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Section 10 Even and Odd Functions ​371

16. ​Let ​f​(​x)​ = sin​2 ​x​, 0 ​< x < π​. Sketch (or computer plot) the even function ​f​c o ​ f
period 2​π,​ the odd function ​fs​ o ​ f period 2​π​, and the function ​fp​ ​of period ​π,​ each of
which is equal to ​f​(​x​) on (0​, π​). Expand each of these functions in an appropriate
Fourier series.
In Problems 17 to 22 you are given ​f​(​x​) on an interval, say 0 ​< x < b​. Sketch several
periods of the even function ​fc​ ​of period 2​b​, the odd function ​fs​ ​of period 2​b​, and the
function ​fp​ ​of period ​b​, each of which equals ​f​(​x​) on 0 ​< x < b​. Expand each of the three
functions in an appropriate Fourier series.
17. ​f(​ ​x​) =
(
1​, 0 ​ ​< x < 1​
2 ​,
−​1​, 1​
2 ​< x < ​1​.
18. ​f(​ ​x​) =
(
1​, 0 ​ ​< x < 1 ​ ​,
0​, 1 ​ ​< x < 3 ​ ​.
19. ​f(​ ​x​) = ​| ​cos ​x​|​, ​0 ​< x < π. ​20. ​f​(​x​) = ​x2​ ​, ​0 ​< x < ​1​.
21. ​f(​ ​x​) =
(
x, 0 ​ ​< x < 1 ​ ​,
2 ​− x, 1 ​ ​< x < 2 ​ ​.
22. ​f(​ ​x​) =
(
10​, 0 ​ ​< x < 1 ​ 0​,
20​, 1 ​ 0 ​< x < ​20​.
23. ​If a violin string is plucked (pulled aside and let
go), it is possible to find a formula ​f​(​x, t​) for
the displacement at time ​t ​of any point ​x ​of the
vibrating string from its equilibrium position. It
turns out that in solving this problem we need
to expand the function ​f​(​x, ​0), whose graph is the initial shape of the string, in a
Fourier sine series. Find this series if a string of length ​l i​ s pulled aside a small
distance ​h a ​ t its center, as shown.
24. ​If, in Problem 23, the string is stopped at the
center and half of it is plucked, then the function
to be expanded in a sine series is shown
here. Find the series. ​Caution: ​Note that
f​(​x, 0 ​ ) = 0 for ​l/2 ​ ​< x< l.​
25. ​Suppose that ​f​(​x​) and its derivative ​f
_
(​x​) are both expanded in Fourier series on
(​−π​ ,π)​ . Call the coefficients in the ​f​(​x​) series ​a​n a
​ nd ​b​n a
​ nd the coefficients in the
f
_
(​x​) series ​a
_
na​ nd ​b
_
Write the integral for ​a​n ​[equation (5.9)] and integrate it
n.​
by parts to get an integral of ​f
_
(​x​) sin​nx​. Recognize this integral in terms of ​b
_
n
[equation (5.10) for ​f
_
(​x​)] and so show that ​b
_
n=
​ ​−​na​n.​ (In the integration by
parts, the integrated term is zero because ​f​(​π​) = ​f​(​−​π)​ since ​f ​is continuous—
sketch several periods.). Find a similar relation for ​a
_
na
​ nd ​b​n​. Now show that this
is the result you get by differentiating the ​f(​ ​x​) series term by term. Thus you have
shown that the Fourier series for ​f
_
(​x​) is correctly given by differentiating the ​f(​ ​x​)
series term by term (assuming that ​f
_
(​x​) is expandable in a Fourier series).
In Problems 26 and 27, find the indicated Fourier series. Then differentiate your result
repeatedly (both the function and the series) until you get a discontinuous function. Use a
computer to plot ​f(​ ​x)​ and the derivative functions. For each graph, plot on the same axes
one or more terms of the corresponding Fourier series. Note the number of terms needed
for a good fit (see comment at the end of the section).
26. ​f(​ ​x​) =
(
3​x2​ ​+2​x​3​, −​1 ​< x < 0 ​ ​,
3​x2​ ​− ​2​x3​ ​, 0
​ ​< x < 1 ​ ​.
27. ​f(​ ​x​) = (​x​2 ​− π​2​)2​ ​, −​π < x < π.

372 ​Fourier Series and Transforms Chapter 7 


10. AN APPLICATION TO SOUND 
We have said that when a sound wave passes through the air and we hear it, the 
air pressure where we are varies with time. Suppose the excess pressure above (and 
below) atmospheric pressure in a sound wave is given by the graph in Figure 10.1. 
(We shall not be concerned here with the units of ​p;​ however, reasonable units in 
Figure 10.1 would be ​p ​in 10​−​6 ​atmospheres.) Let us ask what frequencies we hear 
when we listen to this sound. To find out, we expand ​p(​ ​t)​ in a Fourier series. The 
period of ​p​(t​ )​ is ​1
262​; that is, the sound wave repeats itself 262 times per second. 
We have called the period 2​l i​ n our formulas, so here ​l ​= 1​
524​. The functions we 
have called sin(​nπx/l​) here become sin 524​nπt​. We cansave some work by observing 
Figure 10.1
that ​p​(t​ )​ is an odd function; there are then only sine terms in its Fourier series and 
we need to compute only b​ ​n​. Using (9.4), we have 
b​n ​= 2(524) ​_ 1​ ​/5​ 24
0
(10.1) ​p​(t​ )​ sin 524​nπt dt 
= 1048 ​_ ​1​/​1048
0
sin 524​nπt dt ​− 7 ​  

(1048) _​ ​1​/5​ 24
​ 048
1​/1
sin 524​nπt dt 
= 1048 


cos ​nπ 

− ​1 
524​nπ 



cos ​nπ ​− ​cos n
​ π 

524​nπ 



nπ 
_​−1 ​ 5 

cos ​nπ 

+1+ 


cos ​nπ 
_

From this we can compute the values of ​bn​ ​for the first few values of n
​ ​: 
(10.2) 
b​1 ​= 

π 
_​1 ​− ​7 

_ ​= 

π 
_​1 

_ ​= 

π 
・1 ​  
4 ​b5​ ​= 

5​π 
・1 ​  

b​2 ​= 

2​π 
_​15 

+1+ 


_ ​= 

2​π 
_​15 

_
b​6 ​= 

6​π 
_​15 

_
b​3 ​= 

3​π 
_​1 ​− ​7 

_ ​= 

3​π 
・1 ​  
4 ​b7​ ​= 

7​π 
・1 ​  

b​4 ​= 

4​π 
_​−1 ​ 5 

+1+ 


_ ​= 0 ​b8​ ​= 0​, ​etc. 

Section 10 An Application to Sound 3


​ 73
Then we have 
p​(t​ )​ = 

4​π 
_​sin 524​πt 


30 sin(524 ​・ ​2​πt​) 


sin(524 ・ ​ ​3​πt​) 

(10.3) 

sin(524 ・ ​ ​5​πt​) 


30 sin(524 ​・ ​6​πt​) 


sin(524 ・ ​ ​7​πt​) 

+・ ​ ・ ・​_

We can see just by looking at the coefficients that the most important term 
is the second one. The first term corresponds to the fundamental with frequency 
262 vibrations per second (this is approximately middle C on a piano). But it is 
much weaker in this case than the first overtone (second harmonic) corresponding to 
the second term; this tone has frequency 524 vibrations per second (approximately 
high C). (You might like to use a computer to play one or several terms of the 
series.) The sixth harmonic (corresponding to n ​ ​= 6) and also the harmonics for 
n ​= 10, 14, 18, 22, and 26 are all more prominent (that is, have larger coefficients) 
than the fundamental. We can be even more specific about the relative importance 
of the various frequencies. Recall that in discussing a simple harmonic oscillator, 
we showed that its average energy was proportional to the square of its velocity 
amplitude. It can be proved that the intensity of a sound wave (average energy 
striking unit area of your ear per second) is proportional to the average of the 
square of the excess pressure. Thus for a sinusoidal pressure variation ​A​sin 2​πft​, 
the intensity is proportional to A
​ ​2​. IntheFourier series for ​p(​ ​t)​ , the intensities of the 
various harmonics are then proportional to the squares of the corresponding Fourier 
coefficients. (The intensity corresponds roughly to the loudness of the tone—not 
exactly because the ear is not uniformly sensitive to all frequencies.) The relative 
intensities of the harmonics in our example are then: 
n ​= 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ​・ ・ ・
Relative intensity = 1 225 ​1
9 ​0 ​1
25 ​25 ​1
49 ​0 ​1
81 ​9 ​・ ・ ・
From this we see even more clearly that we would hear principally the second 
harmonic with frequency 524 (high C). 
PROBLEMS, SECTION 10 
In Problems 1 to 3, the graphs sketched represent one period of the excess pressure ​p​(​t​) in
a sound wave. Find the important harmonics and their relative intensities. Use a computer
to play individual terms or a sum of several terms of the series.
1.
2.

374 ​Fourier Series and Transforms Chapter 7 


3.
In Problems 4 to 10, the sketches show several practical examples of electrical signals
(voltages or currents). In each case we want to know the harmonic content of the signal,
that is, what frequencies it contains and in what proportions. To find this, expand each
function in an appropriate Fourier series. Assume in each case that the part of the graph
shown is repeated sixty times per second.
4. ​Output of a simple d-c generator; the shape of
the curve is the absolute value of a sine function.
Let the maximum voltage be 100 v.
5. ​Rectified half-wave; the curve is a sine function
for half the cycle and zero for the other half.
Let the maximum current be 5 amp. ​Hint: B ​ e
careful! The value of ​l h ​ ere is 1​/​60, but ​I(​ ​t​) =
​ nly from ​t ​= 0 to ​t =
sin ​t o ​ 1​/​120.
6. ​Triangular wave; the graph consists of two
straight lines whose equations you must write!
The maximum voltage of 100 v occurs at the
middle of the cycle.
7. ​Sawtooth ​8. ​Rectified sawtooth
9. ​Square wave ​10. ​Periodic ramp function

Section 11 Parseval’s Theorem ​375


11. PARSEVAL’S THEOREM 
We shall now find a relation between the average of the square (or absolute square) of 
​ ​π
​ ​) and the coefficients in the Fourier series for ​f(​ ​x​), assuming that _
f​(x

−π
|​f(​ x
​ ​)|​ ​2 ​dx 
is finite. The result is known as ​Parseval’s theorem o​ r the c​ ompleteness relation​. 
You should understand that the point of the theorem is n ​ ot t​ o get the average of 
the square of a given f​ ​(x
​ ​) by using its Fourier series. [Given f​ ​(x
​ ​), it is easy to get 
its average square just by doing the integration in (11.2) below.] The point of the 
theorem is to show the r​ elation ​between the average of the square of f​ (​ ​x​) and the 
Fourier coefficients. We can derive a form of Parseval’s theorem from any of the 
various Fourier expansions we have made; let us use (5.1). 
(11.1) ​f(​ x ​ ​) = 

2​a0​ ​+ 

_
1
a​n ​cos ​nx +
​  

_
1
b​n ​sin n
​ x. 
​ , π​): 
We square f​ (​ ​x​) and then average the square over (​−π
(11.2) The average of [​f​(x ​ ​)]​2 ​is 

2​π 
_ ​π

−π
[​f(​ x
​ ​)]​2​dx. 
When we square the Fourier series in (11.1) we get many terms. To avoid writing 
out a large number of them, consider instead what types of terms there are and 
what the averages of the different kinds of terms are. First, there are the squares 
of the individual terms. Using the fact that the average of the square of a sine or 
cosine over a period is ​1
2​, we have: 
(11.3) 
The average of ( ​1
2​a​0​)2 ​ ​is ( ​1
2​a​0​)2 ​ ​. 
The average of (​a​n ​cos ​nx​)2​ ​is ​a​2
n
・ 1​
2 ​. 
The average of (​b​n ​sin ​nx​)2​ ​is b​ 2​
n
・ 1​
2 ​. 
​ 1​
Then there are cross-product terms of the forms 2 ・
​ os ​nx​, 2 ​・ ​1
2​a​0​a​n c
2​a​0​bn
​ ​sinn
​ x​, 
and 2​an​ ​bm ​ ith ​m _
​ c​ os ​nx s​ in​mx w ​ ​= n
​ (​ we write ​n ​in the cosine factor and m
​ ​in the 
sine factor since every sine term must be multiplied times every cosine term). By 
(5.2), the average values of terms of all these types are zero. Then we have 
(11.4) The average of [​f​(x ​ ​)]​2 ​(over a period) = _ ​ ​1 
2​a0​
_​2




_
1
a​2
n ​+ 



_
1
b​2
n.​  
This is one form of Parseval’s theorem. You can easily verify (Problem 1) that the 
theorem is unchanged if ​f(​ x ​ ​) has period 2​l ​instead of 2​π a​ nd its square is averaged 
over any period of length 2​l.​ You can also verify (Problem 3) that if f​ (​ ​x​) is written 
as a complex exponential Fourier series, and if in addition we include the possibility 
that ​f(​ x
​ ​) itself may be complex, then we find: 
(11.5) The average of ​|f​ ​(x ​ ​)|​ ​2 ​(over a period) = 

_
−∞
|c​ ​n​|​2​. 
Parseval’s theorem is also called the ​completeness relation​. In the problem of 
representing a given sound wave as a sum of harmonics, suppose we had left one of 
the harmonics out of the series. It seems plausible physically, and it can be proved 

376 ​Fourier Series and Transforms Chapter 7 


mathematically, that with one or more harmonics left out, we would not be able to 
represent sound waves containing the omitted harmonics. We say that the set of 
functions sin n ​ x​, cos​nx i​ s a ​complete set o​ f functions on any interval of length 2​π​; 
that is, any function (satisfying Dirichlet conditions) can be expanded in a Fourier 
series whose terms are constants times sin ​nx a​ nd cos ​nx​. If we left out some values 
of ​n,​ we would have an incomplete set of basis functions (see basis, page 357) and 
could not use it to expand some given functions. For example, suppose that you 
made a mistake in finding the period (that is, the value of ​l)​ of your given function 
and tried to use the set of functions sin 2​nx​, cos2​nx ​in expanding a given function 
of period 2​π.​ You would get a wrong answer because you used an incomplete set 
of basis functions (with the sin x ​ ​, cos​x​, sin3​x​, cos3​x​, ・
​ ・ ・​, terms missing). If your 
Fourier series is wrong because the set of basis functions you use is incomplete, then 
the results you get from Parseval’s theorem (11.4) or (11.5) will be wrong too. In 
fact, if we use an incomplete basis set in, say, (11.5), then there are missing (nonnegative) 
terms on the right-hand side, so the equation becomes the inequality: 
Average of ​|​f(​ ​x)​ ​|2​ ​≥ _


−∞ |​ ​c​n​|​2​.
This is known as Bessel’s inequality. Conversely, 
if (11.4) and (11.5) are correct for ​all f​ ​(x
​ )​ , then the set of basis functions used 
is a complete set. This is why Parseval’s theorem is often called the completeness 
relation. (Also see page 377 and Chapter 12, Section 6.) 
Let us look at some examples of the physical meaning and the use of Parseval’s 
theorem. 
Example 1. ​In Section 10 we said that the intensity (energy per square centimeter per 
second) of a sound wave is proportional to the average value of the square of the 
excess pressure. If for simplicity we write (10.3) with letters instead of numerical 
values, we have 
(11.6) ​p​(t​ )​ = 

_
1
b​n ​sin 2​πnft. 
For this case, Parseval’s theorem (11.4) says that: 
(11.7) The average of [​p​(t​ ​)]​2 ​= 

_
1
b​2
n
・ ​1 



_
1
the average of ​b2​
n ​sin​2 ​2​nπft . 
Now the intensity or energy (per square centimeter per second) of the sound wave 
is proportional to the average of [​p​(t​ ​)]​2​, and the energy associated with the n
​ ​th 
harmonic is proportional to the average of ​b2​
n ​sin​2 ​2​nπft​. Thus Parseval’s theorem 
says that the total energy of the sound wave is equal to the sum of the energies 
associated with the various harmonics. 
Example 2. ​Let us use Parseval’s theorem to find the sum of an infinite series. From 
Problem 8.15(a) written in complex exponential form we get: 
The function f​ ​(x ​ ​) of period 2 which is equal to ​x o​ n (​−​1,​ ​1) 
= ​− ​i 
π 
(​ei​ πx ​− ​e 
−i​ πx ​− 1 ​  
2​e2​ ​iπx + ​  

2 ​e 
−2 ​ ​iπx ​+ 

3 ​e3​ ​iπx − ​  
​ 1
3 ​e 
−3 ​ ​iπx ​+ ​・ ・ ・ ) ​ .​  

Section 11 Parseval’s Theorem ​377


​ ,​ ​1). 
​ ​)]​2 o​ n (​−1
Let us find the average of [​f​(x
The average of [​f(​ x
​ ​)]​2 ​= 


_ ​1

−1
x​2 ​dx =
​  


_​x3​

1
−1​
_


3​. 
By Parseval’s theorem (11.5), this is equal to ​_

​ ​n​|​2​,
−∞ ​|c so we have 




_
−∞
|c​ ​n|​ 2​ ​= 

π​2 ​(1 + 1 + 











+ ​・ ・ ・ ​= 

π​2

_
1

n​2 ​. 
Then we get the sum of the series 
1 + 





+ ​・ ・ ・ ​= 

_
1

n​2 ​= ​π2​

・ ​1 

= ​π2​
6 ​. 
We have seen that a function given on (0​, l​) can be expanded in a sine series by 
defining it on (​−l​ , ​0) to make it odd, or in a cosine series by defining it on (​−​l, ​0) 
to make it even. Here is another useful example of defining a function to suit our 
purposes. (We will need this in Chapter 13.) Suppose we want to expand a function 
defined on (0​, l​) in terms of the basis functions sin(​n ​+ 1​
2 ​)π ​ x
l=
​ sin (​ 2​n​+1)​πx
2​l .​ Can 
we do it, that is, do these functions make up a complete set for this problem? Note 
that our proposed basis functions have period 4​l,​ say (​−2 ​ ​l, ​2l​ ​) (observe the 2​l ​in 
the denominator where you are used to ​l​). So given ​f(​ ​x​) on (0​, l​), we can define it 
as we like on (​l, ​2​l)​ and on (​−2​ ​l, ​0). We know (by the Dirichlet theorem) that the 
functions sin n​ πx
2​l a ​ nd cos ​nπx
2​l ,​ ​all ​n,​ make up a complete set on (​−2 ​ l​ , ​2l​ ​). We need 
to see how, on (0​, l​) we can use just the sines (that’s easy—make the function odd) 
and only the odd values of ​n.​ It turns out (see Problem 11) that if we define f​ ​(x ​ ​) 
on (​l, ​2l​ ​) to make it symmetric around ​x = ​ l​ ​, then all the b​ n​ ’​ s for even n
​ ​are equal 
to zero. So our desired basis set is indeed a complete set on (0​, l​). Similarly we can 
show (Problem 11) that the functions cos ​(2​n+​ 1)​πx
2​l m ​ ake up a complete set on (0​, l​). 
PROBLEMS, SECTION 11 
1. ​Prove (11.4) for a function of period 2​l e ​ xpanded in a sine-cosine series.
2. ​Prove that if ​f​(​x​) =
P​∞
−∞ c​ n ​e ​ ​inx,​ then the average value of [​f(​ ​x)​ ]​2 ​is
P​∞
−∞ c ​ n ​ c​ −​ n​ .​
Show by Problem 7.12 that for real ​f​(​x​) this becomes (11.5).
3. ​If ​f​(​x​) is complex, we usually want the average of the square of the absolute value
of ​f(​ ​x)​ . Recall that ​|​f​(​x​)​|2​ ​= ​f​(​x​) ・ ​ ​f​(​x​), where ¯ ​f(​ ​x)​ means the complex conjugate
​ ¯
of ​f(​ ​x)​ . Show that if a complex ​f(​ ​x)​ =
P​∞
−∞ c ​ n ​e ​ ​inπx/l​, then (11.5) holds.
4. ​When a current ​I f​ lows through a resistance ​R​, the heat energy dissipated per second
is the average value of ​RI​2​. Let a periodic (not sinusoidal) current ​I(​ ​t)​ be expanded
in a Fourier series ​I​(​t​) =
P​∞
−∞ c ​ n​e ​ ​120​inπt.​ Give a physical meaning to Parseval’s
theorem for this problem.
Use Parseval’s theorem and the results of the indicated problems to find the sum of the
series in Problems 5 to 9.
5. ​The series 1 +
1
3​2 ​+
1
5​2 ​+ ​・ ・ ・​, using Problem 9.6.
6. ​The series
∞​X
n​=1
1
n​4 ​, using Problem 9.9.

378 ​Fourier Series and Transforms Chapter 7 


7. ​The series
∞​X
n​=1
1
n​2 ​, using Problem 5.8.
8. ​The series
X
odd ​n
1
n​4 ​, using Problem 9.10.
9. ​The series
1
3​2 ​+
1
15​2 ​+
1
35​2 ​+ ・ ​ ・ ・​, using Problem 5.11.
10. ​A general form of Parseval’s theorem says that if two functions are expanded in
Fourier series
f(​ ​x)​ =
1
2
a​0 ​+
∞​X
1
a​n ​cos ​nx ​+
∞​X
1
b​n ​sin ​nx,
g​(​x​) =
1
2
a
_
0 ​+
∞​X
1
a
_
nc
​ os ​nx ​+
∞​X
1
b
_
ns
​ in ​nx,
then the average value of ​f(​ ​x)​ ​g(​ ​x)​ is ​1
4​a​0​a
_

0 ​+ 1
2
P​∞
1 ​a​n​a
_
n+ ​
​ 1
2
P​∞
1 ​b​n​b
_
n​. Prove this.
11. ​(a) Let ​f​(​x​) on (0​, ​2​l)​ satisfy ​f​(2​l − x)​ = ​f​(​x​), that is, ​f(​ ​x​) is symmetric about
x= ​ ​l.​ If you expand ​f(​ ​x)​ on (0​, 2
​ ​l​) in a sine series
P
b​n ​sin n​ πx
2​l ​, show that
for even ​n,​ ​bn​ = ​ 0. ​Hint: N ​ ote that the period of the sines is 4​l.​ Sketch an
f(​ ​x)​ which is symmetric about ​x = ​ ​l,​ and on the same axes sketch a few sines
to see that the even ones are antisymmetric about ​x = ​ ​l.​ Alternatively, write
the integral for ​bn​ ​as an integral from 0 to ​l p ​ lus an integral from ​l t​ o 2​l​, and
replace ​x b ​ y 2​l − x ​in the second integral.
(b) Similarly, show that if we define ​f​(2​l− ​ x​ )​ = ​−f​ ​(​x​), the cosine series has ​a​n = ​ 0
for even ​n.​
12. FOURIER TRANSFORMS 
We have been expanding ​periodic ​functions in series of sines, cosines, and complex 
exponentials. Physically, we could think of the terms of these Fourier series as 
representing a set of harmonics. In music these would be an infinite set of frequencies 
​ 1, 2, 3, ・
nf​, ​n = ​ ・ ・​; notice that this set, although infinite, does not by any 
means include all possible frequencies. In electricity, a Fourier series could represent 
a periodic voltage; again we could think of this as made up of an infinite but 
discrete (that is, not continuous) set of a-c voltages of frequencies n ​ ω​. Similarly, 
in discussing light, a Fourier series could represent light consisting of a discrete set 
of wavelengths ​λ/n​, ​n = ​ 1, 2, ・
​ ・ ・​, that is, a discrete set of colors. Two related 
questions might occur to us here. First, is it possible to represent a function which 
​ ot ​periodic by something analogous to a Fourier series? Second, can we somehow 
is n
extend or modify Fourier series to cover the case of a continuous spectrum of 
wavelengths of light, or a sound wave containing a continuous set of frequencies? 
If you recall that an integral is a limit of a sum, it may not surprise you very 
much to learn that the Fourier ​series (​ that is, a s​ um ​of terms) is replaced by a 
Fourier i​ ntegral ​in the above cases. The Fourier integral can be used to represent 
nonperiodic functions, for example a single voltage pulse not repeated, or a flash 
of light, or a sound which is not repeated. The Fourier integral also represents 
a continuous set (spectrum) of frequencies, for example a whole range of musical 
tones or colors of light rather than a discrete set. 

Section 12 Fourier Transforms ​379


Recall from equations (8.2) and (8.3), these complex Fourier series formulas: 
f​(x
​ ​) = 

_
−∞
c​n​ei​ nπx/l,​  
c​n =​  

2​l 
_ ​l
−l​
f​(x
​ ​)e​  
−i​ nπx/l d
​ x. 
(12.1) 
The period of f​ ​(x
​ ​) is 2​l a​ nd the frequencies of the terms in the series are ​n/​(2​l)​ . 
We now want to consider the case of continuous frequencies. 
Definition of Fourier Transforms ​We state without proof (see plausibility arguments 
below) the formulas corresponding to (12.1) for a continuous range of 
frequencies. 
​ ​) = ​ _
f​(x

−∞
g​(​α​)​ei​ αx ​dα, 
g​(​α​) = 

2​π 
_

−∞
f​(x​ ​)e​  
−i​ αx ​dx. 
(12.2) 
​ ,​ and ​_
Compare (12.2) and (12.1); g​ (​ ​α​) corresponds to c​ ​n​, ​α ​corresponds to n

−∞
corresponds to _


−∞​. This agrees with our discussion of the physical meaning and 
use of Fourier integrals. The quantity ​α i​ s a continuous analog of the integral-valued 
variable ​n,​ and so the set of coefficients ​cn​ h ​ as become a function g ​ (​ ​α​); the sum 
over n ​ ​has become an integral over ​α​. The two functions ​f(​ ​x​) and g​ (​ ​α​) are called 
a pair of F ​ ourier transforms​. Usually, ​g(​ α​ ​) is called the Fourier transform of f​ ​(x ​ ​), 
and f​ (​ ​x)​ is called the inverse Fourier transform of ​g(​ ​α​), but since the two integrals 
differ in form only in the sign in the exponent, it is rather common simply to call 
either a Fourier transform of the other. You should check the notation of any book 
or computer program you are using. Another point on which various references 
differ is the position of the factor 1​/​(2​π​) in (12.2); it is possible to have it multiply 
the f​ (​ ​x)​ integral instead of the ​g(​ ​α​) integral, or to have the factor 1​/ 

2​π m
​ ultiply 
each of the integrals. 
The F ​ ourier integral theorem s​ ays that, if a function ​f​(x ​ ​) satisfies the Dirichlet 
conditions (Section 6) on every finite interval, and if ​_

−∞ ​|f​ ​(x ​dx ​is finite, then 
​ ​)|​
(12.2) is correct. That is, if g​ (​ α ​ ​) is computed and substituted into the integral 
for f​ (​ x
​ ​) [compare the procedure of computing the ​cn​ ’​ s for a Fourier series and 
substituting them into the series for f​ ​(x ​ ​)], then the integral gives the value of ​f(​ ​x)​  
anywhere that f​ ​(x ​ ​) is continuous; at jumps of f​ (​ ​x​), the integral gives the midpoint 
of the jump (again compare Fourier series, Section 6). The following discussion 
is not a mathematical proof of this theorem but is intended to help you see more 
clearly how Fourier integrals are related to Fourier series. 

380 ​Fourier Series and Transforms Chapter 7 


It might seem reasonable to think of trying to represent a function which is 
not periodic by letting the period (​−l​ , l​) increase to (​−∞,​ ∞ ​ ​). Let us try to do 
this, starting with (12.1). If we call ​nπ/l = ​ n​ +​ 1 ​− ​αn​ =
​ ​αn​ a​ nd α ​ ​ /l ​= Δ​α​, then 
π
1​/(​ 2​l​) = Δ​α/​(2​π​) and (12.1) can be rewritten as 
f​(x
​ ​) = 

_
−∞
(12.3) ​c​n​eα​ n​ x​ ,​  
c​n =​  

2​l 
_ ​l
−l​
f​(x​ ​)e​  
−i​ α​n​x ​dx =
​  
Δ​α 
2​π 
_ ​l
−l​
f​(u
​ ​)e​  
(12.4) ​−​iαn​ u​ d
​ u. 
(We have changed the dummy integration variable in ​cn​ f​ rom x
​ t​ o ​u ​to avoid later 
confusion.) Substituting (12.4) into (12.3), we have 
(12.5) 
f​(x​ ​) = 

_
−∞
_​Δ​α 
2​π 
_ ​l
−l​
f​(u​ ​)e​  
−i​ α​n​u d
​ u 
_
e​iαn​ x​


_
−∞
Δ​α 
2​π 
_ ​l
−l​
f​(u
​ ​)e​ i​ αn​ ​(​x−​ u​ ​) ​du ​= 

2​π 

_
−∞
F​(α
​ ​n)​ Δ​α, 
where 
​ ​l
​ ​n​) = _
(12.6) ​F(​ α
−l​
f​(u
​ ​)e​ i​ αn​ ​(​x−​ u​ ​) ​du. 
Now ​_

​ ​α​n​)Δ​α
−∞ ​F( ​looks rather like the formula in calculus for the sum whose 
limit, as Δ​α ​tends to zero, is an integral. If we let l​ ​tend to infinity [that is, let the 
​ ​) tend to infinity], then Δ​α =
period of ​f(​ x ​ ​π/l →​ ​0, and the sum _


​ ​α​n​)Δ​α 
−∞ ​F(
goes over formally to ​_

​ ​α​)d
−∞ ​F( ​ α​; we have dropped the subscript ​n ​on α
​ n
​ ow that 
it is a continuous variable. We also let ​l ​tend to infinity and ​α​n ​= α
​ i​ n (12.6) to get 
​ ​) = ​_
(12.7) ​F(​ α

−∞
f​(u
​ ​)e​ i​ α(​ ​x−​ u​ ​) ​du. 
Replacing ​_

​ ​α​n​)Δ​α
−∞ ​F( ​in (12.5) by _


​ ​α​)
−∞ ​F( ​ α ​and substituting from (12.7) 
d
for F ​ (​ ​α​) gives 
(12.8) 
f​(x
​ ​) = 

2​π 
_

−∞
F​(α
​ ​) ​dα =
​  

2​π 
_

−∞
_

−∞
​ ​)e​ i​ α(​ ​x−​ u​ ​) ​du dα 
f​(u


2​π 
_

−∞
e​iαx ​dα 
_

−∞
f​(u​ ​)e​  
−i​ αu d​ u. 
If we define g​ (​ α
​ ​) by 
(12.9) ​g(​ ​α​) = 

2​π 
_

−∞
f​(x​ ​)e​  
−i​ αx ​dx = ​  

2​π 
_

−∞
f​(u​ ​)e​  
−i​ αu d​ u, 
then (12.8) gives 
(12.10) ​f(​ x​ ​) = ​ _

−∞
g​(​α​)​ei​ αx d
​ α.

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