The Fourier Transform

Thomas Lam

Syosset High School

 Thomas Lam

Abstract
The Fourier Transform, invented by French mathematician Joseph Fourier, separates a signal into
the frequencies that make it up. How the Fourier Transform works can be explained in numerous
ways, but perhaps simplest by comparing the Fourier Transform formula to the formula for wave
correlation. The Fourier Transform has many important uses, such as solving Partial Differential
Equations (PDEs) and compressing audio files. It is one of the most brilliant concepts in
mathematics.

1. Introduction
The Fourier Transform (FT) finds the frequencies that form a signal. FT shows how any

waveform can be represented as a sum of cosine waves. This revolutionary concept is used every day in

signal processing, audio compression, and even image processing. FT can also be considered as a

generalization of the Fourier Series across the entire plane as opposed to a finite interval. [3]

The FT of a waveform f(x) is defined as:

Where x represents time, and k represents frequency in hertz. Alternatively, the Discrete Fourier

Transform (DFT) finds the FT of a discrete signal xn:

Where N is the sample size.

2. Explanation

Ideally, any function can be represented as a sum of sinusoids. If some f(x), for example x3, is

estimated with an infinite sum of sinusoids, then those sinusoids would be the frequencies that make up

signal f(x). This is similar to how a Taylor Series expresses a non-polynomial function as an infinite sum

of terms in the form axn.

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There are various ways to interpret how the Fourier Transform works. For example, the signal

can be represented as a series of cycles, each with an individual frequency, amplitude, and phase shift.

Here, FT will be explained in comparison with wave correlation.

It is easier to first explain DFT. One may find the following expression rather discouraging:

Fortunately, by Euler’s Formula, , this is simply equivalent to:

With various algebraic manipulations, DFT becomes:

It is important to note here that in this form, DFT closely resembles two signal correlation calculations.

[2] For instance, in the real part of Xk, signal xn is compared with a cosine wave. A greater real part of Xk

indicates higher correlation between signal xn and a cosine wave with frequency k/N.

The x coordinate of the absolute maxima of Xk over the interval [0, N-1] represents the optimal

value of k in which a cosine wave with frequency k/N most matches xn. In the imaginary part, k would

represent a sine wave with frequency k/N instead.

The continuous-time Fourier Transform is similar to the operation of the Discrete Fourier

Transform. However, the sample size is infinite, and to summate the infinite samples that are

infinitesimally apart, the integral is used.

FT is used more in a mathematical sense, while DFT is used more in real-world applications like

audio compression (not all frequencies are audible to the human ear).

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3. Example

Let f(x) be the combination of two sinusoids, .

The following graph shows f(x) in blue, and its Fourier Transform,

in orange. δ(x) is the Dirac Delta Function.

The x-coordinate of each delta function in the Fourier Transform represents a frequency present in f(x).

Their height corresponds to the amount of that frequency present.

4. Practical Applications

The Fourier Transform has many valuable uses. One example is how a radio station can transmit

sound waves. For AM (Amplitude Modulation) radio stations, the sound wave to be transmitted is

multiplied by a carrier wave, whose frequency is unique to each radio station. [1] After multiplying,

only the amplitude of the carrier wave is affected, and its frequency remains the same. The carrier wave

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is broadcasted to radios. When radios are receiving these waves, they will also receive carrier waves

from other radio stations, and so their combined signals will make static. Clearly, the Fourier Transform

can be used to separate these waves, and then their frequencies can be used to distinguish which radio

station it was broadcasted from. It can be seen that the original sound wave could be derived after

finding the correct broadcasted wave.

The Fourier Transform also helps in audio compression. In order to reduce the file size of an

audio file, the Fourier Transform of the sound wave can be stored instead. An audio file would likely

have many sinusoids that make it up, however some of these frequencies cannot be heard, so these can

be left out.

Additionally, the Fourier Transform can simplify differential equations. FT has a property in

which differentiation in the time domain is the same as multiplication in the frequency domain. FT can

turn a partial differential equation problem into basic algebra, where then the inverse Fourier Transform

can be used to convert back to the time domain.

5. Conclusion

How the Fourier Transform works is more explainable in comparison with wave correlation. The

Fourier Transform has many important uses influencing the modern world, such as the function of radio

and solving PDEs. The Fourier Transform is one of the most useful and influential tools of mathematics.

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Bibliographic References

1. Amplitude Modulation. Retrieved from http://fas.org/man/dod-101/navy/docs/es310/AM.htm

2. An Intuitive Discrete Fourier Transform Tutorial. Retrieved from

http://practicalcryptography.com/miscellaneous/machine-learning/intuitive-guide-discrete-

fourier-transform/

3. Weisstein, E. Fourier Transform. Retrieved from

http://mathworld.wolfram.com/FourierTransform.html