CHAPTER 2

FOURIER SERIES
PERIODIC FUNCTIONS
A function ) (x f is said to have a period T if for all x, ) ( ) ( x f T x f = + , where T is a
positive constant. The least value of T>0 is called the period of ) (x f .

EXAMPLES
We know that ) (x f = sin x = sin (x + 4t ) = Therefore the function has period 2t ,
4t , 6t , etc. However, 2 is the least value and therefore is the period of f(x).
Similarly cos x is a periodic function with the period 2t and tan x has period t .

DIRICHLETS CONDITIONS
A function ) (x f defined in c s x s c+2l can be expanded as an infinite trigonometric
series of the form
2
o
a
+

+ , sin cos
l
x n
b
l
x n
a
n n
t t
provided
1. ) (x f is single- valued and finite in (c , c+2l)
2. ) (x f is continuous or piecewise continuous with finite number of finite
discontinuities in (c , c+2l).
3. ) (x f has no or finite number of maxima or minima in (c , c+2l).

EULERS FORMULAS
If a function ) (x f defined in (c , c+2l) can be expanded as the infinite trigonometric
series
2
o
a
+
l
x n
b
l
x n
a
n
n
n
n
t t
sin cos
1 1


=

=
+ then
0 , cos ) (
1
2
> =
}
+
n dx
l
x n
x f
l
a
l c
c
n
t

1 , sin ) (
1
2
> =
}
+
n dx
l
x n
x f
l
b
l c
c
n
t

[ Formulas given above for
n
a and
n
b are called Eulers formulas for Fourier coefficients]

2



DEFINITION OF FOURIER SERIES
The infinite trigonometric series
2
o
a
+
l
x n
b
l
x n
a
n
n
n
n
t t
sin cos
1 1


=

=
+ is called the
Fourier series of ) (x f in the interval c s x s c+2l, provided the coefficients are given by the
Eulers formulas.
EVEN FUNCTION
If ) (x f = ) (x | in (-l , l) such that ) ( x | = ) (x | , then ) (x f is said to be an even
function of x in (-l , l).
If

=
) , 0 ( ) (
) 0 , ( ) (
) (
2
1
l in x
l in x
x f
|
|

Such that ) (
1
x | = ) (
2
x | or ) (
2
x | = ) (
1
x | , then ) (x f is said to be an even function of x in
(-l , l).
EXAMPLE
y = cos x , y =
2
x are even functions.

ODD FUNCTION
If ) (x f = ) (x | in (-l , l) such that ) ( x | = - ) (x | , then ) (x f is said to be an odd
function of x in (-l , l).
If

=
) , 0 ( ) (
) 0 , ( ) (
) (
2
1
l in x
l in x
x f
|
|

Such that ) (
1
x | = - ) (
2
x | or ) (
2
x | = - ) (
1
x | , then ) (x f is said to be an odd function of x in
(-l , l).
EXAMPLE
y = sin x , y = x are odd functions.






3
FOURIER SERIES OF EVEN AND ODD FUNCTIONS
1. The Fourier series of an even function ) (x f in (-l , l) contains only cosine terms
(constant term included), i.e. the Fourier series of an even function ) (x f in (-l , l) is
given by
) (x f =
2
o
a
+ , cos
l
x n
a
n
t

where . cos ) (
2
0
dx
l
x n
x f
l
a
l
n
}
=
t

2. The Fourier series of an odd function ) (x f in (-l , l) contains only sine terms, i.e.
the Fourier series of an odd function ) (x f in (-l , l) is given by
) (x f =
l
x n
b
n
t
sin

,
where . sin ) (
2
0
dx
l
x n
x f
l
b
l
n
}
=
t

PROBLEMS
1. Find the Fourier series of period 2l for the function ) (x f = x(2l x) in (0 , 2l). Deduce
the sum of ) (x f = +
2 2 2
3
1
2
1
1
1

Solution:
Let ) (x f =
2
o
a
+
l
x n
b
l
x n
a
n
n
n
n
t t
sin cos
1 1


=

=
+ in (0 , 2l) (1)
dx
l
x n
x l x
l
a
l
n
}
=
2
0
cos ) 2 (
1 t

,
sin
) 2 (
cos
) 2 2 (
sin
) 2 (
1
2
0
3
3 3
2
2 2
2
l
l
n
l
x n
l
n
l
x n
x l
l
n
l
x n
x lx
l
(
(
(
(

|
|
|
|
.
|

\
|

+
|
|
|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
t
t
t
t
t
t

using Bernoullis formula.
= | |
2 2
2
2 2
4
2 2 cos 2
1
t
t
t n
l
l n l
n
=
4
.
3
4
3
1
) 2 (
1
2
2
0
3
2
2
0
l
x
lx
l
dx x l x
l
a
l
l
o
=
(

= =
}

dx
l
x n
x l x
l
b
l
n
}
=
2
0
sin ) 2 (
1 t

= 0
Using these values in (1), we have
x (2l - x) =

1
2 2
2
2
cos
1 4
3
2
n
l
x n
n
l
l
t
t
in (0, 2l) ..(2)
The required series +
2 2 2
3
1
2
1
1
1
can be obtained by putting x = l in the Fourier
series in (2).
x = l lies in (0 , 2l) and is a point of continuity of the function ) (x f = x(2l x).
| Sum the Fourier series in (2) |
1 = x
= f(l)
i.e. t
t
n
n
l
l
n
cos
1 4
3
2
1
2 2
2
2

=
= l(2l - l)
i.e.. -
3
...
3
1
2
1
1
1 4
2
2 2 2 2
2
l l
=
)
`

+ +
t

+
2 2 2
3
1
2
1
1
1
=
12
2
t


2. Find the Fourier series of period 2t for the function ) (x f = x cos x in 0 < x < 2t .
Solution:
Let ) (x f =
2
o
a
+ nx b nx a
n
n
n
n
sin cos
1 1


=

=
+ ...(1)
dx nx x x a
n
}
=
t
t
2
0
cos cos
1

| |
,
) 1 (
) 1 cos(
1
) 1 sin(
.
) 1 (
) 1 cos(
1
) 1 sin(
.
2
1
) 1 cos( ) 1 cos(
2
1
2
0
2
2
0
2
2
0
(
(

)
`

+
)
`

+
+
+
+
+
=
+ + =
}
t t
t
t
t
n
x n
n
x n
x
n
x n
n
x n
x
dx x n x n x

if n= 1
5
=0, if n = 1

o
a = 0

} }
+ = =
t t
t t
2
0
2
0
2
) 2 cos 1 (
2
1
cos
1
dx x x dx x x a
n

.
4
2 cos
2
2 sin
2 2
1
2
0
2
t
t
t
=
(

+ + =
x x
x
x


dx nx x x b
n
}
=
t
t
2
0
sin cos
1

| |
,
) 1 (
) 1 sin(
1
) 1 cos(
.
) 1 (
) 1 sin(
1
) 1 cos(
.
2
1
) 1 sin( ) 1 sin(
2
1
2
0
2
2
0
2
2
0
(
(

)
`

+
)
`

+
+
+
+
+
=
+ + =
}
t t
t
t
t
n
x n
n
x n
x
n
x n
n
x n
x
dx x n x n x
if n= 1
=
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2

=
)
`

+
+
=

n
n
n n n n
, if n = 1

t t
t
2
1
sin cos
1
2
0
1
= =
}
dx x x x b
}
t 2
0
2 sin xdx x
=
2
1
4
2 sin
2
2 cos
2
1
2
0
=
(

+ |
.
|

\
|
t
t
x x
x
Using these values in (1), we get
f(x) =

=


,... 3 , 2
2
sin
1
2 sin
2
1
cos
n
nx
n
n
x x t

3. Find the Fourier series expansion of ) (x f = sin ax in (-l , l).
Solution:
Since ) (x f is defined in a range of length 2l, we can expand ) (x f in Fourier series of
period 2l.
Also ) ( x f = sin[a(-x)] = -sin ax = - ) (x f
) (x f is an odd function of x in (-l , l).
Hence Fourier series of ) (x f will not contain cosine terms.
6
Let ) (x f =
l
x n
b
n
n
t
sin
1

=
.(1)

l
l
a
l
n
x a
l
n
a
l
n
x a
l
n
l
dx x a
l
n
a
l
n
l
0
0
sin sin
1
cos cos
1
(
(
(
(

+
|
.
|

\
|
+

|
.
|

\
|

=
(

|
.
|

\
|
+ |
.
|

\
|
=
}
t
t
t
t
t t


{ } { }
2 2 2 2
1
1
sin 2 ) 1 (
1 1
sin ) 1 (
sin ) 1 (
1
sin ) 1 (
1
sin
1
sin
1
l a n
al n
al n al n
al
al
al n
al
al n
l a
l
n
la n
l a
l
n
la n
n
n
n n

=
)
`

+
+

=
|
.
|

\
|
+
+
|
.
|

\
|

=
+
+
t
t
t t
t t
t
t
t
t

Using these values in (1), we get

=
+

=
1
2 2 2 2
1
sin
) 1 (
sin 2 sin
n
n
l
x n
l a n
n
al ax
t
t
t
4. Find the Fourier series expansion of ) (x f = ) , ( t t

in e
x
. Hence obtain a series for
cosect
Solution:
Though the range ) , ( t t is symmetric about the origin,
x
e

is neither an even function

=
+ ....(1)
in ) , ( t t | | t 2 is range the of length the

7

( )
( )
{ }
t
t
t
t
t
t t
t
t
t
t
sinh
) 1 (
) 1 ( 2
) 1 ( ) 1 (
1
1
sin cos
1
1
cos
1
2
2
2
+

=

+
=
)
`

+
+
=
=

}
n
e e
n
nx n nx
n
e
dx nx e a
n
n n
x
x
n


t
t sinh 2
=
o
a


( )
t
t
t
t
t
t

)
`

+
=
=
}
nx n nx
n
e
nxdx e b
x
x
n
cos sin
1
1
sin
1
2


( )
{ }
t
t
t
t t
sinh
) 1 (
) 1 ( 2
) 1 ( ) 1 (
1
2
2
+

=

+
=

n
n
e e
n
n
n
n n

Using these values in (1), we get
x
e

=
+

+
+

+
1 1
2 2
sin
1
) 1 ( sinh 2
cos
1
) 1 ( sinh 2 sinh
n n
n n
nx
n
n
nx
n t
t
t
t
t
t
in ) , ( t t
| | ), 0 ( ) (
0
f x f of series Fourier the of Sum
x
=
=

[Since x=0 is a point of continuity of f(x)]
i.e., 1
1
) 1 (
2 1
sinh
0
1
2
= =
(

e
n
n
n
t
t

i.e.,

=
+

+
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
2
2
1
) 1 (
2
2
1
2 1 cos
n
n
n
echt t
i.e.,

=
+

=
2
2
1
) 1 ( 2
cos
n
n
n
ech
t
t


8
HALF-RANGE FOURIER SERIES AND PARSEVALS THEOREM
(i) The half range cosine series in (0 , l) is
) (x f =
2
o
a
+

=1
cos
n
n
l
x n
a
t

where . ) (
2
0
dx x f
l
a
l
o
}
=
. cos ) (
2
0
dx
l
x n
x f
l
a
l
n
}
=
t

(ii) The half range sine series in (0 , l) is
) (x f =

=1
sin
n
n
l
x n
b
t
,
where . sin ) (
2
0
dx
l
x n
x f
l
b
l
n
}
=
t

(iii) The half range cosine series in (0 , t ) is given by

) (x f =
2
o
a
+

=1
cos
n
n
nx a
where . ) (
2
0
dx x f a
o
}
=
t
t

. cos ) (
2
0
dx nx x f a
n
}
=
t
t

(iv) The half range sine series in (0 , t ) is given by

) (x f =

=1
sin
n
n
nx b ,
where . sin ) (
2
0
dx nx x f b
n
}
=
t
t







9
ROOT-MEAN SQUARE VALUE OF A FUNCTION
Definition
If a function y = ) (x f is defined in (c , c+2l), then dx y
l
l c
c
}
+2
2
2
1
is called the root mean-
square(R.M.S.) value of y in (c , c+2l) and is denoted by . y
Thus .
2
1
2
2
2
}
+
=
l c
c
dx y
l
y
PARSEVALS THEOREM
If y = ) (x f can be expanded as a Fourier series of the form
2
o
a
+
l
x n
b
l
x n
a
n
n
n
n
t t
sin cos
1 1


=

=
+ in (c , c+2l), then the root-mean square value y of y = ) (x f
in (c , c+2l) is given by



=

=
+ + =
1
2
1
2 2
2
2
1
2
1
4
1
n
n
n
n o
b a a y
PROOF
) (x f =
2
o
a
+
l
x n
b
l
x n
a
n
n
n
n
t t
sin cos
1 1


=

=
+ in (c , c+2l) .....(1)
By Eulers formulas for the Fourier coefficients,
0 , cos ) (
1
2
> =
}
+
n dx
l
x n
x f
l
a
l c
c
n
t
..(2)
1 , sin ) (
1
2
> =
}
+
n dx
l
x n
x f
l
b
l c
c
n
t
......(3)
Now, by definition,
x d y
l
y
l c
c
}
+
=
2
2
2
2
1
= | |
}
+ l c
c
dx x f
l
2
2
) (
2
1

= , sin cos
2
) (
2
1
1 1
2
dx
l
x n
b
l
x n
a
a
x f
l
n n
n n
o
l c
c
(

+ +

}

=

=
+
t t
using (1)
= +
)
`

+
(

}
+

=
+ l c
c
n
n
l c
c
o
dx
l
x n
x f
l
a
dx x f
l
a
2
1
2
cos ) (
1
2
) (
1
4
t
)
`

=
l c
c
n
n
dx
l
x n
x f
l
b
2
1
sin ) (
1
2
t

=
n
n
n
o
o
a
a
a
a
.
2
.
4
1

=
+

=
+
1
.
2
n
n
n
b
b
, by using (2) and (3)
10
=

=
+
1
2 2
2 4
n
n o
a a

=
+
1
2
.
2
n
n
b

EXAMPLES
1. Find the half-range (i) cosine series and (ii) sine series for ) (x f =
2
x in (0 , t )
Solution:
(i) To get the half-range cosine series for ) (x f in (0 , t ), we should give an even
extension for ) (x f in ( t , 0).
i.e. put ) (x f = ( )
2
x =
2
x in ( t , 0)
Now ) (x f is even in ( t , t ).
) (x f =
2
o
a
+

=1
cos
n
n
nx a .(1)
. cos ) (
2
0
dx nx x f a
n
}
=
t
t


dx nx x
}
=
t
t
0
2
cos
2


0 ,
) 1 ( 4
) 1 ( .
4
sin
2
cos
2
sin 2
2 2
0
3 2
2
=

= =
(

|
.
|

\
|
+
|
.
|

\
|

|
.
|

\
|
=
n
n n
n
nx
n
nx
x
n
nx
x
n
n
t
t
t
t


} }
= = =
t t
t
t t
0
2 2
0
3
2 2
) (
2
dx x dx x f a
o

The Fourier half-range cosine series of
2
x is given by
nx
n
x
n
n
cos
) 1 (
4
3
1
2
2
2

+ =
t
in (0 , t ).
(ii) To get the half-range sine series of ) (x f in (0 , t ), we should give an odd extension
for ) (x f in (-t , 0).
i.e. Put ) (x f = - ( )
2
x in (-t , 0)
= -
2
x in (-t , 0)
Now ) (x f is odd in (-t , t ).
11
) (x f =

=1
sin
n
n
nx b .(2)

} }
= =
t t
t t
0
2
0
sin
2
sin ) (
2
nxdx x dx nx x f b
n

{ }

=
(

+ =
(

|
.
|

\
|
+ |
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
+
even is n if
odd is n if
n n
n n
n
nx
n
nx
x
n
nx
x
n
n n
,
,
4 2
1 ) 1 (
2
) 1 (
2
cos
2
sin
2
cos 2
2
3
2
3
1
2
0
3 2
2
t
t
t
t
t
t
t

Using this value in(2), we get the half-range sine series of
2
x in (0 , t ).

2. Find the half-range sine series of ) (x f = sin ax in (0 , l).
Solution:
We give an odd extension for ) (x f in (-l , 0).
i.e. we put ) (x f = -sin[a(-x)] = sin ax in (-l , 0)
) (x f is odd in (-l , l)
Let ) (x f =

=1
sin
n
n
l
x n
b
t

dx
l
x n
ax
l
b
l
n
}
=
0
sin . sin
2 t


l
l
a
l
n
x a
l
n
a
l
n
x a
l
n
l
dx x a
l
n
x a
l
n
l
0
0
sin sin
1
cos cos
1
(
(
(
(

|
.
|

\
|
+
|
.
|

\
|
+

|
.
|

\
|

|
.
|

\
|

=
(

|
.
|

\
|
+ |
.
|

\
|
=
}
t
t
t
t
t t

( ) ( ) al n
al n
al n
al n
n
+
+

=
+
t
t
t
t
sin
1
sin ) 1 (
1
1

12

2 2 2 2
1
1 1
2
. sin ) 1 (
sin ) 1 (
1
sin ) 1 (
1
l a n
n
al
al
al n
al
al n
n
n n

+
+

=
+
+ +
t
t
t t

Using this values in (1), we get the half-range sine series as

=
+

=
1
2 2 2 2
1
sin
. ) 1 (
sin 2 sin
n
n
l
x n
l a n
n
al ax
t
t
t
3. Find the half-range cosine series of ) (x f = a in (0 , l). Deduce the sum of
+ + +
2 2 2
5
1
3
1
1
1
.
Solution:
Giving an odd extension for ) (x f in (-l , 0), ) (x f is made an odd function in (-l , l).
Let f(x) =

l
x n
b
n
t
sin ..(1)
dx
l
x n
a
l
b
l
n
}
=
0
sin
2 t


( ) { }
n
l
n
a
l
n
l
x n
l
a
1 1
2
cos
2
0
=

=
t
t
t

=
even is n if
odd is n if
n
a
, 0
,
4
t

Using this value in (1), we get
a = ) , 0 ( sin
1 4
5 , 3 , 1
l in
l
x n
n
a
n

=
t
t

Since the series whose sum is required contains constant multiples of squares of
n
b , we apply
Parsevals theorem.
| |

}
=
l
n
dx x f
l
b
0
2 2
) (
1
2
1

13

( )
( )
( )
.
8
1 2
1
1 2
1 8
. .
1 2
1 16
.
2
1
. .
2
1
2
2
1
2 2
2
2
5 , 3 , 1
2 2
2
t
t
t
=

=
n
n
n
n
a
n
a
e i
a
n
a
e i

4. Expand ) (x f = x -
2
x as a Fourier series in -1 < x < 1 and using this series find the
r.m.s. value of ) (x f in the interval.
Solution:
The Fourier series of ) (x f in (-1 , -1) is given by
) (x f =
2
o
a
+ x n b x n a
n
n
n
n
t t sin cos
1 1


=

=
+ .(1)

( )
) 2 ......( .......... ..........
3
2
3
1
2
1
3
1
2
1
3 2
) (
1
1
1
1
3 2
1
1
1
1
2

=
|
.
|

\
|
+ |
.
|

\
|
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
= =

} }
o
o
a
x x
dx x x dx x f a

( )
( ) ( )
1
1
3 2
2
1
1
1
1
2
sin
) 2 (
cos
2 1
sin
cos cos ) (
1
1

|
.
|

\
|
+ |
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
= =
} }
n
x n
n
x n
x
n
x n
x x
dx x n x x dx x n x f a
n
t t t
t t


2 2
cos 3 cos
n
n
n
n t t

=

2
cos 4
n
n
a
n
t
= .(3)
14

( )
( ) ( )
) 4 ......( .......... ..........
) 1 ( 2
cos 2 cos 2 cos 2
cos
) 2 (
sin
2 1
cos
sin sin ) (
1
1
1
3 3 3 3
1
1
3 3 2 2
2
1
1
1
1
2
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t t
n
b
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
x n
n
x n
x
n
x n
x x
dx x n x x dx x n x f b
n
n
n
+

=
+

=
(

|
.
|

\
|
+
|
.
|

\
|

|
.
|

\
|
=
= =
} }

Substituting (2), (3), (4) in (1) we get
) (x f = x n
n
x n
n
n
n
n
n
t
t
t sin
) 1 ( 2
cos
) 1 ( 4
3
1
1
1
1
2
1


=
+
=
+

+
We know that r.m.s. value of f(x) in (-l , l) is



=

=
+ + =
1
2
1
2 2
2
2
1
2
1
4
1
n
n
n
n o
b a a y .(5)
From (2) we get

9
4
3
2
2
=

=
o o
a a ...(6)
From (3) we get

4
2
2
1
16 ) 1 ( 4
n
a
n
a
n
n
n
=

=
+
..(7)
From (4) we get

2 2
2
1
4 ) 1 ( 2
t t n
b
n
b
n
n
n
=

=
+
..(8)
Substituting (6), (7) and (8) in (5) we get

=
|
.
|

\
|
+ + =
1
2 2 4
2 4 16
2
1
9
1
n
n n
y
t

5. Find the Fourier series for ) (x f =
2
x in . t t < < x Hence show that
90 3
1
2
1
1
1
4
4 4 4
t
= + + +
Solution:
The Fourier series of ) (x f in (-1 , 1) is given by
) (x f =
3
2
t
+

1
2
cos
) 1 ( 4
n
n
nx
n

15
The co-efficients
n n o
b a a , , are
0 ,
) 1 ( 4
,
3
2
2
2
=

= =
n
n
n o
b
n
a a
t

Parsevals theorem is

| | ( )
| | ( )

=
(

+ =
|
|
.
|

\
|
(
(

+ + =
+ + =
1
4
5 5
1
4
4 5
1
2 2
2
2
2
1
2 2 2 2
16
9
2
5
2
., .
16
2
1
9
2
5
., .
2
1
4
2
2
1
4
1
) (
2
1
n
n
n
n n
o
n
n n o
n
e i
n
x
e i
b a
a
dx x
b a a dx x f
t
t t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t


90
1
., .
16
45
8
4
1
4
1
4
4
t
t
=
=

=
n
n
n
e i
n

i.e., + + +
2 2 2
5
1
3
1
1
1
=
90
4
t


HARMONIC ANALYSIS
The process of finding the Fourier series for a function given by numerical value is
known as harmonic analysis. In harmonic analysis the Fourier coefficients
n n o
b and a a , , of the
function y = ) (x f in (0 , 2t ) are given by

o
a = 2[mean value of y in (0 , 2t )]

n
a = 2[mean value of y cos nx in (0 , 2t )]

n
b = 2[mean value of y sin nx in (0 , 2t )]
(i) Suppose the function ) (x f is defined in the interval (0 , 2l), then its Fourier series is,
) (x f =
2
o
a
+
l
x n
b
l
x n
a
n
n
n
n
t t
sin cos
1 1


=

=
+
and now,
o
a = 2[mean value of y in (0 , 2l)]

n
a =
(

) 2 , 0 ( cos 2 l in
l
x n
y of value mean
t

16

n
b =
(

) 2 , 0 ( sin 2 l in
l
x n
y of value mean
t

(ii) If the half range Fourier sine series of ) (x f in (0 , l) is,
) (x f =
l
x n
b
n
n
t
sin
1

=
, then

n
b =
(

) , 0 ( sin 2 l in
l
x n
y of value mean
t

(iii) If the half range Fourier sine series of ) (x f in (0 , t ) is,
) (x f =
l
x n
b
n
n
t
sin
1

=
, then


n
b = | | ) , 0 ( sin 2 t in nx y of value mean
(iv) If the half range Fourier cosine series of ) (x f in (0 , l) is,
) (x f =
2
o
a
+
l
x n
a
n
n
t
cos
1

=
, then

o
a = 2[mean value of y in (0 , l)]

n
a =
(

) , 0 ( cos 2 l in
l
x n
y of value mean
t

(v) If the half range Fourier cosine series of ) (x f in (0 , t ) is,
) (x f =
2
o
a
+
l
x n
a
n
n
t
cos
1

=
, then

o
a = 2[mean value of y in (0 , t )]


n
a = | | ) , 0 ( cos 2 t in nx y of value mean .
EXAMPLES
1. The following table gives the variations of a periodic function over a period T.
x 0
6
T

3
T

2
T

3
2T

6
5T

T
) (x f 1.98 1.3 1.05 1.3 -0.88 -0.25 1.98
Show that ) (x f = 0.75 + 0.37 u cos +1.004 u sin , where
T
x t
u
2
=
Solution:
17
Here the last value is a mere repetition of the first therefore we omit that value and
consider the remaining 6 values. n = 6.
Given
T
x t
u
2
= ....(1)
when x takes the values of 0,
6
T
,
3
T
,
2
T
,
3
2T
,
6
5T
u takes the values 0,
3
t
,
3
2t
,
t ,
3
4t
,
3
5t
. (By using (1))
Let the Fourier series be of the form
, sin cos
2
) (
1 1
u u b a
a
x f
o
+ + = (2)
where , 2
|
|
.
|

\
|
=

n
y
a
o

,
cos
2
1
|
|
.
|

\
|
=

n
y
a
u

,
sin
2
1
|
|
.
|

\
|
=

n
y
b
u
n = 6
u y cosu sinu y cosu y sinu
0 1.98 1.0 0 1.98 0
3 t

1.30 0.500 0.866 0.65 1.1258
3 2t
1.05 -0,500 0.866 -0.525 0.9093
t 1.30 -1 0 -1.3 0
3 4t
-0.88 -0.500 -0.866 0.44 0.762
3 5t
-0.25 0.500 -0.866 -0.125 0.2165
4.6 1.12 3.013

00456 . 1 sin
6
2
37 . 0 cos
6
2
, 5 . 1
6
2
1
1
= =
= = =
|
|
.
|

\
|
=

u
u
y b
y a
y
a
o

Substituting these values of
1 1
, , b and a a
o
in (2), we get
) (x f = 0.75 + 0.37 cosu + 1.004 sinu
18
2. Find the Fourier series upto the third harmonic for the function y = ) (x f defined in
(0 , t ) from the table
x 0
6
t

6
2t

6
3t

6
4t

6
5t

t
) (x f 2.34 2.2 1.6 0.83 0.51 0.88 1.19
Solution:
We can express the given data in a half range Fourier sine series.
x b x b x b x f 3 sin 2 sin sin ) (
3 2 1
+ + = .....(1)
x y = f(0) sin x sin 2x sin 3x y sin x y sin 2x y sin 3x
0 2.34 0 0 0 0 0 0
30 2.2 0.5 0.87 1 1.1 1.91 2.2
60 1.6 0.87 0.87 0 1.392 1.392 0
90 0.83 1 0 -1 0.83 0 -0.83
120 0.51 0.87 -0.87 0 0.44 -0.44 0
150 0.88 0.5 -0.87 1 0.44 0.76 0.88
180 1.19 0 0 0 0 0 0
4.202 3.622 2.25
Now | | 40 . 1 202 . 4
3
1
6
sin
2
1
= =
(
(

=

x y
b
| | 207 . 1 622 . 3
3
1
6
2 sin
2
2
= =
(
(

=

x y
b
| | 75 . 0 25 . 2
3
1
6
3 sin
2
3
= =
(
(

=

x y
b
Substituting these values in (1), we get

) (x f = 1.4 sin x + 1.21 sin 2x + 0.75 sin 3x
3. Compute the first two harmonics of the Fourier series for f(x) from the following data




x 0 30 60 90 120 150 180
) (x f 0 5224 8097 7850 5499 2626 0
19
Solution:
Here the length of the interval is . t we can express the given data in a half range
Fourier sine series
i.e., x b x b x f 2 sin sin ) (
2 1
+ = (1)
x y sin x sin 2x
0 0 0 0
30 5224 .5 0.87
60 8097 0.87 0.87
90 7850 1 0
120 5499 0.87 -0.87
150 2626 0.5 -0.87
Now 84 . 7867
6
sin
2
1
=
(
(

=

x y
b
84 . 1506
6
2 sin
2
2
=
(
(

=

x y
b
) (x f = 7867.84 sin x + 1506.84 sin 2x
4. Find the Fourier series as far as the second harmonic to represent the function given in
the following data.
x 0 1 2 3 4 5
) (x f 9 18 24 28 26 20
Solution:
Here the length of the interval is 6 (not 2t )
i.e., 2l = 6 or l = 3
The Fourier series is

3
2
sin
3
sin
3
2
cos
3
cos
2
) (
2 1 2 1
x
b
x
b
x
a
x
a
a
x f
o
t t t t
+ + + + = ..(1)


x
3
x t

3
2 x t


y
3
cos
x
y
t

3
sin
x
y
t

3
2
cos
x
y
t

3
2
sin
x
y
t

0 0 0 9 9 0 9 0
20
1
3 t 3 2t
18 9 15.7 -9 15.6
2
3 2 t 3 4t
24 -12 20.9 -24 0
3
t
t 2 28 -28 0 28 0
4
3 4t 3 8t
26 -13 -22.6 -13 22.6
5
3 5t 3 10t
20 10 -17.4 -10 -17.4
125 -25 -3.4 -19 20.8

( )
13 . 1
3
sin
6
2
33 . 8
3
cos
6
2
, 66 . 41
6
125 2
6
2
1
1
= =
= =
= =
|
|
.
|

\
|
=

x
y b
x
y a
y
a Now
o
t
t

= = 33 . 6
3
2
cos
6
2
2
x
y a
t

9 . 6
3
2
sin
6
2
2
= =

x
y b
t

Substituting these values of
2 2 1 1
, , , b and a b a a
o
in (1), we get

3
2
sin 9 . 6
3
sin 13 . 1
3
2
cos 33 . 6
3
cos 33 . 8
2
66 . 41
) (
x x x x
x f
t t t t
+ =
COMPLEX FORM OF FOURIER SERIES
The equation of the form
l x in
n
n
e c x f
t

=
= ) (
is called the complex form or exponential form of the Fourier series of ) (x f in (c , c+2l). The
coefficient
n
c is given by

}
+

=
l c
c
l x in
n
dx e x f
l
c
2
) (
2
1
t

When l = t , the complex form of Fourier series of ) (x f in (c , c+2t ) takes the form
, ) (
inx
n
n
e c x f

=
= where
. ) (
2
1
2
}
+

=
t
t
c
c
inx
n
dx e x f c
21
PROBLEMS
1. Find the complex form of the Fourier series of ) (x f =
x
e in (0 , 2).
Solution:
Since 2l = 2 or l = 1, the complex form of the Fourier series is

x in
n
n
e c x f
t

=
= ) (

}

=
2
0
) (
2
1
dx e x f c
x in
n
t


( )
2
0
1
2
0
1 2
1
2
1
(

=
=

}
t
t
t
in
e
dx e e
x in
x in x


( )
( )
{ } 1
1 2
1
1 2

=
t
t
in
e
in


( )
( )
( ) { }
( )( )
( )
2 2
2
2
2 2
1 2
1 1
1 2 sin 2 cos
1 2
1
t
t
t t
t
t
n
in e
n i n e
n
in
+
+
=

+
+
=

Using this value in (1), we get

( )
( )

=
+
+
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
n
x in x
e
n
in e
e
t
t
t
2 2
2
1
1
2
1

2. Find the complex form of the Fourier series of ) (x f = sin x in (0 , t ).
Solution:
Here 2l = t or l = 2 t .
The complex form of Fourier series is

nx i
n
n
e c x f
2
) (

=
= ..(1)

22
{ }
( )
| |
( ) 1 4
2
1
1 4
1
cos sin 2
4 1
1
sin
1
2
2
2
0
2
2
0
2

=
(

=
=

}
n
e
n
x x n i
n
e
dx xe c
nx i
nx i
nx i
n
t t
t
t
t
t

Using this value in (1), we get

=

=
n
nx i
e
n
x
2
2
.
1 4
1 2
sin
t
in (0 , t )
3. Find the complex form of the Fourier series of ) (x f =
ax
e

in (-l , l).
Solution:
Let the complex form of the Fourier series be

l x in
n
n
e c x f
t

=
= ) (

}

=
l
l
l x in
n
dx e x f
l
c
t
) (
2
1



}

=
l
l
l x in ax
dx e e
l
t
2
1


( )
( )
( )
l
l
l x in al
l
l
l x in al
l in al
e
l
dx e
l

+
(

+
=
=
}
t
t
t
2
1
2
1
/


( )
( ) ( )
| |
( )
| |
| |
( )
2 2 2 2
) 1 ( . sinh
) 1 ( sinh
) 1 ( sin cos
) 1 ( ) 1 (
2
1
2
1
t
t
t
t t
t
t
t
t t
n l a
in al al
in al
al
n i n e
e e
in al
e e
in al
n
n
n in
n al n al
in al in al
+

=
+

=
= =

+
=

+
=

+ +

Using this value in (1), we have
23

( )
l x in
n
n
ax
e
n l a
in al
al e
t
t
t

+

=
2 2 2 2
) 1 (
sinh in (-l , l)
4. Find the complex form of the Fourier series of ) (x f = cos ax in (-t , t ), where a is
neither zero nor an integer.
Solution:
Here 2l = 2t or l = t .
The complex form of Fourier series is

inx
n
n
e c x f

=
= ) ( .(1)

{ }
t
t
t
t
t
t

=
=
}
ax a ax in
n a
e
dx e ax c
inx
inx
n
sin cos
2
1
. cos
2
1
2 2


( )
( ) ( ) | |
( )
t
t
t t t t
t
t t
a a
n a
a a a in e a a a in e
n a
n
in in
sin 2 ) 1 (
2
1
sin cos sin cos
2
1
2 2
2 2

=
+

=


Using this value in (1), we get

=
n
inx
n
e
n a
a a
ax
2 2
) 1 ( sin
cos
t
t
in (-t , t ).

UNIT 2
PART A
1. Determine the value of
n
a in the Fourier series expansion of . ) (
3
t t < < = x in x x f
Ans:
3
) ( x x f = is an odd function.
0 =
n
a
2. Find the root mean square value of
2
) ( x x f = in the interval ) , 0 ( t .
Ans:
RMS Vale of
2
) ( x x f = in ) , 0 ( t is
24
| |
5 5
1
5
1 1 1
4 5
0
5
0
4
0
2
2
2
t t
t
t t t
t
t t
=
(

=
|
|
.
|

\
|
= = =
} }
x
dx x dx x y

3. Find the coefficient
5
b of x 5 cos in the Fourier cosine series of the function x x f 5 sin ) ( = in
the interval ) 2 , 0 ( t
Ans: Here x x f 5 sin ) ( =
Fourier cosine series is
) (x f =
2
o
a
+ nx a
n
n
cos
1

=
, where
| |
0
5
) 5 cos(
5
) 5 cos( 1
) 5 sin( ) 5 sin(
2
2
cos 5 sin
2
cos ) (
2
0
0
0 0
=
(

+
+
+
=
+ + =
= =
}
} }
t
t
t t
t
t
t t
n
x n
n
x n
dx x n x n
dx nx x dx nx x f a
n

4. If

s <
< <
=
t t
t
2 , 50
0 , cos
) (
x if
x if x
x f and ) 2 ( ) ( t + = x f x f for all x, find the sum of the Fourier
series of ) (x f at t = x .
Ans: Here t is a point of discontinuity.
The sum of the Fourier series is equal to the average of right hand and left hand limit of the
given function at t = x .

i.e.,
2
) 0 ( ) 0 (
) (
+ +
=
t t
t
f f
f

2
49
2
50 cos
=
+
=
t

5. Find
n
b in the expansion of
2
x as a Fourier series in ) , ( t t .
Ans:
n
b = 0
Since
2
) ( x x f = is an even function in ) , ( t t .
6. If ) (x f is an odd function defined in (-l , l) what are the values of
0
a
25
Ans:
0
a = 0
0 =
n
a since ) (x f is an odd function.
7. Find the Fourier constants
n
b for x xsin in ) , ( t t .
Ans:
n
b = 0
Since x x x f sin ) ( = is an even function in ) , ( t t .
8. State Parsevals identity for the half-range cosine expansion of ) (x f in (0 , 1).
Ans:
| |
}

=
+ =
1
0
1
2
2
0
2
2
) ( 2
n
n
a
a
dx x f
where

}
}
=
=
1
0
1
0
0
cos ) ( 2
) ( 2
dx nx x f a
dx x f a
n

9. Find the constant term in the Fourier series expansion of x x f = ) ( in ) , ( t t .
Ans:

0
a = 0 since ) (x f is an odd function in ) , ( t t .
10. State Dirichlets conditions for Fourier series.
Ans:
(i) ) (x f is defined and single valued except possibly at a finite number of points in ) , ( t t .
(ii) ) (x f is periodic with period 2t .
(iii) ) (x f and ) (x f ' are piecewise continuous in ) , ( t t .
Then the Fourier series of ) (x f converges to
(a) ) (x f if x is a point of continuity
(b)
2
) 0 ( ) 0 ( + + x f x f
if x is a point of discontinuity.
11. What you mean by Harmonic Analysis?
Ans:
26
The process of finding the Fourier series for a function given by numerical value is
known as harmonic analysis. In harmonic analysis the Fourier coefficients
n n o
b and a a , , of the
function y = ) (x f in (0 , 2t ) are given by


o
a = 2[mean value of y in (0 , 2t )]

n
a = 2[mean value of y cos nx in (0 , 2t )]

n
b = 2[mean value of y sin nx in (0 , 2t )]
12. In the Fourier expansion of

< <
< < +
=
t
t
t
t
x
x
x
x
x f
0 ,
2
1
0 ,
2
1
) ( in ) , ( t t . Find the value of
n
b ,
the coefficient of sin nx.
Ans:
Since ) (x f is an even function the value of
n
b = 0.
(

= + =

= s s s s ) (
2
1
) ( 2
1 ) ( , 0 ., . 0 x f
x x
x f x e i x In
t t
t t
13. What is the constant term and the coefficient of
n
a nx, cos in the Fourier expansion of
3
) ( x x x f = in (-7 , 7)?
Ans:
Given
3
) ( x x x f =
) ( ) ( ) (
3 3
x f x x x x x f = = + =
The given function is an odd function. Hence
n
a and a
0
are zero.

14. State Parsevals identity for full range expansion of ) (x f as Fourier series in (0 , 2l).
Ans:
| | . ) (
2
1
2
2
}
+ l c
c
dx x f
l
=

=
+
1
2 2
2 4
n
n o
a a

=
+
1
2
.
2
n
n
b

where
0 , cos ) (
1
2
> =
}
+
n dx
l
x n
x f
l
a
l c
c
n
t

27
1 , sin ) (
1
2
> =
}
+
n dx
l
x n
x f
l
b
l c
c
n
t

15. Find a Fourier sine series for the function ) (x f = 1; 0 < x < t .
Ans:
The Fourier sine series of

=
=
1
sin ) (
n
n
nx b x f .(1)

( )

}
}

=
=
=
=
=
|
.
|

\
|
= =
=
, 5 , 3 , 1
0 0
0
sin .
4
) (
' ' ,
4
' ' , 0
1 ) 1 (
2 cos 2
sin
2
sin ) (
2
n
n
n
n
n
n
x f
odd is n when
n
even is n when b
n n
nx
dx nx
dx nx x f b
t
t
t
t t t
t
t
t
t

16. If the Fourier series for the function

< <
< <
=
t
t
2 0 sin
0 0
) (
x x
x
x f is
x
x x
x f sin
2
1
5 . 3
4 cos
3 . 1
2 cos 2 1
) ( +
(

+ + +

=
t t
Deduce that .
4
2
7 . 5
1
5 . 3
1
3 . 1
1
= +
t

Ans:
Putting
2
t
= x we get

2
1
7 . 5
1
5 . 3
1
3 . 1
1 2 1
2
+
(

+ + +

= |
.
|

\
|

t t
t
f

2
1
7 . 5
1
5 . 3
1
3 . 1
1 2 1
0 +
(

+ + +

=
t t

.
4
2
7 . 5
1
5 . 3
1
3 . 1
1
= +
t

17. Define Root mean square value of a function?
Ans:
28
If a function y = ) (x f is defined in (c , c+2l), then dx y
l
l c
c
}
+2
2
2
1
is called the root mean-
square(R.M.S.) value of y in (c , c+2l) and is denoted by . y
Thus .
2
1
2
2
2
}
+
=
l c
c
dx y
l
y
18. If x x x f + =
2
) ( is expressed as a Fourier series in the interval (-2 , 2), to which value this
series converges at x = 2.
Ans:
Since x = 2 is a point of continuity, the Fourier series converges to the arithmetic mean of
) (x f at x = -2 and x = 2
i.e., 4
2
2 4 2 4
2
) 2 ( ) 2 (
=
+ +
=
+ f f

19. If the Fourier series corresponding to x x f = ) ( in the interval ) 2 , 0 ( t is

=
+ +
1
0
), sin cos (
2
n
n n
nx b nx a
a
without finding the values of
n n
b a a ,
, 0
find the value of

=
+ +
1
2 2
2
0
). (
2
n
n n
b a
a

Ans:
By using Parsevals identity,
.
3
8
3
1 1
) (
2
2
2
0
3 2
0
2
1
2 2
2
0
t
t t
t
t
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
= = + +
}

=
x
dx x b a
a
n
n n

20. Find the constant term in the Fourier series corresponding to x x f
2
cos ) ( = expressed in the
interval ) , ( t t .
Ans:
Given x x f
2
cos ) ( =
Now 1
2
2 sin 1
2
2 cos 1 1
cos
1
0
2
0
=
(

+ = |
.
|

\
| +
= =
} }

t
t
t
t
t
t t t
x
x dx
x
dx x a

PART B
1. (i) Express x x x f sin ) ( = as a Fourier series in . 2 0 t s s x
29
(ii) Show that for 0 < x <l,
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
l
x
l
x
l
x
p
l
x
t t t 3
sin
3
1 2
sin
2
1
sin
2
. Using root mean square
value of x, deduce the value of + + +
2 2 2
3
1
2
1
1
1

2. (i) Find the Fourier series of periodicity 3 for
2
2 ) ( x x x f = in 0 < x < 3.
(ii) Find the Fourier series expansion of period 2t for the function ) (x f y = which is defined
in ) 2 , 0 ( t by means of the table of values given below. Find the series upto the third harmonic.
x 0
3
t

3
2t

t
3
4t

3
5t

t 2
) (x f 1.0 1.4 1.9 1.7 1.5 1.2 1.0

3.(i) Find the Fourier series of periodicity 2t for
2
) ( x x f = for 0 < x < 2t .
(ii) Show that for 0 < x <l,
|
.
|

\
|
+ + =
l
x
l
x l l
x
t t
t
3
cos
3
1
cos
4
2
2 2
. Deduce that
.
96 5
1
3
1
1
1
4
4 4 4
t
= + + +
4. (i) Find the Fourier series for

s s
s <
=
l x l
l x x l
x f
2 , 0
0 ,
) ( . Hence deduce the sum to infinity of
the series

=
+
0
2
.
) 1 2 (
1
n
n

(ii) Find the complex form of Fourier series of ) ( ) ( t t < < = x e x f
ax
in the form

+
+
=
inx n ax
e
n a
in a a
e
2 2
) 1 (
sinh
t
t
and hence prove that .
) 1 (
sinh
2 2

=
a n a a
n
t
t

5. Obtain the half range cosine series for x x f = ) ( in ). , 0 ( t
6. Find the Fourier series for x x f cos ) ( = in the interval ) , ( t t .
7. (i) Expanding ) ( x x t as a sine series in ) , 0 ( t show that .
32 5
1
3
1
1
3
3 3
t
= + +
(ii) Find the Fourier series as far as the second harmonic to represent the function given in the
following data.
x 0 1 2 3 4 5
30
) (x f 9 18 24 28 26 20

8. Obtain the Fourier series for ) (x f of period 2l and defined as follows

+
=
) , 0 (
) 0 , (
) (
L in x L
L in x L
x f
Hence deduce that .
8 5
1
3
1
1
1
2
2 2 2
t
= + + +
9. Obtain the half range cosine series for x x f = ) ( in ). , 0 ( t
10. (i) Find the Fourier series of

=
) 2 , ( 2
) , 0 ( 1
) (
t t
t
in
in
x f
(ii) Obtain the sine series for the function

s s
s s
=
l x
l
in x l
l
x in x
x f
2
2
0
) (
11. (i) Find the Fourier series for the function

=
) 1 , 0 ( 1
) 0 , 1 ( 0
) (
in
in
x f and ) ( ) 2 ( x f x f = + for all x.
(ii) Determine the Fourier series for the function

s s
s s
=
2 1 ), 2 (
1 0 ,
) (
x x
x x
x f
t
t

12. Obtain the Fourier series for
2
1 ) ( x x x f + + = in ) , ( t t . Deduce that
.
6 3
1
2
1
1
1
2
2 2 2
t
= + + +

13. Obtain the constant term and the first harmonic in the Fourier series expansion for ) (x f
where ) (x f is given in the following table.
x 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
) (x f 18.0 18.7 17.6 15.0 11.6 8.3 6.0 5.3 6.4 9.0 12.4 15.7

14. (i) Express x x x f sin ) ( = as a Fourier series in ). , ( t t
31
(ii) Obtain the half range cosine series for
2
) 2 ( ) ( = x x f in the interval 0 < x < 2.
15. Find the half range sine series of x x x f cos ) ( = in ). , 0 ( t
16. (i) Find the Fourier series expansion of ) (x f = ) , ( t t

in e
x

(ii) Find the half-range sine series of ) (x f = sin ax in (0 , l).
17. Expand ) (x f = x -
2
x as a Fourier series in -1 < x < 1 and using this series find the r.m.s.
value of ) (x f in the interval.
18. The following table gives the variations of a periodic function over a period T.
x 0
6
T

3
T

2
T

3
2T

6
5T

T
) (x f 1.98 1.3 1.05 1.3 -0.88 -0.25 1.98
Show that ) (x f = 0.75 + 0.37 u cos +1.004 u sin , where
T
x t
u
2
=
19. Find the Fourier series upto the third harmonic for the function y = ) (x f defined in (0 , t )
from the table
x 0
6
t

6
2t

6
3t

6
4t

6
5t

t
) (x f 2.34 2.2 1.6 0.83 0.51 0.88 1.19

20. (i) Find the half-range (i) cosine series and (ii) sine series for ) (x f =
2
x in (0 , t )
(ii) Find the complex form of the Fourier series of ) (x f = cos ax in (-t , t ).