Chapter 7: Problem 75
The quantity \(a_{n}=\frac{1}{\pi} \int_{-\pi} f(x) \sin n x d x\) plays an important role in applied mathematics. Show that if \(f^{\prime}(x)\) is continuous on \([-\pi, \pi],\) then \(\lim _{n \rightarrow \infty} a_{n}=0 .\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The limit of \(a_n\) as \(n\) approaches infinity is zero.
Step by step solution
01
Introduction to the Problem
We are given the quantity \( a_{n} = \frac{1}{\pi} \int_{-\pi}^{\pi} f(x) \sin n x \, dx \) and need to show that \( \lim_{n \rightarrow \infty} a_{n} = 0 \). It involves integrating a product of functions over an interval.
02
Integration by Parts
To evaluate \( a_n \), we use integration by parts. Choose \( u = f(x) \) and \( dv = \sin(nx) \, dx \). Then \( du = f'(x) \, dx \) and \( v = -\frac{1}{n} \cos(nx) \).
03
Apply Integration by Parts
Using the integration by parts formula \( \int u \, dv = uv - \int v \, du \), compute:\[ a_n = \frac{1}{\pi} \left[ -\frac{f(x)}{n} \cos(nx) \right]_{-\pi}^{\pi} + \frac{1}{\pi} \int_{-\pi}^{\pi} \frac{f'(x)}{n} \cos(nx) \, dx \]
04
Evaluate the Boundary Terms
Evaluate \([-\frac{f(x)}{n}\cos(nx)]_{-\pi}^{\pi}\). Since \(\cos(nx)\) is periodic and \(f(x)\) is continuous over \([-\pi, \pi]\), this term approaches zero as \( n \to \infty \).
05
Estimate the Integral Term
For the integral term, apply the fact that \(\frac{1}{\pi} \int_{-\pi}^{\pi} \frac{f'(x)}{n} \cos(nx) \, dx\) can be bounded. Since \( \|f'(x)\| \) is bounded by assumption and \(|\cos(nx)| \leq 1\), the entire integral is bounded by \( \frac{\|f'(x)\|_{max}}{n} \cdot 2\pi\), which approaches zero as \(n\) grows.
06
Conclude the Limit
Since both the boundary term and integral term tend to zero as \(n\) grows, \(\lim_{n \to \infty} a_n = 0\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Fourier Series
The Fourier series is a way to represent a function as a sum of simple sine and cosine terms. It is particularly useful in analyzing periodic functions. This makes it a highly significant tool in both mathematics and engineering. When dealing with a Fourier series, we break down a complex signal into simpler, easily understandable components.
- The Fourier series allows us to express any periodic function as an infinite sum of sines and cosines.
- In our problem, the term \(a_n\) is derived from this concept, and it's part of developing a full Fourier series representation.
- Specifically, \(a_n\) is the coefficient for the sine terms in the Fourier series.
Limit of a Sequence
A sequence is an ordered list of numbers. The concept of limit is fundamental in calculus and analysis. It describes the behavior of sequences or functions as they approach a certain value or infinity.
- The limit of a sequence \(\{a_n\}\) tells us what the sequence approaches as \(n\) becomes very large.
- In this exercise, we prove that the sequence of \(a_n\) approaches zero as \(n \rightarrow \infty\).
- This is done by applying integration by parts, which transforms our integral and allows us to evaluate its limit more easily.
Continuity of Derivative
In calculus, a function is said to have a continuous derivative if its derivative does not have any abrupt changes. This continuous smoothness is required in many mathematical proofs and is a vital condition in exploring certain functions.
- A continuous derivative indicates that the change of a function at any given point is uniform and predictable.
- In our problem, the continuity of the derivative \(f'(x)\) over \([-\pi, \pi]\) plays a key role.
- It ensures that when we estimate the integral term from integration by parts, we can apply bounding methods effectively.