1

LECTURE NOTES OF

ENGINEERING MATHEMATICSIII (Sub Code: MAT31)

COURSE CONTENT
1) Numerical Analysis
2) Fourier Series
3) Fourier Transforms & Z-transforms
4) Partial Differential Equations
5) Linear Algebra
6) Calculus of Variations
Text Book:
Higher Engineering Mathematics by
Dr. B.S.Grewal (36th Edition 2002)
Khanna Publishers,New Delhi
Reference Book:
Advanced Engineering Mathematics by
E. Kreyszig (8th Edition 2001)
John Wiley & Sons, INC. New York

FOURIER SERIES
Dr.A.T.Eswara
Professor and Head
Department of Mathematics
P.E.S.College of Engineering
Mandya -571 401
DEFINITIONS :
A function y = f(x) is said to be even, if f(-x) = f(x). The graph of the even function is
always symmetrical about the y-axis.
A function y=f(x) is said to be odd, if f(-x) = - f(x). The graph of the odd function is always
symmetrical about the origin.
For example, the function f(x) = x in [-1,1] is even as f(-x) = x x = f(x) and the
function f(x) = x in [-1,1] is odd as f(-x) = -x = -f(x). The graphs of these functions are
shown below :

Graph of f(x) = x

Graph of f(x) = x

Note that the graph of f(x) = x is symmetrical about the y-axis and the graph of f(x) = x is
symmetrical about the origin.

1. If f(x) is even and g(x) is odd, then

h(x) = f(x) x g(x) is odd

h(x) = f(x) x f(x) is even
h(x) = g(x) x g(x) is even

For example,
1. h(x) = x2 cosx is even, since both x2 and cosx are even functions
2. h(x) = xsinx is even, since x and sinx are odd functions
3. h(x) = x2 sinx is odd, since x2 is even and sinx is odd.
a

2. If f(x) is even, then

f ( x)dx 2 f ( x)dx
0

f ( x)dx 0

3. If f(x) is odd, then

For example,
a

cos xdx 2 cos xdx,

and

as cosx is even

sin xdx 0, as sinx is odd

PERIODIC FUNCTIONS :A periodic function has a basic shape which is repeated over and over again. The
fundamental range is the time (or sometimes distance) over which the basic shape is defined.
The length of the fundamental range is called the period.
A general periodic function f(x) of period T satisfies the condition
f(x+T) = f(x)
Here f(x) is a real-valued function and T is a positive real number.
As a consequence, it follows that
f(x) = f(x+T) = f(x+2T) = f(x+3T) = .. = f(x+nT)
Thus,
f(x) = f(x+nT), n=1,2,3,..
The function f(x) = sinx is periodic of period 2 since
Sin(x+2n) = sinx, n=1,2,3,..
The graph of the function is shown below :

Note that the graph of the function between 0 and 2 is the same as that between 2 and 4
and so on. It may be verified that a linear combination of periodic functions is also periodic.
FOURIER SERIES
A Fourier series of a periodic function consists of a sum of sine and cosine terms. Sines and
cosines are the most fundamental periodic functions.
The Fourier series is named after the French Mathematician and Physicist Jacques Fourier
(1768 1830). Fourier series has its application in problems pertaining to Heat conduction,
acoustics, etc. The subject matter may be divided into the following sub topics.

FOURIER SERIES

Series with
arbitrary period

Half-range series

Complex series

Harmonic Analysis

FORMULA FOR FOURIER SERIES

Consider a real-valued function f(x) which obeys the following conditions called Dirichlets
conditions :
1. f(x) is defined in an interval (a,a+2l), and f(x+2l) = f(x) so that f(x) is a periodic
function of period 2l.
2. f(x) is continuous or has only a finite number of discontinuities in the interval
(a,a+2l).
3. f(x) has no or only a finite number of maxima or minima in the interval (a,a+2l).
Also, let

a0
an

bn

1
l
1
l

1
l

a 2l

f ( x)dx

(1)

a 2l

a 2l

n
f ( x) cos
l

xdx,

n 1,2,3,..... (2)

n
f ( x) sin
xdx,
l

n 1,2,3,...... (3)

Then, the infinite series

a0
n
n
(4)
an cos
x bn sin
x
2 n 1
l
l
is called the Fourier series of f(x) in the interval (a,a+2l). Also, the real numbers a0, a1, a2,
.an, and b1, b2 , .bn are called the Fourier coefficients of f(x). The formulae (1), (2) and
(3) are called Eulers formulae.

It can be proved that the sum of the series (4) is f(x) if f(x) is continuous at x. Thus we have

a
n
n
f(x) = 0 an cos
(5)
x bn sin
x .
2 n 1
l
l
Suppose f(x) is discontinuous at x, then the sum of the series (4) would be
1
f ( x ) f ( x )
2
where f(x+) and f(x-) are the values of f(x) immediately to the right and to the left of f(x)
respectively.

Particular Cases
Case (i)
Suppose a=0. Then f(x) is defined over the interval (0,2l). Formulae (1), (2), (3) reduce to
2l
1
a0 f ( x)dx
l0

an

1
n
f ( x) cos

l0
l

xdx,

bn

1
n
f ( x) sin

l0
l

xdx,

2l

2l

n 1,2,......

(6)

Then the right-hand side of (5) is the Fourier expansion of f(x) over the interval (0,2l).
If we set l=, then f(x) is defined over the interval (0,2). Formulae (6) reduce to
1
a0 =

an

bn

f ( x)dx
0

f ( x) cos nxdx ,
0

f ( x) sin nxdx

n=1,2,..

(7)

n=1,2,..

Also, in this case, (5) becomes

f(x) =

a0
an cos nx bn sin nx
2 n 1

(8)

Case (ii)
Suppose a=-l. Then f(x) is defined over the interval (-l , l). Formulae (1), (2) (3) reduce to
l

a0

1
f ( x)dx
l l

an

1
n
f ( x) cos
xdx

l l
l
l

n =1,2,

(9)

1
n
f ( x) sin
xdx, n=1,2,

l l
l

l

bn

Then the right-hand side of (5) is the Fourier expansion of f(x) over the interval (-l , l).
If we set l = , then f(x) is defined over the interval (-, ). Formulae (9) reduce to

a0 =

1
f ( x)dx

1
an f ( x) cos nxdx
,

bn

1
f ( x) sin nxdx

n=1,2,..

(10)

n=1,2,..

Putting l = in (5), we get

f(x) =

a0
an cos nx bn sin nx
2 n 1

PARTIAL SUMS
The Fourier series gives the exact value of the function. It uses an infinite number of terms
which is impossible to calculate. However, we can find the sum through the partial sum SN
defined as follows :
n N

n
n
S N ( x) a0 an cos
x bn sin
x where N takes positive
l
l
n 1
integral values.
In particular, the partial sums for N=1,2 are
x
x
S1 ( x) a0 a1 cos b1 sin
l
l
x
x
2x
2x
S 2 ( x) a0 a1 cos b1 sin a2 cos
b2 sin

l
l
l
l
If we draw the graphs of partial sums and compare these with the graph of the original
function f(x), it may be verified that SN(x) approximates f(x) for some large N.

Some useful results :

1. The following rule called Bernoullis generalized rule of integration by parts is useful in
evaluating the Fourier coefficients.
'
''
uvdx uv1 u v2 u v3 .......
Here u , u ,.. are the successive derivatives of u and
v1 vdx, v2 v1dx,......

We illustrate the rule, through the following examples :

sin nx cos nx
2
2 cos nx
x sin nxdx x n 2 x n2 2 n3
2x
2x

e2 x e2 x
3 2x
3 e
2 e

x
e
dx

3
x

6
x

2
4

8 16

2.

The following integrals are also useful :

e ax
a cos bx b sin bx
a 2 b2
e ax
ax
a sin bx b cos bx
e
sin
bxdx

a 2 b2
ax
e cos bxdx

3. If n is integer, then
sin n = 0 ,

cosn = (-1)n ,

sin2n = 0,

Examples
1. Obtain the Fourier expansion of
f(x) =

1
x in - < x <
2

We have,

1
1 1
a0 f ( x)dx ( x)dx

1
=
2

x2

an

1
1 1
f ( x) cos nxdx ( x) cos nxdx

Here we use integration by parts, so that

1
an
2

cos nx
sin nx

(1)
x

2
n

1
0 0
2

1 1
bn ( x) sin nxdx
2
1

cos nx
sin nx
(1)

x n
2
n

(1) n
n

Using the values of a0 , an and bn in the Fourier expansion

f ( x)
we get,

a0
an cos nx bn sin nx
2 n 1
n 1

cos2n=1

(1) n

sin nx
2 n 1 n
This is the required Fourier expansion of the given function.

f ( x)

2. Obtain the Fourier expansion of f(x)=e-ax in the interval (-, ). Deduce that

cos ech

2 (1) n

n2 n2 1

Here,

a0

1 ax
1 e ax
e
dx

e a e a 2 sinh a

a
a

1
an e ax cos nxdx

1 e ax
a cos nx n sin nx
an 2
2
a n

2a (1) n sinh a

a 2 n2

bn =

1 ax
e sin nxdx

1 e ax
a sin nx n cos nx
2
2
a n

2n (1) n sinh a

a 2 n2

Thus,

sinh a 2a sinh a
f(x) =

For x=0, a=1, the series reduces to

sinh 2 sinh
f(0)=1 =

(1) n
2
n(1) n
cos nx sinh a 2
sin nx

2
2
2

n 1 a n
n 1 a n

(1) n

2
n 1 n 1

or
1=

sinh 2 sinh

1 (1) n
2
2 n 2 n 1

or

2 sinh

1=

(1) n

2
n2 n 1

Thus,

(1) n
2
n2 n 1

cos ech 2
This is the desired deduction.

3. Obtain the Fourier expansion of f(x) = x2 over the interval (-, ). Deduce that
2
1
1
1 2 2 ......
6
2
3
The function f(x) is even. Hence

1
2
a0 = f ( x)dx = f ( x)dx

0

2
2 x3
= x 2 dx
0
3 0

2 2
3

a0

or

1
an

f ( x) cos nxdx

2
= f ( x) cos nxdx, since f(x)cosnx is even
0

2
= x 2 cos nxdx
0
Integrating by parts, we get

2 sin nx
cos nx sin nx
an x 2
2 x
2

2
3
n
n
n
0

4(1) n
n2

Also,
Thus

1
bn f ( x) sin nxdx 0

since f(x)sinnx is odd.

10

f ( x)
2

2
(1) n cos nx
4
3
n2
n 1

2
1
4 2
3
n 1 n

1 2
1 n 2 6

Hence,

2
1
1
1 2 2 .....
6
2
3

4. Obtain the Fourier expansion of

x ,0 x
f ( x)
2 x, x 2

Deduce that

2
1 1
1 2 2 ......
8
3 5
The graph of f(x) is shown below.

Here OA represents the line f(x)=x, AB represents the

line f(x)=(2-x) and AC represents the line x=. Note
that the graph is symmetrical about the line AC, which
in turn is parallel to y-axis. Hence the function f(x) is
an even function.
Here,

a0 =

1
2
f ( x)dx = f ( x)dx

2
xdx
0

1
an

2
f ( x) cos nxdx 0 f ( x) cos nxdx

2
x cos nxdx
= 0

since f(x)cosnx is even.

11

2 sin nx cos nx
x n 1 n 2

0
=

2
(1) n 1
2
n

Also,

1
f ( x) sin nxdx 0 , since f(x)sinnx is odd

Thus the Fourier series of f(x) is
bn

f ( x)

2 1

(1) n 1 cos nx
2 n 1 n 2

For x= , we get

or

2 1

(1) n 1 cos n
2 n 1 n 2
2 2 cos(2n 1)

2 n 1
(2n 1) 2
f ( )

Thus,

2
1

2
8
n 1 ( 2n 1)

2
1 1
1 2 2 ......
8
3 5
This is the series as required.
or

5. Obtain the Fourier expansion of

, x 0
f(x) =
x ,0 x
Deduce that
2
1 1
1 2 2 ......
8
3 5
Here,

a0

dx

xdx

2
0

an

cos
nxdx

x cos nxdx

1
(1) n 1
n 2

12

1
sin nxdx x sin nxdx

0

bn

1
1 2(1) n
n

Fourier series is

1 1
1 2(1) n
2 (1) n 1 cos nx
sin nx
4 n 1 n
n
n 1
Note that the point x=0 is a point of discontinuity of f(x). Here f(x +) =0, f(x-)=- at x=0.
1
1

Hence
[ f ( x ) f ( x )] 0
2
2
2
The Fourier expansion of f(x) at x=0 becomes
1 1

2 [(1) n 1]
2
4 n 1 n

f(x) =

or

2
1
2 [(1) n 1]
4
n 1 n

Simplifying we get,
2
1 1
1 2 2 ......
8
3 5
6. Obtain the Fourier series of f(x) = 1-x2 over the interval (-1,1).
The given function is even, as f(-x) = f(x). Also period of f(x) is 1-(-1)=2
Here
1

a0 =

1
f ( x)dx = 2 f ( x)dx
1 1
0
1

x3
= 2 (1 x )dx 2 x
3 0

0
4

3
1
1
an f ( x) cos(nx)dx
1 1
1

2 f ( x) cos(nx)dx

as f(x) cos(nx) is even

= 2 (1 x 2 ) cos(nx)dx
0

Integrating by parts, we get

an 2 1 x 2

cos nx
sin nx
sin nx
(2)

(2 x)
2
3
n
( n )
( n ) 0

13

4(1) n1
n 2 2
1
1
bn f ( x) sin( nx)dx
1 1

=0, since f(x)sin(nx) is odd.

The Fourier series of f(x) is

f(x) =

2 4 (1) n 1

cos(nx)

3 2 n 1 n 2

7. Obtain the Fourier expansion of

3
4x
1 3 in 2 x 0

f(x) = 4 x
3
1 in0 x

3
2
Deduce that

2
1 1
1 2 2 ......
8
3 5

3 3

3
2 2
f(-x) = f(x). Hence f(x) is even

The period of f(x) is

Also

3/ 2

1
2
a0
f ( x)dx

3 / 2 3 / 2
3/ 2

4
3

3/ 2

1
0

3/ 2

f ( x)dx
0

4x
dx 0
3

1
nx
an
f ( x) cos
dx

3 / 2 3 / 2
3/ 2
3/ 2

2
3/ 2

3/ 2

2nx
dx
3

f ( x) cos
0

2nx
cos 2nx
sin

4 4x
3 4
3
1

3
3 2 n
3 2n

4
= 2 2 1 (1) n
n

Also,

3/ 2

14

3
nx
1 2
dx 0
bn f ( x) sin
3
3 3
2
2

Thus
f(x) =

4 1
2 n x
1 (1) n cos

2 2
n 1 n
3

putting x=0, we get

4 1
1 (1)n
2 n 1 n 2
8
1 1

1 = 2 1 2 2 ......
3 5

1 1
1 2 2 ......
8
3 5
f(0) =

or
Thus,

NOTE
Here verify the validity of Fourier expansion through partial sums by considering an
example. We recall that the Fourier expansion of f(x) = x2 over (- , ) is

f ( x)

2
(1) n cos nx
4
3
n2
n 1

Let us define
n N
2
(1) n cos nx
4
3
n2
n 1
The partial sums corresponding to N = 1,2,..6
2
S1 ( x)
4 cos x
3
2
S 2 ( x)
4 cos x cos 2 x
are
3

S N ( x)

2
4
1
4
1
S6 ( x)
4 cos x cos 2 x cos 3 x cos 4 x cos 5 x cos 5 x
3
9
4
25
9
The graphs of S1 , S2 , S6 against the graph of f(x) = x2 are plotted individually and shown
below :

15

On comparison, we find that the graph of f(x) = x2 coincides with that of S6 (x). This verifies
the validity of Fourier expansion for the function considered.
Exercise
Check for the validity of Fourier expansion through partial sums along with relevant graphs
for other examples also.
HALF-RANGE FOURIER SERIES
The Fourier expansion of the periodic function f(x) of period 2l may contain both sine and
cosine terms. Many a time it is required to obtain the Fourier expansion of f(x) in the interval
(0,l) which is regarded as half interval. The definition can be extended to the other half in
such a manner that the function becomes even or odd. This will result in cosine series or sine
series only.
Sine series :
Suppose f(x) = (x) is given in the interval (0,l). Then we define f(x) = -(-x) in (-l,0).
Hence f(x) becomes an odd function in (-l , l). The Fourier series then is

n x
f ( x) bn sin

l
n 1
l
2
nx
where
bn f ( x) sin
dx
l 0
l
The series (11) is called half-range sine series over (0,l).

(11)

Putting l= in (11), we obtain the half-range sine series of f(x) over (0,) given by

16

f ( x) bn sin nx
n 1

bn

2
f ( x) sin nxdx
0

Cosine series :
Let us define

( x)
f ( x)
( x)

in (0,l) .....given
in (-l,0) ..in order to make the function even.

Then the Fourier series of f(x) is given by

a
nx
f ( x) 0 an cos

2 n 1
l
where,
l
2
a0 f ( x)dx
l 0

(12)

2
n x
f ( x) cos
dx

l 0
l
The series (12) is called half-range cosine series over (0,l)
l

an

Putting l = in (12), we get

f ( x)

a0
a n cos nx
2 n 1

where

a0

2
f ( x) dx
0

an

2
f ( x) cos nxdx
0

n 1,2,3, ..

Examples :
1. Expand f(x) = x(-x) as half-range sine series over the interval (0,).
We have,
bn

2
f ( x) sin nxdx
0

2
(x x 2 ) sin nxdx
0
Integrating by parts, we get

17

2
cos nx
sin nx
cos nx
bn x x 2
2 x
(2) 3
2

n 0
4
3 1 (1) n
n
The sine series of f(x) is
4 1
f ( x) 3 1 (1) n sin nx
n 1 n

2. Obtain the cosine series of

x ,0 x

2
f ( x)

x, x
2

over (0, )

Here

2 2

a0
xdx

x
)
dx

2
0

2 2
an x cos nxdx ( x) cos nxdx

Performing integration by parts and simplifying, we get

2
n
an 2 1 (1) n 2 cos

n
2

8
, n 2,6,10,.....
n 2
Thus, the Fourier cosine series is
2 cos 2 x cos 6 x cos10 x

f(x) = 2

......
2
2
4 1
3
5

3. Obtain the half-range cosine series of f(x) = c-x in 0<x<c

Here
c

a0

2
(c x)dx c
c 0

2
nx
(c x) cos
dx

c0
c
Integrating by parts and simplifying we get,
c

an

18

2c
1 (1) n
n 2 2
The cosine series is given by
an

f(x) =

c 2c 1
n x
2 2 1 (1) n cos

2 n 1 n
c

Exercices:
Obtain the Fourier series of the following functions over the specified intervals :

x2
over (-, )
4
2. f(x) = 2x + 3x2 over (-, )
1. f(x) = x

x
3. f(x) =

over (0, 2 )

1 1
1 .......
4
3 5
2

1 1
5. f(x) = x over (-, ) ; Deduce that
2 2 .......
8 1 3
x, x 0
6. f(x) =
over (-, )
x,0 x
Deduce that
2 1 1
.......
8 12 32
1, x 0

7. f(x) = 0, x 0
over (-, )
1,0 x

4. f(x) = x over (-, ) ; Deduce that

1 1
1 .......
4
3 5
8. f(x) = x sinx over 0 x 2 ; Deduce that

1
3

2
4
n2 n 1
0,2 x 0
9. f(x) =
over (-2 , 2)
a ,0 x 2
10. f(x) = x(2-x) over (0,3)
11. f(x) = x2 over (-1,1)
x,0 x 1
12. f(x) =
(2 x),1 x 2

Deduce that

19

Obtain the half-range sine series of the following functions over the specified intervals :
13. f(x) = cosx over (0,)
14. f(x) = sin3x over (0,)
15. f(x) = lx-x2 over (0 , l)
Obtain the half-range cosine series of the following functions over the specified intervals :
16. f(x) = x2 over (0,)
17. f(x) = xsinx over (0,)
18. f(x) = (x-1)2 over (0,1)
l

kx,0 x 2
19. f(x) =
k (l x), l x l

HARMONIC ANALYSIS
The Fourier series of a known function f(x) in a given interval may be found by finding the
Fourier coefficients. The method described cannot be employed when f(x) is not known
explicitly, but defined through the values of the function at some equidistant points. In such a
case, the integrals in Eulers formulae cannot be evaluated. Harmonic analysis is the process
of finding the Fourier coefficients numerically.
To derive the relevant formulae for Fourier coefficients in Harmonic analysis, we employ the
following result :
The mean value of a continuous function f(x) over the interval (a,b) denoted by [f(x)] is
b
1
f ( x)
f ( x)dx .
defined as
b a a
The Fourier coefficients defined through Eulers formulae, (1), (2), (3) may be redefined as
1 a 2l

a0 2
f ( x)dx 2[ f ( x)]

2l a

a 2l
1

n x
n x
an 2
f ( x) cos
dx 2 f ( x) cos

l
l

2l a
1 a 2l

n x
n x
bn 2
f ( x) sin
dx 2 f ( x) sin

l
l

2l a
Using these in (5), we obtain the Fourier series of f(x). The term a1cosx+b1sinx is called the
first harmonic or fundamental harmonic, the term a 2cos2x+b2sin2x is called the second
harmonic and so on. The amplitude of the first harmonic is
harmonic is

a b and so on.
2
2

2
2

a12 b12

and that of second

20

Examples
1. Find the first two harmonics of the Fourier series of f(x) given the following table :

2
4
5
2

3
3
3
3
f(x)
1.0
1.4
1.9
1.7
1.5
1.2
1.0
Note that the values of y = f(x) are spread over the interval 0 x 2 and f(0) = f(2) = 1.0.
Hence the function is periodic and so we omit the last value f(2) = 0. We prepare the
following table to compute the first two harmonics.

x0

y = f(x)

cosx

cos2x

sinx

sin2x

ycosx

ycos2
x

ysinx

ysin2x

1.0

60

1.4

0.5

-0.5

0.866

0.866

0.7

-0.7

1.2124

1.2124

120

1.9

-0.5

-0.5

0.866

-0.866

-0.95

-0.95

1.6454

-1.6454

180

1.7

-1

-1.7

1.7

240

1.5

-0.5

-0.5

-0.866

0.866

-0.75

-0.75

1.299

1.299

300

1.2

0.5

-0.5

-0.866

-0.866

0.6

-0.6

-1.0392

-1.0392

-1.1

-0.3

3.1176

-0.1732

Total

We have

nx
an 2 f ( x) cos
2[ y cos nx]
l

as the length of interval= 2l = 2 or l=

nx
bn 2 f ( x) sin
2[ y sin nx]
l

Putting, n=1,2, we get

2 y cos x

2(1.1)
0.367
6
6
2 y cos 2 x 2(0.3)
a2 2[ y cos 2 x]

0 . 1
6
6
a1 2[ y cos x]

21

b1 [ y sin x]

2 y sin x

b2 [ y sin 2 x]

1.0392

2 y sin 2 x

0.0577
6
The first two harmonics are a1cosx+b1sinx and a2cos2x+b2sin2x. That is (-0.367cosx +
1.0392 sinx) and (-0.1cos2x 0.0577sin2x)
2. Express y as a Fourier series upto the third harmonic given the following values :

x
y

0
4

1
8

2
15

3
7

4
6

5
2

The values of y at x=0,1,2,3,4,5 are given and hence the interval of x should be 0 x < 6. The
length of the interval = 6-0 = 6, so that 2l = 6 or l = 3.
The Fourier series upto the third harmonic is

a0
x
x
2x
2x
3x
3x
a1 cos b1 sin a2 cos
b2 sin
b3 sin
a3 cos

2
l
l
l
l
l
l

a0
x
x
2x
2x
3x
3x
a1 cos b1 sin a2 cos
b2 sin
b3 sin
a3 cos

2
3
3
3
3
3
3

or

x
, then
3
a
y 0 a1 cos b1 sin a2 cos 2 b2 sin 2 a3 cos 3 b3 sin 3
2
We prepare the following table using the given values :

Put

x
3

(1)

ycos

ycos2

ycos3

ysin

ysin2

ysin3

04

600

08

-4

-8

6.928

6.928

1200

15

-7.5

-7.5

15

12.99

-12.99

1800

07

-7

-7

2400

06

-3

-3

-5.196

5.196

3000

02

-1

-2

-1.732

-1.732

42

-8.5

-4.5

12.99

-2.598

Total

22

a0 2[ f ( x)] 2[ y ]

2 y
6

1
(42) 14
3

2
(8.5) 2.833
6
2
b1 2[ y sin ] (12.99) 4.33
6
2
a2 2[ y cos 2 ] (4.5) 1.5
6
2
b2 2[ y sin 2 ] (2.598) 0.866
6
2
a3 2[ y cos 3 ] (8) 2.667
6
b3 2[ y sin 3 ] 0
a1 2[ y cos ]

Using these in (1), we get

x
x
2x
2x
y 7 2,833 cos (4.33) sin 1.5 cos
0.866 sin
2.667 cos x
3
3
3
3
This is the required Fourier series upto the third harmonic.

3. The following table gives the variations of a periodic current A over a period T :
t(secs)

T/6

T/3

T/2

2T/3

5T/6

A (amp)

1.98

1.30

1.05

1.30

-0.88

-0.25

1.98

Show that there is a constant part of 0.75amp. in the current A and obtain the amplitude of the
first harmonic.
Note that the values of A at t=0 and t=T are the same. Hence A(t) is a periodic function of
2
period T. Let us denote
t . We have
T
a0 2[ A]

2
a1 2 A cos
t 2[ A cos ]
T

2
b1 2 A sin
T

We prepare the following table:

t 2[ A sin ]

(1)

23

2t
T

cos

sin

Acos

Asin

1.98

1.98

T/6

600

1.30

0.5

0.866

0.65

1.1258

T/3

1200

1.05

-0.5

0.866

-0.525

0.9093

T/2

1800

1.30

-1

-1.30

2T/3

2400

-0.88

-0.5

-0.866

0.44

0.7621

5T/6

3000

-0.25

0.5

-0.866

-0.125

0.2165

1.12

3.0137

Total

4.5

Using the values of the table in (1), we get

2 A

4 .5
1 .5
6
3
2 A cos 1.12
a1

0.3733
6
3
2 A sin 3.0137
b1

1.0046
6
3
The Fourier expansion upto the first harmonic is
a0

a0
2t
2t
a1 cos
b1 sin

2
T
T

2t
2t
0.75 0.3733 cos
1.0046 sin

T
T
The expression shows that A has a constant part 0.75 in it. Also the amplitude of the first

harmonic is

a12 b12 = 1.0717.

24

ASSIGNMENT :
1. The displacement y of a part of a mechanism is tabulated with corresponding angular
movement x0 of the crank. Express y as a Fourier series upto the third harmonic.
x0

30

60

90

120

150

180

210

240

270

300

330

1.80

1.10

0.30

0.16

1.50

1.30

2.16

1.25

1.30

1.52

1.76

2.00

2. Obtain the Fourier series of y upto the second harmonic using the following table :
x0

45

90

135

180

225

270

315

360

4.0

3.8

2.4

2.0

-1.5

2.8

3.4

3. Obtain the constant term and the coefficients of the first sine and cosine terms in the
Fourier expansion of y as given in the following table :
x

18

24

28

26

20

4. Find the Fourier series of y upto the second harmonic from the following table :
x

10

12

9.0

18.2

24.4

27.8

27.5

22.0

9.0

5. Obtain the first three coefficients in the Fourier cosine series for y, where y is given in the
following table :
x

15

6. The turning moment T is given for a series of values of the crank angle 0 = 750 .

25

30

60

90

120

150

180

5224

8097

7850

5499

2626

Obtain the first four terms in a series of sines to represent T and calculate T at = 750 .