Unit 03

FOURIER SERIES

Problem Set 3.1 (Fourier Series of periodic functions of period 2 )

Periodic Function: A function f(x) is said to be periodic if there exists a number P > 0 such that
f(x + P) = f(x) for every x. The smallest such P is called the period of f(x).

Geometrically, a function f is periodic with period P if the graph of f is invariant under translation in
the x-direction by a distance of P.
Example: sin x and cos x are periodic with period 2π.
If L is a fixed number, then sin(2πx/L) and cos(2πx/L) have period L.
The period of sin nx or cos nx, where n is a positive integer, is 2π/n .
Fourier Series: A Fourier series is an expansion of a periodic function f(x) in terms of an infinite sum
of sines and cosines.
Definition: Let f(x) be a single valued and piecewise continuous function defined on [c, c+2π]. Then

a
the Fourier series of f(x) is the series f ( x)  0    an cos nx  bn sin nx 
2 n 1
c  2 c  2 c  2
1 1 1
where a0 
 
c
f ( x)dx , an 
 
c
f ( x) cos nx dx and bn 
 
c
f ( x)sin nx dx

The coefficients a0, an and bn in this series are called the Fourier coefficients of f(x).

1. 1
Find the Fourier Series of f ( x)  (  x) in the interval (0,2𝜋). Hence, deduce that
2
 1 1 1
 1     .
4 3 5 7

1 1 1 1
Ans:   x   sin x  sin 2 x  sin 3 x  sin 4 x 
2 2 3 4

2. Obtain the Fourier Series for f ( x)  e  x in the interval 0  x  2 .

1  e 2 1  e 2    cos nx n sin nx 

Ans : e x

2
   
  n1  1  n 2 1  n 2 
3. Obtain the Fourier Series for f ( x)  x  x 2 in the interval    x   . Hence, show that
1 1 1 1 2
    ... 
12 2 2 32 4 2 12

 2 
(1) n 
(1) n
Ans : x  x 2   4 2 cos nx  2 sin nx
3 n 1 n n 1 n

1
 Problem Set 3.2 (Fourier Series of piecewise continuous function)

Dirichlet’s Fourier Series Conditions:

A piecewise regular function (i.e. periodic, single valued and finite) that
1. Has a finite number of finite discontinuities and
2. Has a finite number of extrema (i.e. maxima and minima)
can be expanded in a Fourier series which converges to the function at continuous points and the mean of
the positive and negative limits at points of discontinuity.
1 lim
That is, f ( x0 )   0 f ( x0   )  f ( x0   ).
2
1. x ;0  x  
Find the Fourier Series of the function given by f ( x)  
2  x ;   x  2
1 1 1 2
Deduce that: 2  2  2  ...  .
1 3 5 8
 4  cos x cos 3x cos 5 x 
Ans: f ( x)    2    ...
2  1 3 2
5 2

2. 0 ;   x  0 1 1 2  cos 2nx
If f ( x)   , prove that f ( x)   sin x   2 .
sin x ; 0  x    2  n1 4n  1
Hence, show that,
1 1 1 1
(a)    ... 
1 3 3  5 5  7 2
1 1 1  2
(b)    ... 
1 3 3  5 5  7 4
3.  ;    x  0
Find the Fourier series to represent the function f(x) given by f ( x)  
 x ;0  x  
1 1 1 2
Deduce that    ... 
12 32 52 8
 2  cos nx  1  2  1 
 n

Ans: f ( x)     sin nx .
4  n1,3,5,... n2 n 1 n

Tutorial-3.1

1. Find the value of Fourier co efficient a0 for the function f  x   x  x2 in the interval (-𝜋, 𝜋) .
2 2
Ans: a0  .
3
2.   x 
2

Obtain the Fourier Series to represent f ( x)    , 0  x  2 in the interval (0,2𝜋).

 2 
  x  
2  2
cos nx
Ans :     
 2  12 n1 n
2
.

2
3. Find the Fourier Series of f ( x)  e
ax
in the interval (−𝜋, 𝜋).

sinh a 2a sinh a   1 2 sinh a  n  1

n n

Ans : e  ax

a

 
n 1 n  a
2 2
cos nx 
 
n 1 n  a
2 2
sin nx

4. Find the Fourier Series of f  x   x  x2 in the interval (-𝜋, 𝜋). Hence, deduce that

2 1 1 1 2 1 1 1
a      ( b )    
12 12 22 32 6 12 22 32
 1  
 1 
n n
2 
Ans : f  x    4 2 cos nx  2   sin nx
3 n 1 n n 1  n 
 
5.  1, 0  x  
Find the Fourier Series of f  x   
2,   x  2

1 3   1  1
n

Ans: f  x     sin nx
2  n1 n
6.  x2 , 0  x  
Find the Fourier Series of f  x   
0,   x  2

 1   2  1n 2  1n 2 

n
2 
1 
Ans: f  x    2 cos nx      3  sin nx
6 n 1 n2  n1  n n3 n 


Problem Set 3.3 (Fourier Series of periodic functions of period 2 l )

Consider a periodic function f (x) defined in the interval c < x < c+2l. Then Fourier series of f(x) for length
a 
n x  n x
2l is the series f ( x)  0   an cos   bn sin
2 n1 l n 1 l
c  2l c  2l c  2l
1 1 nx 1 nx
Where, a0  
l c
f ( x ) dx , a n 
l c  f ( x ) cos
l
dx and bn 
l c  f ( x) sin
l
dx

The coefficients a0, an and bn in this series are called the Fourier coefficients of f (x).

1. Find the value of the Fourier Series coefficient an of the periodic function
 x, 0  x 1
f  x   with a period 2. Ans:
0, 1 x  2
c  2l
n x
2
1
an   f  x  cos dx   f  x  cos n x dx
l c
l 0
1
1 
2 
  x cos n x dx  1  1
n

n
2 
0

2. Write the Fourier series for the function f(x) in the interval  2, 2 .

3
3. Obtain the Fourier Series for f ( x)  x  x 2 in the interval  1  x  1 .

1 4 
(1) n 1 2  (1) n
Ans : x  x 2  
3 2

n 1 n2
cos nx  
 n1 n
sin nx

4. x ;0  x  1
Find the value of the Fourier Series of the periodic function f ( x)   .
 (2  x) ; 1  x  2

 4  cosx cos 3x cos 5x 

Ans: f ( x)    2    ...
2  1 3 2
5 2


Tutorial-3.2

1. Find the value of Fourier co efficient a0 for the function

 x ; 0  x 1
f ( x)  
 (2  x) ; 1  x  2


Ans: a 0 
2

2. Obtain the Fourier Series of f  x   4  x2 in the interval 0,2 . Hence, deduce that
 2
1 1 1
   
6 12 22 32

8 4 1 4  1
Ans: 4  x 2   2
3 

n 1 n
2
cos n x 
n 1 n
sin n x

3.  x, 0  x 1
Find the Fourier Series of the periodic function with a period 2 of f  x  
0, 1 x  2

3 1   (1)n  1 
1  2(1)n 
Ans: f ( x)     cos n x     sin n x
4  n1  n2  n 1  n 

4. 0,  5  x  0
Find the Fourier Series of f  x   
 3, 0  x  5

1 2 
1  (1) n 1  sin n x
Ans : f ( x)  
4 2

n 1 n2
cos n x 
n 1 n

4
 Problem Set 3.4 (Fourier Series for Even and Odd functions)

Even and Odd Function

A function f (x) is said to be even if f (−x) = f (x).
The function f (x) is said to be odd if f (−x) = −f (x).
Graphically, even functions are symmetrical about the y-axis, whereas odd functions are symmetrical about
the origin.

Examples: Results:
Sums of odd powers of x are odd: 5x3 − 3x - The product of two odd functions is
even.
Sums of even powers of x are even: −x6 + 4x4 + x2 − 3
Ex: x sin x is even
sinx is odd function, and cos x is even function.
- The product of two even functions is
even
Ex: x2cos x is even
- The product of an even function and
an odd function is odd
Ex: sin x cos x is odd
If f(x) is an odd function defined in the interval If f(x) is an even function defined in the interval
   x   , then the Fourier series is    x   , then the Fourier series is
 
a
f ( x)   bn sin nx , f ( x)  0   an cos nx ,
n 1 2 n 1
 
2 2
where bn 
  f ( x) sin nxdx where ao 
  f ( x) dx
0
0

2
an 
  f ( x) cos nxdx
0

If f(x) is an odd function defined in the interval If f(x) is an even function defined in the interval
 l  x  l , then the Fourier series is  l  x  l , then the Fourier series is

nx a 
n x
f ( x)   bn sin , f ( x)  0   an cos ,
n 1 l 2 n1 l
n x
l l
2 2
where bn  
l 0
f ( x)sin
l
dx where ao 
l 0
f ( x) dx

n x
l
2
an   f ( x) cos dx
l 0 l

5
1. Obtain the Fourier Series of f ( x)  x 2 ,    x   . Hence, show that
1 1 1 1 2
(a)     ... 
12 2 2 32 4 2 6
1 1 1 1 2
(b) 2  2  2  2  ... 
1 2 3 4 12

2(1) n
Ans: f ( x)  x  2
 4 2 cos nx
3 n 1 n

2. 2 sin a  sin x 2 sin 2 x 3 sin 3x 

Show that for    x   , sin ax   2  2  2  ...
 1  a 2
2 a 2
3 a 2

3.  2x
1 ,   x  0
 
Obtain the Fourier series for the function f (x) given by f ( x)  
1  2 x , 0  x  

 
1 1 1  2
Hence, deduce that 2  2  2  ...  .
1 3 5 8
4 
Ans: f ( x)  2  1   1
 n1
n cos nx

n2

4. Find the Fourier series for the function f ( x)  x  x 3 in the interval -1 < x < 1.

12  sin x sin 2x cos 3x 

Ans: f ( x)  x  x 3  3 
   ...
  1 3
2 3
3 3

5. Find the Fourier series for the function f ( x)  x 2  2 in the interval  2  x  2 .

 2 16  x 1 1 3x  ... .
Ans: f ( x)  x 2  2  
3 2 cos 2  4 cosx  9 cos 2 

Tutorial-3.3

1. Are the following functions even, odd or neither in the given interval ?
(a) f  x   x , 1  x  1 (b) f  x   ex ,    x  
2. Write the Fourier series for the function f(x) in the interval  2, 2 .

3. Express f ( x)  x ,    x   as Fourier series.

 4  cos x cos 3x cos 5 x 
Ans: x       ...
2  1 2
3 2
5 2

4. A periodic function f(t) with period 2 is defined within the
 1 ;    t0
period    t   by f (t )  
 1 ; 0t . Find its Fourier Series.
Ans:
4 1 1 
f (t )   sin t  sin 3t  sin 5t  .... 
 3 5 .
6
5. Obtain the Fourier Series of f  x   x  x3 in the interval ( ,  ) .

 6 1  2 
Ans: x  x3  2 (1)n  3   sin nx
n 1 n n 
6.  2 x2
Find the Fourier Series of f ( x)   in the interval ( ,  ) .
12 4

2 1 1 1
Hence, deduce that    
12 12 22 32
  1
n
 2
x 2 
Ans: 
 cos nx
12 4 n1 n2
7. Find the Fourier series of f  x   x sin x in the interval ( ,  ) .

 2 1 1 1
Hence, deduce that    
4 1 3 3  5 5  7
1 
Ans: x sin x   2 2
 1
n 1
cos nx
2 n2 n  1

8. Find the Fourier Series of f  x   1  x2 in the interval  1,1 .

 1
n

2 4
Ans: 1  x   2
3 
2
 n 1 n2
cos n x

9. Find the Fourier Series of f  x   sin ax, l  x  l.

 1
n 1

sin n x
Ans: sinax  sin al 
n 1 n   a l
2 2 2 2
l
10.   x,    x  0
If f ( x)   and f ( x  2 )  f ( x) , x , then express f(x) as a Fourier series.
  x, 0  x  

 4 
cos nx
Ans: f ( x) 
2



n1 n2
.
nodd

Problem Set 3.5 (Half Range Fourier Series)

1. Expand f ( x)  x  x 2 in a half range sine series in the interval (0, π).

8 sin 3x sin 5 x 
Ans: f ( x)  sin x  3  3  ...
 3 5 
2.  x,
 0 x 
If f ( x)   2 , show that


  x,  2  x  
4 sin 3x sin 5 x   2  cos 2 x cos 6 x sin 10 x 
(a) f ( x)  sin x  2  2  ... (b) f ( x)       ...
 3 5  4  1 2
3 2
5 2


7
3. Find a series of cosines of multiples of x which will represent x sinx in the interval (0,  ) and show
1 1 1  2
that    ...  .
1 3 3  5 5  7 4
1  cos 2 x cos 3x cos 4 x 
Ans: x sin x  1- cos x - 2     ... 
2  1 3 24 35 
4. x
Obtain the half range sine series for e in 0 < x < 1.

2n
 

Ans: f ( x)   1  e(1) n sin nx
n 1 1  n 
2 2

5. Express f(x) = x as a (a) half range sine series in 0 < x < 2

(b) half range cosine series in 0 < x < 2 .
4 
Ans: (a) f ( x)  sin x  sin x  sin 3x  ...
1 1
 2 2 3 2 
8  
(b) f ( x)  1  2 cos  x  2 cos 3 x  2 cos 5 x  ...
1 1
  2 3 2 5 2 

Tutorial-3.4

1. Find the half-range cosine Series of f  x   x in the interval (0,  ).

 2 (1) n  1

Ans: x 
2
 
 n1 n 2
cos nx

2. Find the half-range sine Series of f  x   eax in the interval (0,  ).


2 n
Ans: f ( x)  
 1 n n 1
2
e (1)n1  1 sin nx

3. Find the Fourier cosine Series of f  x   x in the interval (0, l ).

l 2l 
(1) n  1 n x
Ans: f ( x)   2
2 

n 1 n 2
cos
l
4. Find the Fourier cosine Series of f  x   x2 in the interval (0, l ).

1 2 4l 2    1n  n x
Ans: x  l  2
2

3    2  cos
n 1  n  l

5.  x, 0  x  2
Find the half-range sine Series of f  x   
4  x, 2  x  4 .

16 
1 n  n x
Ans: f ( x) 
 2   n
n 1
2
sin 
2 
sin
4
.

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