Chapter 8: Problem 46
Fourier series A finite Fourier series is given by the sum $$\begin{aligned} f(x) &=\sum_{n=1}^{N} a_{n} \sin n x \\ &=a_{1} \sin x+a_{2} \sin 2 x+\cdots+a_{N} \sin N x \end{aligned}$$ Show that the \(m\) th coefficient \(a_{m}\) is given by the formula $$a_{m}=\frac{1}{\pi} \int_{-\pi}^{\pi} f(x) \sin m x d x$$
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Understand the Fourier Series
Define the Goal
Use Orthogonality of Sine Functions
Apply Orthogonality to Isolate \(a_m\)
Evaluate the Integral of \( \sin^2 mx \)
Solve for \(a_m\)
Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!
-
Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
-
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
-
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
-
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.
Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Orthogonality of sine functions
The sine functions you encounter have this special property: over the interval \([-\pi, \pi]\), the integral of the product of two different sine functions is zero. Mathematically, this is expressed as: \[\int_{-\pi}^{\pi} \sin nx \sin mx \; dx = 0 \quad \text{for} \quad n eq m\]
This zero value means that different sine waves don't overlap in this interval.
- This property allows us to find any specific coefficient in the Fourier series. By isolating terms with one particular sine function, we can get rid of all others.
- The only function that affects the integral is the one matched frequency. This makes solving for coefficients like \(a_m\) easier, as demonstrated in the problem.
Integration
This process typically involves the integral over one period of the function, often from \(-\pi\) to \(\pi\) for trigonometric functions. In this exercise, the integral \[\int_{-\pi}^{\pi} f(x) \sin mx \; dx\] is crucial.
- This integral calculates the effect of each sine function component on the total function \(f(x)\).
- Orthogonality helps simplify this process, as only the component with matching frequency (i.e., \(m = n\)) remains significant.
- The result gives the coefficient \(a_m\), necessary for reconstructing the original function using the Fourier series.
Trigonometric identities
For example, regarding the integral of \(\sin^2(mx)\), an identity tells us: \[\sin^2 x = \frac{1 - \cos 2x}{2}\]
Using this can help in evaluating integrals. In our exercise, this identity aids in finding: \[\int_{-\pi}^{\pi} \sin^2(mx) \; dx = \pi\]
- Since the integral of sine squared over the interval yields \(\pi\), we use it to solve for \(a_m\).
- This simplifies calculations and helps verify the periodic nature of sine and cosine functions.