56 Fourier Series

INTRODUCTION

- Series is the sum of terms

- There are few mathematical series such as power series, Taylor series, binomial series
and so on.
- A Fourier series is an expansion of a periodic function, f (t) in terms of an infinite sum
of cosines and sines
- Generally, the formula of Fourier series can be written as:

a0

f (t ) an cos nt bn sin nt
2 n1

- Fourier methods give us a set of powerful tools for representing any periodic function
as a sum of sines and cosines.
- Many problems in physics or engineering involve vibrations and oscillations. Often the
oscillatory motion is simple (e.g. weights on springs, pendulums, harmonic waves etc.)
and can be represented as single sine or cosine functions. However, in many cases
(electromagnetism, heat conduction, quantum theory, etc.) the waveforms are not
simple and unlike sines and cosines, can be difficult to treat analytically.
- In other words, any periodic function can be resolved as a summation of constant
value and cosine and sine functions:

a0

f (t ) an cos nt bn sin nt
2 n 1
a0
= a1 cos t b1 sin t a2 cos 2t b2 sin 2t a3 cos3t b3 sin 3t ...
2

- The computation and study of Fourier series is known as harmonic analysis and is
extremely useful as a way to break up an arbitrary periodic function into a set of
simple terms that can be plugged in, solved individually and then recombined to
obtain the solution to the original problem or an approximation to it to whatever
accuracy is desired or practical.
57 Fourier Series

- Figure below shows Fourier series and its individual plot (break up):

- General equation for Fourier series with an and bn:

a0
f (t )
an cos nt bn sin nt
2 n1

2
where Fundamental frequency
T
T

f (t )dt
2
a0
T
0

T T

f (t ) cos nt dt f (t )sin nt dt
2 2
an bn
T T
0 0

T /2

*we can also use the integrals limit

T /2
58 Fourier Series

Some helpful identities:

sin() = sin cos() = cos
For n integers:
sin = 0 cos = (1)
sin 2n 0 cos 2n 1

Example 1
Determine the Fourier series representation of the following waveform:
59 Fourier Series

[Additional notes]
- The sum of the Fourier series terms can evolve (progress) into the original waveform
- From Example 1, we obtain this equation after expansion of the first three terms:
1 2 2 2
f (t ) sin t sin 3 t sin 5 t
2 3 5
- It can be demonstrated that the sum will lead to the square wave:
60 Fourier Series
61 Fourier Series

Example 2

Given f (t ) t , 1 t 1

f (t 2) f (t )

Sketch the graph of f (t) such that 3 t 3.

Then compute the Fourier series expansion of f (t).
62 Fourier Series

Example 3

2 t , 0 t 2
Given v(t )
0 , 2t 4
v(t 4) v(t )

Sketch the graph of v (t) such that 0 t 12.

Then compute the Fourier series expansion of v (t).
63 Fourier Series

Symmetry Considerations
- Symmetry functions:
(i) Even symmetry
(ii) Odd symmetry
- How to know if the function is even or odd?
(i) By plotting the function:
Any function f (t) is even if its plot is symmetrical about the vertical axis
(mirror to y-axis/f(x) axis), i.e.

Any function f (t) is odd if its plot is antisymmetrical about the vertical axis (
rotate 180 degree about the origin), i.e.
64 Fourier Series

(ii) By using f (-t)

If
f (t ) f (t ) , then the function is even

If
f (t ) f (t ) , then the function is odd.

Example 4
Determine whether the following function is odd, even or neither odd nor even:

(a) f (t ) t (b) g (t ) t (c) h(t ) t 2t 1

2 3 2

(d) k (t ) 7 (e) l (t ) sin 3t (f) m(t ) cos3t

65 Fourier Series

The use of symmetry is to simplify we determine Fourier series function

Properties of even and odd functions
Even symmetry
The integral of an even function from A to +A is twice the integral from 0 to +A

Odd symmetry
The integral of an odd function from A to +A is zero

From the properties of even and odd functions, we can show that:
(i) for even periodic function;
T /2
4
an
T f (t ) cos ntdt
0
bn 0
(ii) for odd periodic function;
T /2
a0 an 0 bn
4
f (t ) sin ntdt
T 0
66 Fourier Series

The product properties of even and odd functions are:

(even) (even) = (even)
(odd) (odd) = (even)
(even) (odd) = (odd)
(odd) (even) = (odd)

How to use the product properties:

67 Fourier Series

Example 5
1 , 2 t 1

Given f (t ) t , 1 t 1
1 , 1 t 2

f (t 4) f (t )

Sketch the graph of f (t) such that 6 t 6.

Then compute the Fourier series expansion of f (t).
68 Fourier Series

Example 6
Compute the Fourier series expansion of f (t).
69 Fourier Series

Function defines over a finite interval

- Fourier series only support periodic functions
- In real application, many functions are non-periodic
- The non-periodic functions are often can be defined over finite intervals, e.g.

- Therefore, any non-periodic function must be extended to a periodic function first,

before computing its Fourier series representation
- Normally, we prefer symmetry (even or odd) periodic extension instead of normal
periodic extension, since symmetry function will provide zero coefficient of either an
or bn
- This can provide a simpler Fourier series expansion
70 Fourier Series
71 Fourier Series

Half-range Fourier Series Expansion

- The Fourier series of the even or odd periodic extension of a non-periodic function is
called as the half-range Fourier series
- This is due to the non-periodic function is considered as the half-range before it is
extended as an even or an odd function
- If the function is extended as an even function, then the coefficient bn= 0, hence

a0
f (t )
2 n1
an cos nt

which only contains the cosine harmonics.

- Therefore, this approach is called as the half-range Fourier cosine series
- If the function is extended as an odd function, then the coefficient an= 0, hence

f (t ) b sin nt
n 1
n

which only contains the sine harmonics.

- Therefore, this approach is called as the half-range Fourier sine series
72 Fourier Series

Example 7
Compute the half-range Fourier sine series expansion of f (t), where

f (t ) 1 , 0 t
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Example 8
Determine the half-range cosine series expansion of the function:

f (t ) 2t 1 , 0 t 1
Sketch the graphs of both f (t) and the periodic function represented by the series
expansion for 3 < t < 3.
74 Fourier Series

Tutorial Fourier Series

1. Graph each of the following functions:

3 0<<5
a) () = { Period = 10
3 5 < < 0
sin 0
b) () = { Period = 2
0 < < 2
0 0<2
c) () = { 1 2 < 4 Period = 6
0 4<6
2. Expand () = sin , 0 < < , in a Fourier cosine series.
3. Expand () = , 0 < < 2, in a half range
a) Sine series
b) Cosine series
4. Let () be a function of period 2 such that

1, x 0
f ( x)
0, 0 x
a) Sketch a graph of () in the interval 2 < < 2
b) Show that the Fourier series for () in the interval < < is

1 2 1 1
sin x sin 3x sin 5 x ...
2 3 5
c) By giving an appropriate value to x, show that
1 1 1
1 ...
4 3 5 7
5. Let () be a function of period 2 such that

0, x 0
f ( x)
x, 0 x
a) Sketch a graph of () in the interval 3 < < 3
b) Show that the Fourier series for () in the interval < < is

2 1 1
cos x cos3x cos5x ...
4 9 25
75 Fourier Series

c) By giving an appropriate value to x, show that

1 1 1 2 1 1 1
(i) 1 ... and (ii) 1 ...
4 3 5 7 8 9 25 49
6. Let () be a function of period 2 such that

x, 0 x
f ( x)
, x 2
a) Sketch a graph of () in the interval 2 < < 2
b) Show that the Fourier series for () in the interval 0 < < 2 is

3 2 1 1 1 1
cos x cos3x cos5 x ... sin x sin 2 x sin 3 x ...
4 9 25 2 3
c) By giving an appropriate value to x, show that:

1 1 1 2 1 1 1
(i) 1 ... and (ii) 1 ...
4 3 5 7 8 9 25 49
7. Let () be a function of period 2 such that

x
f ( x) over the interval 0 x 2
2
a) Sketch a graph of () in the interval 0 < < 4
b) Show that the Fourier series for () in the interval 0 < < 2 is

1 1
sin x sin 2 x sin 3x ...
2 2 3
c) By giving an appropriate value to x, show that:
1 1 1
1 ...
4 3 5 7
8. Let () be a function of period 2 such that

x, 0 x
f ( x)
0, x 2
a) Sketch a graph of () in the interval 2 < < 2
b) Show that the Fourier series for () in the interval 0 < < 2 is
76 Fourier Series

2 1 1 1 1 1
cos x cos3x cos5 x ... sin x sin 2 x sin 3 x sin 4 x ...
4 9 25 2 3 4
c) By giving an appropriate value to x, show that:

2 1 1 1
1 ...
8 9 25 49
9. Let () be a function of period 2 such that
f ( x) x in the range - x
a) Sketch a graph of () in the interval -3 < < 3
b) Show that the Fourier series for () in the interval < < is

1 1
2 sin x sin 2 x sin 3x ...
2 3
c) By giving an appropriate value to x, show that:
1 1 1
1 ...
4 3 5 7
10. Let () be a function of period 2 such that

f ( x) x2 over the interval - x

a) Sketch a graph of () in the interval -3 < < 3
b) Show that the Fourier series for () in the interval < < is

2 1 1
4 cos x 2 cos 2 x 2 cos3x ...
3 2 3
c) By giving an appropriate value to x, show that:

2 1 1 1
1 ...
6 22 32 42