cos nx sin nx  
bn    ()sin nx dx   x sin nx dx      x  
   0    n    n n 2 0 

1    1 1
  (1  cos n)  cos n  (1  2 cos n)  (1  2 (1)n
 n n  n n
3
bn  when n is odd
n
1
= when n is even
n
 2 cos 3 x cos 5 x  sin 2 x 3sin 3x sin 4 x
f ( x )     cos x  2   ...   3sin x    +... ... (2)
4  3 52  2 3 4
 2 1 1 
Putting x = 0 in (2), we get f (0)    1    .... ... (3
4   32 52  f(x)
Now f (x) is discontinuous at x = 0.
But f (0 – 0) = – and f (0 + 0) = 0
1
 f (0)  [ f (0  0)  f (0  0)]   / 2
2
X
– O 
  21 1 1 
From (3),      2  2  2  ...
2 4  1 3 5 
2 –
 1 1 1
or     ... Proved.
8 12 32 52
Example 6. Find the Fourier series expansion of the periodic function of period 2-, defined by
  
 x if   x 
2 2
f ( x)  
  1  3
if  x 
 2 2
a0
Solution. Let f ( x )   a1 cos x  a2 cos 2 x  ...  b1 sin x  b2 sin 2 x  ...
2
3
/ 2
1 /2 1 3 1  x2  1 x2  2
Now a0   x dx   2 (  x )dx      x  
 / 2  /2   2   / 2   2  / 2

1   2  2  1  3 2 9 2  2  2   3 9 1 1
               0
  8 8   2 8 2 8  2 8 2 8

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 858 Fourier Series

3
1 /2 1
   /2
an  x cos nx dx   2 (  x ) cos nx dx
 /2
3
 /2
1  sin nx  cos nx   1 sin nx  cos nx   2
 x  (1)   2    (  x )  ( 1)   
 n  n     /2   n  n 2    /2
 n n n n 
sin cos sin cos 
1  2  2   2  2
  
 2 n n2 2 n n2 
 
 3n 3n n n 
sin cos sin cos 
1  2  2   2  2
  
 2 n n2 2 n n2 
 
1   3n  n  1  3n n  
    sin  sin   2  cos  cos  
  2n  2 2 n  2 2 
1  n 2 n 
   sin n cos  sin sin n   0
 n 2 n2 2 
3
1  /2 1 3 /2 2  /2 1 2
  /2   /2  0   /2
 bn  x sin nx dx  (   x )sin nx dx  x sin nx dx  (  x)sin nx dx
3
/2
2   cos nx   sin nx   1  cos nx   sin nx   2
 x     (1)   2    (  x )     ( 1)   2  
  n  n 0  n  n   /2
 n n   3n 3n n n 
cos sin cos sin cos sin
2  2  2  1   2  2   2  2 
  2   2 2 
 2 n n   2 n n 2 n n 
   
 n  n  n  3 n  
cos 3sin cos3 sin
1  2 2  2 2 
   2
  2 
 2 n n 2 n n 
 
1   3n  n  3 n 1 3n  
  cos  cos   2 sin  sin
  2n  2 2  n 2 n2 2 
1  n 3 n 1 3n  1  n 3n 
  sin sin n  2 sin  sin  3sin  sin
  n 2 n 2 n2 2  n2   2 2 
4  sin x sin 3 x sin 5 x 
Substituting the values of a0, a1, a2 ... b1, b2 .... we get f ( x)  2  2  2  ... Ans.
 1 3 5 
Example 7. Find the Fourier series of the function defined as
x + π for 0 < x < π
f (x) =  and f (x + 2π)  f (x).
 –x – π –< x<0
1  1 0 1 
Solution. a0 
  
f ( x) dx   f ( x ) dx   f ( x ) dx
   0
0 
1 0 1  1  x2  1  x2 
 
 
( x  )dx   ( x  )dx     x     x 
 0   2    2 
–   0

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 Fourier Series 859

1  2 2  1  2 2 1  1 
              1     1  
 2   2  2  2 
1  1 0 1 
an 
  
f ( x ) cos nx dx   f ( x ) cos nx dx   f ( x) cos nx dx
    0
1 0 1 
  ( x  ) cos nx dx   ( x  ) cos nx dx
   0
0 
1 sin nx  cos nx   1 sin nx  cos nx  
  (  x  )  ( 1)       ( x  )  (1)   
 n 
2
n      n  n 2   0

1 1 (  1) n  1  (  1) n 1  2
  2  2    2
 2   2 [(  1) n  1]
 n n    n n  n 
4
an  2 , If n is odd.
n 
and an = 0 if n is even.
1  1 0 1 
bn   f ( x) sin nx dx   f ( x) sin nx dx   f ( x) sin nx dx
     0
1 0 1 
  ( x  )sin nx dx   ( x  ) sin nx dx
   0
0 
1  cos nx   sin nx   1  cos nx   sin nx  
 (  x  )     (1)   2    ( x  )     (1)   2  
  n  n    n n 0
1    1  2  1 2
      ( 1) n    [(1)  2(1)n  (1)]  [1  ( 1)n ]
 n   n n n n
4
 , if n is odd.
n
= 0, if n is even.
a0
Fourier series is f ( x)   a1 cos x  a2 cos 2 x  ...  b1 sin x  b2 sin 2 x  ...
2
 4  cos x cos 3x   sin x sin 3 x 
f ( x)    2  2  ...  4    ... Ans.
2  1 3   1 3 
Exercise 12.2
1. Find the Fourier series of the function
 1 for    x  0
f ( x)  
 1 for 0 x

4 1 1 1 1 
where f (x + 2) = f (x). Ans. sin x  sin 3x  sin 5 x  sin 7 x  ...
 1 3 5 7 
2. Find the Fourier series for the function
 
  4 for    x  0
f ( x)  
  for 0 x
 4
and f ( –) = f (0) = f () = 0, f (x) = f (x + 2 ) for all x.
 1 1 1 sin x sin 3 x sin 5 x sin 7 x
Deduce that  1     ... Ans.     .....
4 3 5 7 1 3 5 7

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 860 Fourier Series

3. Find the Fourier series of the function


0 for   x  0

 
f ( x)  1 for 0 x
 2
 
0 for 2
 x

4. Obtain a Fourier series to represent the following periodic function

f(x) = 0 when 0 < x < 
f(x) = 1 when  < x < 2
1 2 1 1 
Ans.   sin x  sin 3 x  sin 5 x  ...
2  3 5 
5. Find the Fourier expansion of the function defined in a single period by the relations.
1 for 0 < x < 
f(x) = 
2 for   x  2
 1 1 1
and from it deduce that  1     ...
4 3 5 7
3 2 1 1 
Ans.   sin x  sin 3 x  sin 5 x  ...
2  3 5 
6. Find a Fourier series to represent the function
0 for   < x  0

f(x) =  1
 4 x for 0 x

2 1 1 1
and hence deduce that     ...
8 12 32 52
 2   [(1)n  1 (1)n  
Ans.   
16 n 1  4n 2
cos nx 
4n
sin nx  ...

7. Find the Fourier series for f(x), if
f (x) = – for – < x  0
=x for 0 < x < 

 for x = 0
2
2
1 1 1 
Deducethat 2  2  2  ... 
1 3 5 8
 2 cos 3x cos 5x  1 3 1
Ans. –   cos x  2  2  ...  3sin x  sin 2 x  sin 3x  sin 4 x  ...
4  3 5  2 3 4

8. Obtain a Fourier series to represent the function

f(x) = |x| for –  < x < 
2 1 1 1
and hence deduce     ...
8 12 32 52
 4 1 1 
Ans.  cos x  2 cos 3x  2 cos 5 x  ...
2  3 5 

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 Fourier Series 861
9. Expand as a Fourier series, the function f (x) defined as

f ( x)    x for    x  
2
  
 for   x 
2 2 2
 3 2  1 2 1 
   x for x Ans.   2 cos x  2 cos 2 x  2 cos 3x  ...
2 8  1 2 3 
10. Obtain a Fourier series to represent the function
f (x) = |sin x| for – < x <  Hint f ( x )   sin x for    x  0 
 
  sin x for 0  x   
2 4 1 1 1 
Ans.   cos 2 x  cos 4 x  cos 6 x  ...
  3 15 35 
11. An alternating current after passing through a rectifier has the form
i = I sin  for 0 <  < 
=0 for  < < 2 f ()
1 1
Find the Fourier series of the function.
 2
I 2 I  cos 2 cos 4  I 0 3 
Ans.     ...  sin 
 2
  3 15
12. If f (x) = 0 for –  < x < 0
= sin x for 0 < x < 
1 sin x 2  cos 2mx
Prove that f ( x)    .
 2  m 1 4m2  1
1 1 1 1
Hence show that   ...  (  2)
1.3 3.5 5.7 4
12.8(a) EVEN FUNCTION
A function f (x) is said to be even (or symmetric) function if, f ( – x) = f(x)
The graph of such a function is symmetric with respect to y-axis [f(x) axis]. Here y-axis is a
mirror for the reflection of the curve.
f (x) f (x)

X X
O O

The area under such a curve from – to  is double the area from 0 to .
 
   f ( x)dx  20 f ( x) dx
(b) Odd Function f (x) f (x)

X
X
O O

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 862 Fourier Series

A function f (x) is called odd (or skew symmetric) function if

f (– x) = – f (x)
Here the area under the curve from – to  is zero.

 
f ( x)dx  0

Expansion of an even function:

1  2 
a0 
   
f ( x)dx   f ( x)dx
 0
1  2 π
an 
  
f ( x) cos nx dx   f (x) cos nx dx
π 0

As f (x) and cos nx are both even functions.

 The product of f (x). cos nx is also an even function. page 846
1 π
π - π
bn  f(x) sin nx dx = 0

As sin nx is an odd function so f (x). sin nx is also an odd function. We need not to calculate bn.
It saves our labour a lot.
The series of the even function will contain only cosine terms.
Expansion of an odd function :
1 
  
a0  f ( x )dx  0

1 
 
an  f ( x) cos nx dx  0 [ f ( x).cos nx is odd function.]

1  2 π
bn 
  
f ( x ) sin nx dx   f (x) sin nx dx
π 0
[f(x). sin nx is even function.]
The series of the odd function will contain only sine terms.
f (t)

T –T  T T t
2 2
2

The function shown below is neither odd nor even so it contains both sine and cosine terms
Example 8. Find the Fourier series expansion of the periodic function of period 2
f ( x)  x 2 ,    x  
1 1 1 1
Hence, find the sum of the series - + - + ...
12 2 2 3 2 4 2
Solution. f ( x)  x 2 ,    x  

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 Fourier Series 863

This is an even function.  bn = 0


2  2  2  x3  2 2
a0   f ( x)dx   x 2 dx    
 0  0   3 0 3

2  2 
an   f ( x ) cos nx dx   x 2 cos nx dx
 0  0

2  2  sin nx   cos nx   sin nx  
  x    (2 x )   2   (2)   3  
  n n n 0
2   2 sin n 2 cos n 2sin n  4( 1)n
    
 n n2 n3  n2
f(x)

–3 – 3
X
O

a0
Fourier series is f ( x)   a1 cos x  a2 cos 2 x  a3 cos 3 x  ...  an cos nx  ...
2
2  cos x cos 2 x cos 3x cos 4 x 
x2   4 2  2
 3
 2
 ...
3  1 2 3 4 
On putting x = 0, we have
2 1 1 1 1 
0  4  2  2  2  2 ...
3 1 2 3 4 
1 1 1 1 2
   ...  Ans.
12 22 32 4 2 12
Example 9. Obtain a Fourier expression for
f (x) =x 3 for –  < x < 
Solution. f (x) = x3 is an odd function.
 a 0 = 0 and a n = 0
2  2 
bn   f ( x ) sin nx dx   x3 sin nx dx
 0  0
 uv  uv1  u ' v2  u " v3  u "' v4  ...
 

2  3  cos nx  2  sin nx   cos nx   sin nx  
 x    3 x   2   6 x  3   6  4  
   n  n n n 0
2  3 cos n 6 cos n  n  
2
6
   3   2.(1)    3 
 n n   n n 
  2 6   2 6   2 6  
 x3  2     3  sin x     3  sin 2 x     3  sin 3x... Ans.
  1 1   2 2   3 3  

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 864 Fourier Series

12.9 HALF-RANGE SERI ES, PERIOD 0 TO 

The given function is defined in the interval (0, ) and it is immaterial whatever the function
may be outside the interval (0, ). To get the series of cosines only we assume that f(x) is an
even function in the interval ( – , ).
2 π
π 0
an = f (x) cos nx dx and bn = 0

To expand f(x) as a sine series we extend the function in the interval ( – , ) as an odd
function.
2 π
π 0
bn = f (x) sin nx dx and a n = 0

Example 10. Represent the following function by a Fourier sine series:

 π
t, 0 <t 
2
f (t)
f (t )  
π , π
<t  π –
 2 2 2
t
– O  
2  2
Solution. bn  0 f (t ) sin nt dt

2 / 2 2  
 
 0
t sin nt dt  
  /2 2
sin nt dt
 /2 
2   cos nt   sin nt   2   cos nt 
 t   (1)   2    
   n  n 0  2  n   / 2

 n n   n 
cos sin   cos 
2  2 2 cos n 2
       
 2 n n2   n n 
   

2      2 2
b1   cos  sin     cos   cos    0  1  [1]   1
  2 2 2  2  
2   cos  sin    cos 2 cos   2   (1)   1 1
b2             0     
 2 2 2   2 2   2 2   2 2
2  1 1
   1  1  
 4 2 2
 3 3   3 
cos sin   cos 
2  2 2 cos 3 2
b3         
 2 3 32   3 3 
   
2  1  1  2 1
  (0)      0   
  2 9 3  9 3

2  1  2 1
f (t )    1 sin t  sin 2t     sin 3t  ... Ans.
  2  9 3 

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 Fourier Series 865

Example 11. Find the Fourier sine series for the function
f (x) = e ax for 0 < x < 
where a is constant

2  ax
 0
Solution. bn  e sin nx dx

2  eax 
  2 2
(a sin n  n cos nx)
 a  n 0
 ax e ax 
  e sin bx dx  2 2
[a sin bx  b cos bx ] 
 a b 

2  e ax n 
  (a sin n  n cos n )  2 
  a2  n2 a  n2 
2 n 2n
  ( 1)ea  1  2 1  ( 1)n e a 
 a 2  n2  (a  n2 ) 

2(1  ea  ) 2.2.1(1  e a )
b1  , b2 
(a 2  12 ) ( a   22 ) 

2  1  e a 2(1  ea ) 
e ax   2 2 sin x  2 2
sin 2 x  ... Ans.
 a 1 a 2 
Exercise 12.3
f(x)
1. Find the Fourier cosine series for the function 1
 
 1 for 0  x  2
f (x) = 
 0 for   x  .
 – 
 2 X X
–
O 
1 2 1 1  2 2
Ans.   cos x  cos 3 x  cos 5 x  ...
2  3 5 
2. Find a series of cosine of multiples of x which will represent f (x) in (0, ) where

 0 for 0  x 
 2
f (x) = 

 for 
2 x
2
1 1 1   1 1
Deduce that 1     ...   Ans.  cos x  cos 3 x  cos 5 x  ...
3 5 7 4 4 3 5
 1 1 
3. Express f (x) = x as a sine series in 0 < x < . Ans. 2 sin x  sin 2 x  sin 3 x  ...
 2 3 
4. Find the cosine series for f (x) =  – x in the interval 0 < x < .
Ans.   4  cos x  cos 3 x  cos5 x  ... 
 
2  32 52 
 0 for 0 < x < 
5. If f (x) =  2

 

 – x, for 2  x 

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 866 Fourier Series

4 1 1 
Show that: (i) f (x) =  sin x  2 sin 3 x  2 sin 5 x  ... 
 3 5 
 21 1 1 
(ii) f (x) =   2 cos 2 x  2 cos 6 x  2 cos 10 x  ... 
4  1 3 5 
4 1 1 
(i) f ( x)   sin x  2 sin 3 x  2 sin 5 x  ...
 3 5
 21 1 1 
(ii) f ( x )    2 cos 2 x  2 cos 6 x  2 cos10 x  ...
4  1 3 5
6. Obtain the half-range cosine series for f (x) = x2 in 0 < x <.
2 4  1 1 
Ans.   cos x  2 cos 2 x  2 cos 3x  ...
3  2 3 
7. Find (i) sine series and (ii) cosine series for the function
f (x) = ex for 0 < x < .
2  1  (1)n e   e   1 2  1  ( 1) n e 
Ans. (i)  n
 1  n 1  2  sin nx (ii)

 
 1 n2  1
cos nx

8. If f (x) = x+ 1, for 0 < x < , find its Fourier (i) sine series (ii) cosine series. Hence deduce that
1 1 1  1 1 1 2
(i) 1     ...  (ii) 1  2  2  2  ... 
3 5 7 4 3 5 7 8
2  1 
Ans. (i) (  2)sin x  sin 2 x  (  2) sin 3 x  sin 4 x  ...
 2 3 4 
  cos3 x cos 5 x 
(ii)  1  4  cos x  2   ...
2 3 52 
9. Find the Fourier series expansion of the function f ( x)  cos(sx ),    x  
1 2 2
where s is a fraction. Hence, show that cos    2 2
 2  ...
     4 2
sin x 1  sin( s  n) sin( s  n) 
Ans.     cos nx
s   sn sn
12.10 CHANGE OF INTERVAL AND FUNCTIONS HAVING ARBITRARY PERIOD
In electrical engineering problems, the period of the function is not always 2  but T or 2c.
This period must be converted to the length 2 . The independent variable x is also to be
changed proportionally.
Let the function f (x) be defined in the interval ( – c, c). Now we want to change the function
to the period of 2 so that we can use the formulae of an , bn as discussed in article 12.6.
 2 c is the interval for the variable x.
x
 1 is the interval for the variable =
2c
x 2  x
 2  is the interval for the variable = 
2c c
x zc
so put z or x 
c 
Thus the function f (x) of period 2c is transformed to the function
 cz 
f   or the period of F (z) is 2
 

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 Fourier Series 867

F (z) can be expanded in the Fourier series.

 cz  a
F ( z )  f    0  a1 cos z  a2 cos 2 z  ...... b1 sin z  b2 sin 2 z  ...
 2
1 2 1 2  cz 
where a0 
 0
F ( z )dz  
 0
f   dz
 
1 2c  x  1 2 c  x

 0
f ( x ) d     f ( x ) dx
 c  c 0
 Put z  c 
 
1 2 1 2  cz 
an  
 0
F ( z ) cos nz dz  
 0
f   cos nz dz

1 2c n x  x  1 2c nπx  x 

 0
f ( x) cos
c
d     f(x)cos
 c  c 0 c
dx  Put z  c 

1 2c nπx
c 0
Similarly, bn = f(x) sin dx.
c
Cor. Half range series [Interval (0, c)]
Cosine series:
a x 2 x n x
f ( x)  0  a1 cos  a2 cos  ...  an cos  ...
2 c c c
2 c 2 c nx
where a0   f ( x ) dx, an   f ( x ) cos dx
c 0 c 0 c
x 2x n x
Sine series: f ( x)  b1 sin  b2 sin  ...  bn sin  ...
c c c
2 2 nx
where bn   f ( x ) sin dx.
c c c
Example 12. A periodic function of period 4 is defined as
f(x) = |x|, –2 < x < 2. f (x)
Find its Fourier series expansion.
Solution. f (x) = |x| –2 < x < 2. 2
f (x) = x 0< x <2
= –x –2 < x < 0
X X
1 c 1 2 1 0
a0 
c  c
f ( x )dx   xdx   (  x)dx
2 0 2 2
–2 O 2

2 0
1  x2  1   x2  1 1
       (4  0)  (0  4)  2
2  2  0 2  2  2 4 4

1 c n x 1 2 n x 1 0 n x
an 
c   c
f ( x ) cos
c
dx   x cos
2 0 2
dx 
2 
2
(  x ) cos
2
dx
2
1  2 n  x  4 n  x 
  x  sin   (1)   2 2 cos 
2   n 2   n 2   0
0
1  2 n  x  4  n x
 (  x )  sin   ( 1)   2 2  cos
2  n 2 n  2  2

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 868 Fourier Series

1 4 4  1 4 4 
 0  2 2 (1)n  2 2   0  2 2  2 2 (1)n 
2  n n   2 n n 
1 4 4
 2 2
[(1)n  1  1  ( 1)n ]  2 2 [( 1)n  1]
2n  n 
8
 if n is odd.
n22
=0 if n is even
bn  0 as f(x) is even function.
Fourier series is
a x 2 x x 2x
f ( x)  0  a1 cos  c2 cos  ...  b1 sin  b2 sin  ...
2 c c c c
 x 3x 5 x 
cos cos cos
8  2 2 2 
f ( x)  1  2  2    ...
  1 3 2
5 2
Ans.

 
Example 13. Find Fourier half-range even expansion of the function,
 –x 
f (x) =   1 , 0xl
 l 
2 1 2 1 x 
Solution. a0 
l 0
f ( x )dx      1 dx
l 0 l 
l
2  x2  2  l 2  2l  1 
    x      1     1  1
l  2l  0 l  2l  l  2 
2 l n x 2 l x  n x
l 0
an  f ( x )cos dx      1 cos dx
l l 0 l  l
l
2  x   l nx   1  l 2 n x  
    1  sin        2 2 cos 
l   l   n l   l  n  l   0
2 l l  2 l 2
  0  2 2 cos n  2 2   2 2
[ ( 1) n  1]  2 2 [1  (1)n ]
l n  n   l n  n
4
 when n is odd.
n2 2
=0 when n is even.
1 4 1 x 1 3x 1 5x 
f ( x) 
 cos  2 cos  2 cos ... Ans.
2  2 12 l 3 l 5 l 
Example 14. Find the Fourier half-range cosine series of the function
f (t) = 2 t, 0<t<1
= 2 (2 – t), 1 < t < 2
Solution. f (t) = 2t, 0< t<1
= 2 (2 – t), 1 < t < 2

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 Fourier Series 869

a0 t 2t 3t
Let f (t )   a1 cos  a2 cos  a3 cos  ...
2 c c c

t 2 t 3 t
b1 sin  b2 sin  b3 sin  ... .... (1)
c c c

Hence c = 2, because it is half range series.

2 c 2 1 2 2
Here a0 
c 0
f (t ) dt   2t dt   2(2  t ) dt
2 0 2 1

2
1   t2  
 t 2  0   2  2t     1  [(4t  t 2 )]12  1  (8  4  4  1)  2
  2  1

2 c nt 2 1 nt 2 2 nt

an  
c 0
f (t ) cos
c
dt   2t cos
2 0 2
dt   2(2  t )cos
2 1 2
dt

1
  2 nt  4 nt  
  2t  sin   (2)   2 2 cos 
  n  2 n  2   0

2
  2 nt  4 n t  
  (4  2t )  sin   ( 2)   2 2 cos 
  n 2   n  2  1

 4 n 8 n 8   8 4 n 8 n
=  n  sin 2  2 2 cos 2  2 2   0  2 2 cos n   n  sin 2  2 2 cos 2 
 n  n    n  n  

= 16
2 2
cos
n 8 8 8 
 2 2  2 2 cos n  2 2  2cos
n 
 1  cos n 
n  2 n  n  n   2 


8 1  n  nt
f (t )  1 
 2  2 
n 
2cos
2
 1  cos n cos
 2 Ans.
n 1

Example 15. Obtain the Fourier cosine series expansion of the periodic function defined by

 t 
f (t )  sin   , 0  t  l
 l 

 t 
Solution. f (t )  sin   , 0  t  l
 l 
l
2 l  t 2 l t 2 2 4
l 0  l 
a0  sin   dt    cos    (cos   cos 0)   ( 1  1) 
l  l 0   

2 l  t  n t 1 1   t n t   n  t  t 
an 
l 0
sin   cos
 l  l
dt   sin  
l 0
  l l 
  sin 
 l
  dt
l  

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 870 Fourier Series

1 l t 1 l t

l 0
sin(n  1) dt   sin(n  1) dt
l l 0 l
l l
1 l (n  1) t  1  l (n  1) t 
  cos   l  (n  1) cos 
l  (n  1) l 0  l 0
1 1
 [cos(n  1)   cos 0]  [cos( n  1)   cos 0]
( n  1)  ( n  1)
1 1
 [(1)n – 1  1]  [(1)n  1  1]
(n  1) (n  1)
 1 1  1 1
 ( 1) n 1      ( n  1)   ( n  1) 
 ( n  1)  ( n  1)  
2 2 2
 (1)n 1  2  2 ( 1) n 1  1
(n  1) (n  1) (n  1) 
2

4
 when n is even
( n 2  1) 
=0 when n is odd.
The above formula for finding the value of al is not applicable.
2 l t t 1 l 2t
a1  
l 0
sin cos dt   sin
l l l 0 l
dt

l
1 l 2 t  l 1
   cos   (cos 2  cos 0)  (1  1)  0
l  2 l 0 2l 2
a t 2 t 3 t 4 t
f (t )  0  a1 cos  a2 cos  a3 cos  a4 cos  ...
2 l l l l
2 4 1 2 t 1 4 t 1 6 t 
   cos  cos  cos  ... Ans.
  3 l 15 l 35 l 
Example 16. Find the Fourier series expansion of the periodic function of period 1
1 1
f(x)= + x, – <x0
2 2
1 1
= – x, 0<x<
2 2
a0 x 2 x
Solution. Let f ( x)   a1 cos  a2 cos  ...
2 c c
x x 3 x
b1 sin  b2 sin 2  b3 sin  ... ... (1)
c c c
1
Here 2 c = 1 or c 
2
1 c 1 0 1  1 1/ 2  1 
a0   f ( x) dx   1/ 2 0  2 
  x dx    x  dx
c c 1/ 2 1/2  2 
0 / /2
 x x2   x x2  1 1  1 1 1
 2        2       
 2 2  1/2  2 2  0  4 8  4 8 2

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 Fourier Series 871

1 c nx
an 
c  c
f ( x ) cos
c
dx

1 0 1  n x 1 1/2  1  n x
  
1/ 2 1/ 2  2 
 x  cos
1/ 2
dx 
1/ 2 0  2 
  x cos
1/ 2
dx

0 1  1/ 2  1 
 2   x cos2n x dx  20   x cos 2n x dx
1/ 2 2 2
0
 1  sin 2 n x  cos 2n x  
 2    x  (1)   
 2  2n   4n 2  2   1/2
1/2
 1  sin 2 n x   cos 2n x  
2   x  ( 1) 

 2  2n   4n 2  2   0

 1 ( 1) n   (1)n 1  1  1 (1) n 

 2 0  2 2  2 2   2  0  2 2  2 2   2  2  2 
 4n  4n    4n  4n     n n 
2
 if n is odd
n 2
2

=0 if n is even
1 c n x
bn   f ( x )sin dx
c c c
1 0 1  n x 1 1/ 2  1  n x

1/ 2  1/ 2
  x sin
2 1/ 2
dx 
1/ 2 0
  x sin
2 1/ 2
dx

0 1  1/ 2  1 
 2   x sin2n x dx  20   x sin 2n x dx
1/ 2 2 2
0
 1    cos 2 n x   sin 2n x  
 2   x    (1)  
 2  2n     4n2  2  
1/ 2

1/ 2
 1   cos 2 n x   sin 2n x  
2   x    ( 1)  

 2   2n     4n 2  2  
0

 1   1 
 2   0
 4n    4n  
Substituting the values of a0, a1, a2, a3, . . . b1, b2, b3 ...in (1) we have
1 2  cos 2 x cos 6 x cos10 x 
f ( x)      ... Ans.
4  2  12 32 52 
1 1  1 2n π x
Example 17. Prove that – x =  sin , 0 < x <1
2 π 1 n l

1
Solution. f ( x)  x
2
l
1 l 2 l1  2  lx x 2 
1/ 2 0 l 0  2 
a0  f ( x )dx    x  dx     0
l  2 2 0

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 872 Fourier Series
1 l n x 2 1 1  2n  x
an 
1/ 2 0
f ( x ) cos
1/ 2
dx     x  cos
l 2
0
 1
dx

1
2  1  1 2n  x 12 2n  x 
   x  sin  (1)  2 2 cos 
1  2  2n  1 4n  1 0

2 12 12 
 0  2 2 cos 2n  2 2 
1  4n  4n  

2 12 1
 2 2
( cos 2n  1)  2 2 (1  1)  0
1 4n  2n 
1 1 n x 2 1 1  2n  x
1/ 2 0
bn  f ( x )sin dx     x  sin dx
1/ 2 1 0 2  1
1
2  1  1 2n  x   12 2n  x  
   x  cos   (1)   2 2 sin 
1  2   2n  1   4n  1  0 
 

2 1 1 1 1  2  12  1
  cos 2n  . (1)    
1  2 2n  2 2n   1  2 n   n 
Fourier series is
a0 nx 2n x 3n  x
f ( x)   a1 cos  a2 cos  a3 cos  ...
2 1/ 2 1/ 2 1/ 2
n x 2 n x 3n  x
b1 sin  b2 sin  b3 sin  ...
1/ 2 1/ 2 1/ 2
1 1 2 x 1 4 x 1 6 x
 x  sin  sin  sin  ...
2  1 2 1 3 1
1  1 2n  x
 
 1 n
sin
1
Prove

Example 18. Find the Fourier series corresponding to the function f (x) defined in ( –2, 2)
as follows
 2 in – 2  x  0
f ( x)  
 x in 0  x  2
Solution. Here the interval is ( –2, 2) and c = 2
1 c 1 0 0
f ( x )dx    2.dx   x dx 
c  c
a0 
2  2 2 
2
1 0  x2   1
 [2 x 2      [4  2]  3
2  2  0  2

1 c  nx  1 0 nx 2 n x 
an  
c c
f ( x ) cos 
 c


dx    2.cos
2  2 2
dx   x cos
0 2
dx 

0 2
1 4  n  x  2 nx 4 nx  
   sin    x sin  2 2 cos  
2  n  2  2  n 2 n 2  0 

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 Fourier Series 873

1 4 4  2
 cos n  2 2   2 2 [( 1) n  1]
2  n2  2 n   n 
4
 when n is odd
n 22

= 0 when n is even.
1 c n x 1 0 n x 1 2 n x
bn   f ( x )sin dx   2sin dx   x sin dx
c  c c 2 2 2 2 0 2
0 2
1  2 n  x  1  2 nx  4 n x 
 2 cos   x   cos   (1) 2 2 sin
2   n 2   2 2   n 2  n 2  0

1 4 4  1 4 4  1 4  2
    cos n      cos n  2 2 sin n       
2  n n  2  n n   2  n  n
a0 x 2 x 3 x
f ( x)   a1 cos  a2 cos  a3 cos  ...
2 c c c
x 2 x 3 x
b1 sin  b2 sin  b3 sin  ...
c c c
3 4 1 x 1 3 x 
  2  2 cos  2 cos  ...
2  1 2 3 2 
2 1  x 1 2 x 1 3 x 
  sin  sin  sin  ... Ans.
 1 2 2 2 2 2 
Example 19. Expand f (x) = ex in a cosine series over (0, 1).
Solution. f (x) = ex and c=1
2 c 2 1 x
a0   f ( x)dx   e dx  2(e  1)
c 0 1 0
2 c n x 2 1 n x
an   f ( x) cos dx   e x cos dx
c 0 c 1 0 1
1
 ex 
 2 2 2 (cos n  x  n  sin n  x ) 
 n  1 0
2
 2 2 [(1)n e  1]
n  1
a0
f ( x )   a1 cos  x  a2 cos 2 x  a3 cos 3 x  .....
2
 e  1 e 1 e  1 
ex  e 1  2  2 cos  x  2 cos 2 x  2 cos 3 x  ... Ans.
  1 4  1 9  1 
Exercise 12.4
1. Find the Fourier series to represent f(x), where
f (x) = –a –c < x < 0
=a 0<x<c 4a   x 1 3 x 1 5 x 
Ans. sin  sin  sin  ...
  c 3 c 5 c 
2. Find the half-range sine series for the function
f (x) = 2x – 1 0 < x < 1.
2 1 1 
Ans.  sin x  sin 4x  sin 6 x  ...
  2 3 

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 874 Fourier Series

3. Express f (x) = x as a cosine, half range series in 0 < x < 2.

8 1 x 1 3x 1 5x 
Ans. 1  2  2
cos  2 cos  2 cos  ...
 1 2 3 2 5 2 
4. Find the Fourier series of the function
 2 for 4  x  2
f ( x)   x for  2  x  2 
 
 2 for 2  x  4 
4 8 x 2 2 x  4 8  3 x 2 4 x
Ans.  sin  sin    2  sin  sin  ...
 2 4  4  3 3   4 2 4
5. Find the Fourier series to represent
f(x) = x2 – 2 from –2 < x < 2.

2 16  x 1 1 3 x 
Ans.   2 cos 2  cos x  cos ...
3   2 4 9 2 
6. If f (x) = e –x – c < x < c, show that
1  1 x 1 2 x 
f ( x )  (e c  e  c )   c  2 cos  2 cos  ...
 2c  c   2
c c  4  2
c 
 1 x 1 2 x 
  2 sin  sin  ... 
 c  2 c c 2  4 2 c 
7. A sinusodial voltage E sin t is passed through a half wave rectifier which clips the negative portion
of the wave. Develop the resulting portion of the function
T
u (t) = 0 when  t0
2
T  2 
= E sin  t when 0t  T  
2 
E E 2E  1 1 1 
Ans.  sin t   cos 2t  cos 4t  cos 6t  ...
 2  1.3 3.5 5.7 
8. A periodic square wave has a period 4. The function generating the square is
f (t) = 0 for –2 < t < –1
= k for –1 < t < 1
= 0 for 1<t<2
k 2k  t 1 3 t 
Find the Fourier series of the function. Ans. f (t )   cos  cos  ...
2   2 3 2 
9. Find a Fourier series to represent x2 in the interval (–l, l).
l 2 4l 2  cos  x cos 3 x 
Ans.  cos x  22  32 ....
3 2  
12.11. PARSEVAL’S FORMULA
 1  
c 2
c [ f ( x)] 
dx  c  a02   an2  bn2
 2
 
n 1 

a0  n x n x 
Solution. We know that f ( x)     an cos  bn sin  .... (1)
2 n 1  c c 
Multiplying (1) by f(x), we get

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 Fourier Series 875


a0 n x  n x
f ( x)   an f ( x) cos
[ f ( x)]2    bn f ( x)sin .... (2)
2 n 1 c n 1 c
Integrating term by term from –c to c, we have

c a0 c c n x
 [ f ( x)]2 dx   f ( x)dx   an  f ( x) cos
c 2 c
n 1
c c
 c n x
  bn  f ( x) sin dx .... (3)
n 1
c c
We have the following results
1 c c
a0   f ( x) dx  c f ( x)dx  c a0
c c
1 c nx c n x
an   f ( x )  cos dx   f ( x ) cos dx  c an
c  c c c c
1 c nx c n x
c  c 
bn  f ( x ) sin dx  f ( x ) sin dx  c bn
c c c
On putting these integrals in (3), we get
c a02   a2  
 [ f ( x)]2 dx  c   c an2   cbn2  c  0   an2  bn2 
2 n 1
 
 2 n 1
c

This is the Parseval’s formula
2c  a2  
Note. 1. If 0 < x < 2c, then 0 [ f ( x)]2 dx  c  0   an2  bn2
 2 n 1
 

c c  a02  2 
2. If 0 < x < c (Half range cosine series),     an 
[ f ( x)]2 
0 2  2 n 1 
c c  a2  2 
0 [ f ( x)] dx  2  20  
2
3. If 0 < x < c (Half range sine series), bn 
n 1 
1
 b [ f ( x)]2 dx  2
 a 
4. R.M.S. =  
 ba 
 
Example 20. By using the sine series for f(x) = 1 in 0 < x <  show that
2 1 1 1
 1  2  2  2  ....
8 3 5 7
Solution. sine series is f ( x )   bn sin nx
2 
 0
bn  f ( x )sin nx dx

2  2   cos nx  2 2
  (1)sin nx dx     [cos n  1]  [(1)n  1]
 0  n 0 n n
2
 if n is odd.
n
=0 if n is even

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 876 Fourier Series
Then, the sine series is
4 4 4 4
1  sin x  sin 3x  sin 5 x  sin 7 x  .....
 3 5 7
c
2 c 2 2 2 2 2
0 [ f ( x) dx  2 b1  b2  b3  b4  b5  .....
2 2 2 2

2   4   4   4   4  
0 (1) dx         
2     3   5   7 
     .....

  16   1 1 1
 x0   

 2  1  2  2  2  .....
 2     3 5 7 
  16   1 1 1 
   2  1  2  2  2  .....
 
2   3 5 7 
2 1 1 1
 1  2  2  2  ..... Proved.
8 3 5 7
πx , 0< x<1
Example 21. If f ( x)  
π(2 – x) , 1< x < 2
1 1 1 4
using half range cosine series, show that + + +.....=
14 3 4 5 4 96
Solution. Half range cosine series is
a0 n x
f ( x)    an cos
2 c
2 c 2 1 2
where a0   f ( x )dx    x dx   (2  x ) dx 
c 0 
2 0 1 
1 2
 x2   x2     1 
       2 x      (4  2)   2   
 2 0  2 1 2   2 

=
2 c n x
an 
c 0
f ( x ) cos
c
dx

2 1 nx 2 nx 
 
2 0
x cos
2
dx    (2  x) cos
1 2
dx 

1 2
 sin x  n x    nx  n x  
x   cos   sin   cos 
  2  2     (2  c ) 2  (1)  2 
 n n
2 2 2 2
 n     n  
 2     
 4  0 2  4  1
 2 n 4 n 4   4 2 n 4 n 
   sin  2 2 cos  2 2    0  2 2 cos n  sin  2 2 cos 
 n 2 n 2 n   n  n 2 n 2
 8 n 4 4  4  n 
   2 2 cos  2 2  2 2 cos n   2  2 cos  1  cos n 
n  2 n n  n  2 

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 Fourier Series 877
4 4
a1  0, a2  , a3  0, a4  0, a5  0, a6 
 9
c c  a02 
 [ f ( x) 2 dx  2 2 2
  a1  a2  a3  ....
0 2 2 
1 2 2   2 16 16 
 ( x)2 dx    2 (2  x) 2 dx    2 2
 ....
0 1 2  2  81 
1 2
 x3   (2  x )3   2 16 16
2    2     2  ....
3
 0  3 1 2  812

2  1   2 16  1 
 2  0     2 1   .....
3  3 2   81 
2 2  2 16  1 1 
  2 1  4  4  .....
3 2   3 5 
2
 16  1 1 
 1    .....
6  2  34 54 
4 1 1
 1  4  4  ..... Ans.
96 3 5
Example 22. Prove that for 0 < x < 
π 2  cos x cos4x cos 6x 
(a) x(π – x) =
–  2 + 2 + 2 + ....
6  1 2 3 
8  sin x sin 3x sin 5x 
(b) x(π – x) =  2 + 2 + 2 + ....
π  1 3 5 
Deduce from (a) and (b) respectively that
π4 
1 
1 π
(c)
n=1
4
90
n = (d) n
n=1
6
=
945
Solution. Half range cosine series

2  2  x 2 x 3  2  3 3  2
a0   x (  x )        
 0  2 3 0   2 3 3
2 
 0
an  x(  x ) cos nx dx

2 sin nx   cos nx    sin nx  
 ( x  x 2 )  (   2 x)   (2) 
  n  n 2   n 3   0
2   (1)n  2 
 0   0  2    2  [ ( 1)n  1]
 n2 n  n 
4
 when n is even
n2
=0 when n is odd

 2  cos 2 x cos 4 x  2  cos 2 x cos 4 x 

Hence, x ( – x)     ...  x (  x )  4 2   ....
6  12
2
22  6  2 4 

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 878 Fourier Series

By Parseval’s formula
2  2 2 a02
  an2
 0
x (   x ) dx 
2
2  2 2 3 4 1  4  1 1 1 
 0
(  x  2x  x ) dx  
2 9    16  4  4  4  ....
2 4 6 

2  2 x 3 2x 4 x 5  4  1 1 1 
         .....
 3 4 5  0 18 14 24 34 
2  5 25 x 5   4  1 1 1 
         .....
 3 4 5  18 14 24 34 
4 4  1 
1 4
    
15 18 n 1 n4 n 1 n
4
90
(b) Half range sine series
2 
 0
bn  x (  x)sin nx dx

2   cos nx    sin nx  cos nx 
  ( x  x 2 )    (  2 x )  2   ( 2) 3 
  n n n 0
2  ( 1)n 2  4 n
  2 3  3   3  (1)  1
 n n  n
8
 when n is odd
n3 
=0 when n is even.
8  sin x sin 3 x sin 5x 
 x (  x )    13  33  53  ....
 
By Parseval’s formula
2  2
x (  x )2 dx   bn2
 0
 2 64  1 1 1 
 2  6  6  6  ....
15  1 3 5 
4 1 1 1
 6  6 6
960 1 3 5
1 1 1 1 1 1 1   1 1 1 
Let S 6
 6  6  6  ...   6  6  6  .....   6  6  6  ....
1 2 3 4 1 3 5  2 4 6 
4 4
  1 1 1   1 1 1 1 
S   6  6  6  ...   16  26  36  .....
960  2 4 6  960 26  
4 S
S 
960 64
S 4 63S 4
S  or 
64 960 64 960

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 Fourier Series 879

 4 64  4
S  
960 63 945

1 4

n 1 n
6

945
Proved.
Exercise 12.5
1. Prove that 0 < x < c,
c 4c  x 1 3x 1 5x 
x   2  cos  2 cos  2 cos  .....
2   c 3 c 5 c 
and deduce that
1 1 1 4 1 1 1 1 4
(i) 4
 4  4  ...  (ii) 4  4  4  4  ..... 
1 3 5 96 1 2 3 4 90
12.12. FOURIER SERIES IN COMPLEX FORM
Fourier series of a function f(x) of period 2l is
a0 x 2 x n x
f ( x)   a1 cos  a2 cos  ...  an cos  ....
2 l l l
x 2 x n x
b1 sin  b2 sin  ...  bn sin  .... .... (1)
l l l
eix  e  ix e ix  e  ix
We know that cos x  and sin x 
2 2i
On putting the values of cos x and sin x in (1), we get
i x  i x 2 i x 2 i x ix ix 2 i x 2 i x
a e l
e l
e l
e l
e l
e l
e l
e l
f ( x)  0  a1  a2  ....  b1  b2  ....
2 2 2 2i 2i
i x 2 i x  i x 2 i x
a0
  (a1  ib1 )e l  (a2  ib2 )e l  ...  (a1  ib1 )e l  (a2  ib2 )e l  ....
2
i x 2 i x  i x 2 i x
 c0  c1e l
 c2 e l
 ....  c1e l
 c2 e l
 ....
 in x   inx
 c0   cn e l
  c n e l

n 1 n 1

1 1
cn  (an  ibn ), c n  (an  ibn )
2 2
a0 1 1 2l
2 2 l 0
where c0   f ( x ) dx

1 1 2l nx i 2l nx  1 1 2l  nx nx 

cn  
2 l 0
f ( x ) cos
l
dx   f ( x)sin
l 0 l
dx   cn 
 2l 0
f ( x) cos
 l
 i sin
l 
 dx
 inx
1 2l
2l 0
cn  f ( x ) e l
dx
inx
1 2l
c n  
2l 0
f ( x) e l dx

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 880 Fourier Series

Example 23. Obtain the complex form of the Fourier series of the function
0  x0
f ( x)  
1 0 x

1  1
Solution. c0 
2 0
dx 
2
1 
f ( x ) e  inx dx
2  
cn 

 inx 
1  0  inx

 inx   1  e  inx dx  1  e 
2   0  2 0
 0. e dx  1.e dx  
2  in  0
1 1 1
  e in  1   cos n  i sin n  1    (1) n  1
2n i  2ni 2 ni 
 1
 , n is odd
  in
 0, n is even
1 1  e ix e 3ix e 5ix  1  e ix e 3ix e 5ix 
f ( x)       ....      ....
2 i  1 3 5  i    1  3  5 
1 1  ix 1 1 
 
2 i  
 3
  5
 
e  e  ix  e3ix  e 3ix  e5ix  e 5ix  ....

 Ans.

Exercise 12.6
Find the complex form of the Fourier series

( 1)n (1  in)
1. f ( x)  e x ,  1  x  1 Ans. 
n   1 n 2 2
sinh1.einx

2 2  e 2it  e 2it e 4it  e 4 it e 6it  e 6it 

2. ax
f ( x)  e ,  1  x  1 Ans.     1.3 
3.5

5.7
 .....
 
a 
(1) n e inx
3. .f(x) = cos ax, – < x <  sin a 2 Ans. 2
  a  n
12.13 PRACTICAL HARMONIC ANALYSIS
Sometimes the function is not given by a formula, but by a graph or by a table of cor-
responding values. The process of finding the Fourier series for a function given by such
values of the function and independent variable is known as Harmonic Analysis. The Fourier
constants are evaluated by the following formulae :
1 2
 0
(1) a0  f ( x)dx

1 2  1 b 
2
2  0 0
f ( x )dx 

Mean 
ba a
f ( x)dx 

or a0 = 2 [mean value of f(x) in (0, 2, )]
1 2 1 2
(2) an 
 0
f ( x) cos nx dx  2
2  0 0
f ( x ) cos nx dx
bn = 2 [mean value of f (x) cos nx in (0, 2)]

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 Fourier Series 881

1 2 1 2
(3) 
bn 
 0
f ( x) sin nx dx  2 
2  0 0
f ( x) sin nx dx
bn = 2 [mean value of f(x) sin nx in (0, 2 )]
Fundamental of first harmonic. The term (al cos x + b1 sinx) in Fourier series is called the
fundamental or first harmonic.
Second harmonic. The term (a2 cos 2 x + b2 sin 2 x) in Fourier series is called the second
harmonic and so on.
Example 24. Find the Fourier series as far as the second harmonic to represent the func-
tion given by table below :
x 0° 30° 60° 90° 120° 150° 180° 210° 240° 270° 300° 330°
f (x) 2.34 3.01 3.69 4.15 3.69 2.20 0.83 0.51 0.88 1.09 1.19 1.64
Solution
x° sin x sin 2x cos x cos 2x f(x) f (x) f (x) f (x) f (x)
sinx sin2x cosx cos2x
0° 0 0 1 1 2.34 0 0 2.340 2.340
30° 0.50 0.87 0.87 0.50 3.01 1.505 2.619 2.619 1.505
60° 0.87 0.87 0.50 – 0.50 3.69 3.210 3.210 1.845 –1.845
90° 1.00 0 0 –1.00 4.15 4.150 0 0 –4.150
120° 0.87 – 0.87 –0.50 –0.50 3.69 3.210 –3.210 –1.845 –1.845
150° 0.50 –0.87 –0.87 0.50 2.20 1.100 –1.914 –1.914 1.100
180° 0 0 –1 1.00 0.83 0 0 –0.830 0.830
210° –0.50 0.87 –0.87 0.50 0.51 –0.255 0.444 –0.444 0.255
240° –0.87 0.87 –0.50 –0.50 0.88 –0.766 0.766 –0.440 –0.440
270° –1.00 0 0 –1.00 1.09 –1.090 0 0 –1.090
300° –0.87 – 0.87 0.50 –0.50 1.19 –1.035 –1.035 0.595 –0.595
330° –0.50 –0.87 0.87 0.50 1.64 –0.820 –1.427 1.427 0.820
25.22 9.209 –0.547 3.353 –3.115

25.22
a0  2  Mean of f ( x )  2   4.203
12
3.353
a1  2  Mean of f ( x) cos x  2   0.559
12
3.115
a2  2  Mean of f ( x ) cos 2 x  2   0.519
12
9.209
b1  2  Mean of f ( x )sin x  2   1.535
12
0.547
b2  2  Mean of f ( x) sin 2 x  2   0.091
12
Fourier series is
a0
f ( x)   a1 cos x  a2 cos 2 x  ....  b1 sin x  b2 sin 2 x  ....
2
= 2.1015 + 0.559 cos x – 0.519 cos 2x + .... + 1.535 sin x – 0.091 sin 2x + ... Ans.

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 882 Fourier Series

Example 31. A machine completes its cycle of operations every time as certain pulley completes
a revolution. The displacement f (x) of a point on a certain portion of the machine is given in the table
given below for twelve positions of the pulley, x being the angle in degree turned through by the pulley.
Find a Fourier series to represent f (x) for all values of x.
x 30° 60° 90° 120° 150° 180° 210° 240° 270° 300° 330° 360°
f (x) 7.976 8.026 7.204 5.676 3.674 1.764 0.552 0.262 0.904 2.492 4.736 6.824
Solution.
x sin x sin sin cos x cos cos f (x) f (x) × f (x) × f (x) × f (x) × f (x) × f (x) ×
2x 3x 2x 3x sin x sin 2x sin 3x cos x cos 2x cos 3x
30° 0.50 0.87 1 0.87 0.50 0 7.976 3.988 6.939 7.976 6.939 3.988 0
60° 0.87 0.87 0 0.50 – 0.50 – 1 8.026 6.983 6.983 0 4.013 4.013 – 8.026
90° 1.00 0 –1 0 –1 0 7.204 7.204 0 – 7.204 0 – 7.204 0
120° 0.87 – 0.87 0 – 0.50 – 0.50 1 5.676 4.938 – 4.939 0 – 2.838 – 2.838 5.676
150° 0.50 – 0.87 1 – 0.87 0.50 0 3.674 1.837 – 3.196 – 3.196 – 3.196 1.837 0
180° 0 0 0 –1 1 –1 1.764 0 0 – 1.764 – 1.764 1.764 – 1.764
210° – 0.50 0.87 – 1 – 0.87 0.50 0 0.552 – 0.276 0.480 0.480 –0.480 0.276 0
240° – 0.87 0.87 0 – 0.50 – 0.50 1 0.262 – 0.228 0.228 – 0.131 – 0.131 0.131 0.262
270° – 1.00 0 1 0 – 1.00 0 0.904 – 0.904 0 0 0 – 0.904 0
300° – 0.87 – 0.87 0 0.50 – 0.50 – 1 2.492 – 2.168 – 2.168 1.246 1.246 –1.296 – 2.492
330° – 0.50 – 0.87 –1 0.87 0.50 0 4.736 –2.368 – 4.120 4.120 4.120 2.368 0
360° 0 0 0 1 1 1 6.824 0 0 0 6.824 6.824 6.824
 50.09 19.206 0.207 0.062 14.733 0.721 0.460

50.09
a0 = 2 × Mean value of f (x) = 2 = 8.34
12

14.733
a1 = 2 × Mean value of f (x) cos x = 2  = 2.45
12

0.721
a2 = 2 × Mean value of f (x) cos 2x = 2  = 0.12
12

0.460
a3 = 2 × Mean value of f (x) cos 3x = 2  = 0.08
12

19.206
b1 = 2 × Mean value of f (x) sin x = 2  = 3.16
12

0.207
b2 = 2 × Mean value of f (x) sin 2x = 2  = 0.03
12
0.062
b3 = 2 × Mean value of f (x) sin 3x = 2  = 0.01
12

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 Fourier Series 883

Fourier series is
a0
f (x) =  a1 cos x  a2 cos 2 x  a3 cos 3 x  ...  b1 sin x  b2 sin 2 x  b3 sin 3 x  ...
2
= 4.17 + 2.45cos x + 0.12 cos 2 x + 0.08 cos 3 x + ...
+ 3.16 sin x + 0.03 sin 2 x + 0.01sin 3 x + ... Ans.
Example 32. Obtain the constant terms and the coefficients of the first sine and cosine terms
in the Fourier series of f (x) as given in the following table.
x 0 1 2 3 4 5
f (x) 9 18 24 28 26 20

Solution.

x x x x x
x sin cos f (x) f ( x) sin f ( x ) cos
3 3 3 3 3
0 0 0 1.0 9 0 9


1 0.87 0.5 18 15.66 9
3
2
2 0.87 – 0.5 24 20.88 – 12
3
3
3 0 – 1.0 28 0 – 28
3
4
4 – 0.87 – 0.5 26 – 22.62 – 13
3
5
5 – 0.87 0.5 20 – 17.4 10
3
= 125 = – 3.468 = 25
125
a0 = 2 Mean value of f (x) = 2  = 41.67
6
x  25
a1 = 2 Mean value of f (x) cos = 2 = – 8.33
3 6
x  3.48
b1 = 2 Mean value of f (x) sin = 2 = – 1.16
3 6
a0 x x
Fourier series is f (x) =  a1 cos  ...  b1 sin  ...
2 3 3
x x
= 20.84  8.33 cos  ...  1.16 sin  ... Ans.
3 3

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 884 Fourier Series
Exercise 12.7
1. In a machine the displacement f (x) of a given point is given for a certain angle x° as follows:
x° 0° 30° 60° 90° 120° 150° 180° 210° 240° 270° 300° 330°
f(x) 7.9 8.0 7.2 5.6 3.6 1.7 0.5 0.2 0.9 2.5 4.7 6.8
Find the coefficient of sin 2 x in the Fourier series representing the above variations.
Ans. –0.072
2. The displacement f (x) of a part of a machine is tabulated with corresponding angular
moment ‘x’ of the crank. Express f(x) as a Fourier series upto third harmonic.

x° 0° 30° 60° 90° 120° 150° 180° 210° 240° 270° 300° 330°
f (x) 1.80 1.10 0.30 0.16 0.50 1.30 2.16 1.25 1.30 1.52 1.76 2.00

Ans.
f (x) = 1.26 + 0.04 cos x + 0.53 cos 2x – 0.01 cos 3x + ....
–0.63 sin x – 0.23 sin 2x + 0.085 sin 3x +...
3. The following values of y give the displacement in cms of a certain machine part of the
rotation x of the flywheel. Expand f(x) in the form of a Fourier series.
 2 3 4 5
x 0
6 6 6 6 6
f (x) 0 9.2 14.4 17.8 17.3 11.7

Ans. f (x) = 11.733 – 7.733 cos 2 x – 2.833 cos 4 x + .....

–1.566 sin2 x – 0.116 sin4x +...
4. Analyse harmonically the data given below and express y in Fourier series upto the second
harmonic.
 2 4 5
x 0  2
3 3 3 3
y 1.0 1.4 1.9 1.7 1.5 1.2 1.0

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