Lectures

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Mathematic (III)
Fourier series

Let us assume that f ( x ) is a periodic function of period 2 which can represented by

the trigonometric series

f ( x )  a0    an cos nx  bn sin nx  (1)
n 1
Given such a function f ( x ) , we want to determine the coefficients an and bn in the
corresponding series

1
a0 
2  f ( x )dx (2)


1
an 
  f ( x )cos nx dx (3)


1
bn 
  f ( x )sin nx dx (4)

Example (1):
Find the Fourier series of the periodic function f ( x ) where
  k when    x  0
f ( x)  
 k when 0  x  
and f ( x )  f ( x  2 )

( 1)n 1
Hence find the sum of the series  (2n  1)
.
n 1
Solution:
the graph of the given function as a periodic function with period 2 shown in the
following

f ( x)

  2 x
 Fourier series
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Functions of this type may occur as external force acting on mechanical system,
electromotive force in electric circuits, etc
From(2)
 
1  
0
1
2  2    
a0  f ( x )dx    kdx  kdx
   0 
 
k 
0
   dx   dx  
k  0 
  x  x
2 
  0 
 2   0 

k
       0 (i )
2

From (3)

1
an 
  f ( x )cos nx dx

0  
1
   (  k )cos nx dx   ( k )cos nx dx 
 
  0
1  k 0 k 
  sin nx   sin nx 0 
 n n 
1  k k 
  sin 0  sin(  n )  sin( n )  sin 0  0 ( ii )
 n n 
and from (4)
 
1 
0
1
b n   f ( x )sin nx dx    ( k )sin nx dx   (k )sin nx dx 
     0 
1 k 0 k 
  cos nx   cos nx 0 
 n n 
k
 cos0  cos(n )  cos(n )  cos0
n 
2k 2k
 cos0  cos(n   1  ( 1)n 
n n

 0 for n iseven
2k  n 
bn  1  ( 1)    4k
n   n for n isodd
Hence

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Mathematics III
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4k
b2 n 1  , n  1, 2, 3,... ( iii )
(2n  1)
4k 4k 4k
b1  , b3  , b5  ,...
 3 5
Substitute from (i),(ii) and (iii)in (1)

4k
f ( x)   (2n  1)
sin(2n  1) x
n 1
and the partial sums are

4k
S1  sin x ,


10

S1
k 5


-3 -2 -1 0 0 1 2 3
x

-5
k
-10

4k  1 
S2   sin x  sin 3 x  ,
  3 

10

S2
k5

 -3 -2 -1 0 0 1
x
2

3

-5 k

-10

4k  1 1 
S3   sin x  sin 3 x  sin 5 x 
  3 5 

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 Fourier series
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10

S3
k
5

 -3 -2 -1 0 0 1
x
2 3

-5 k

-10


Assuming that f ( x ) is the sum of the series and setting x  we have
2
 
 4k  4k ( 1)n 1
f( )k   sin(2n  1)  
2 n 1
(2 n  1) 2 n 1 (2n  1)

( 1)n 1 
 
n 1
(2 n  1) 4

Even and odd functions:

Fourier cosine series

The Fourier series of an even function f ( t ) having period
2T is a Fourier cosine series in the form.


n
f ( t )  a0   an cos T t (10)
n 1
With coefficients
T
1
a0 
T  f (t )dt (11)
0
T
2 n t
an 
T  f ( t )cos
T
dt , n  1,2,3,... (12)
0
n t
Since the function f ( t ) is even then f ( t )sin is an odd function hence
T
T
2 n t
bn 
T  f ( t )sin
T
dt  0, n  1,2,3,...
0

Fourier sin series

The Fourier series of an odd function f ( t ) having period 2T is a Fourier sine
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Mathematics III
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
n
series in the form. f ( t )   bn sin t (13)
n 1 T
With coefficients
T
2 n t
bn 
T  f ( t )sin
T
dt , n  1,2,3,... (14)
0
n t
T
1
Since the function f ( t ) is odd then a0   f ( t )dt  0 and f ( t )cos is an odd
T0 T
function hence
T
2 n t
an 
T  f ( t )cos
T
dt  0, n  1,2,3,...
0

Example (4):
Find the Fourier series of the function
f ( x )  x when    x   and f ( x )  f ( x  2 ).
Solution:
Since the function is an odd then the it be represented as Fourier sine series

f ( x )   bn sin nx
n 1

f ( x)

  x

 
2 2
bn 
  f ( x )sin nx dx 
  x sin nx dx
0 0

2  cos nx sin nx  2   cos n  2
  x       ( 1)n 1
 n n 0  
2 n  n
 
( 1)n 1
 f ( x )   bn sin nx  2  sin nx
n 1 n 1
n
 1 1 1 
 2 sin x  sin 2 x  sin 3 x  sin 4 x  ... 
 2 3 4 

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