12

Fourier Series

12.1 PERIODIC FUNCTIONS

If the value of each ordinate f t repeats itself at equal intervals in the abscissa, then
f t is said to be a periodic function.
If f t  f t  T  f t  2 T  .... then T is called the period of the function f t.
For example :
sin x  sin x  2   sin x  4    so sin x is a periodic function with the period 2 .
This is also called sinusoidal periodic function.

12.2 FOURIER SERIES

Here we will express a non-sinusoidal periodic function into a fundamental and its har-
monics. A series of sines and cosines of an angle and its multiples of the form.
a0
 a1 cos x  a2 cos 2 x  a3 cos 3 x    an cos nx  
2
 b1 sin x  b2 sin 2 x  b3 sin 3 x    bn sin nx  
 
a0
2  n
  a cos nx   bn sin nx.
n  1 n  1
is called the Fourier series, where a0, a1, a2,an,b1, b2, b3bn are constants.
A periodic function f x can be expanded in a Fourier Series. The series consists of the
following:
(i) A constant term a0 (called d.c. component in electrical work).
(ii) A component at the fundamental frequency determined by the values of a1, b1.
(iii) Components of the harmonics (multiples of the fundamental frequency) determined
by a2, a3b2, b3 . And a0, a1, a2, b1, b2 are known as Fourier coefficients or Fourier con-
stants.

850
Fourier Series 851

12.3. DIRICHLET’S CONDITIONS FOR A FOURIER SERIES

If the function f(x) for the interval  ,  
(1) is single-valued (2) is bounded
(3) has at most a finite number of maxima and minima.
(4) has only a finite number of discontinuous
(5) is f x  2  f x for values of x outside [ ,  ], then
a0 P P
Sp x    an cos nx   bn sin nx
2 n1 n1

converges to f(x) as P   at values of x for which f(x) is continuous and to

1
[f x  0  f x  0] at points of discontinuity.
2
12.4. ADVANTAGES OF FOURIER SERIES
1. Discontinuous function can be represented by Fourier series. Although derivatives of
the discontinuous functions do not exist. (This is not true for Taylor’s series).
2. The Fourier series is useful in expanding the periodic functions since outside the closed
interval, there exists a periodic extension of the function.
3. Expansion of an oscillating function by Fourier series gives all modes of oscillation
(fundamental and all overtones) which is extremely useful in physics.
4. Fourier series of a discontinuous function is not uniformly convergent at all points.
5. Term by term integration of a convergent Fourier series is always valid, and it may be
valid if the series is not convergent. However, term by term, differentiation of a Fourier series
is not valid in most cases.
12.5 USEFUL INTEGRALS
The following integrals are useful in Fourier Series.
2 2
(i)  sin nx dx  0 (ii)  cos nx dx  0
0 0
2 2
(iii)  sin2 nx dx   (iv)  cos2 nx dx  
0 0
2 2
(v)  sin nx  sin mx dx  0 (vi)   cos nx cos mx dx  0
0 0
2 2
(vii)  sin nx  cos mx dx  0 (viii)  sin nx  cos nx dx  0
0 0

(ix) [uv]  uv1  uv2  uv3  uv4  

du d2u
where v1   v dx, v2   v1 dx and so on. u 
dx
, u  2 and so on
dx
(x) sin n   0, cos n     1n where n  I
12.6 DETERMINATION OF FOURIER COEFFICIENTS (EULER’S FORMULAE)
a0
f x   a1 cos x  a2 cos 2 x    an cos nx  
2
 b1 sin x  b2 sin 2 x    bn sin nx   ...(1)
(i) To find a0: Integrate both sides of (1) from x  0 to x  2 .
852 Fourier Series

2 2 2 2 2
a0
0 f x dx  0 dx  a1  cos x dx  a2  cos 2x dx  .....  an 0 cos nx dx  
2 0 0
2 2 2
 b1 0 sin x dx  b2 0 sin 2 x dx    bn 0 sin nx dx  
2
a0

2 0 dx, (other integrals = 0 by formulae (i) and (ii) of Art. 12.5)
2
a0 1 2
0 f x dx 
2
2 , a0   f x dx
 0
...(2)

(ii) To find an: Multiply each side of (1) by cos nx and integrate from x  0 to
x  2 .
2 2 2 2
a0
0 f x cos nx dx 
2 0 cos nx dx  a1 0 cos x cos nx dx    an 0 cos2 nx dx
2 2
 b1 0 sin x cos nx dx  b2 0 sin 2 x cos nx dx  ....
2
 an 0 cos2 nx dx  an  (Other integrals = 0, by formulae on Page 851)

1 2
 0
 an 
f x cos nx dx ...(3)

By taking n  1, 2  we can find the values of a1, a2....

(iii) To find bn: Multiply each side of (1) by sin nx and integrate from x  0 to
x  2 .
2 a0 2  2 2
0 f x sin nx dx  
2 0
sin nx dx  a1  cos x sin nx dx    an
0
0 cos nx sin nx dx  
2 2
 b1 0 sin x sin nx dx    bn 0 sin2 nx dx  
2
 bn 0 sin2 nx dx
(All other integrals = 0, Article No. 12.5)
 bn 
2
1
 bn 

0 f x sin nx dx ...(4)

1
Note : To get similar formula of a0, has been written with a0 in Fourier series.
2
Example 1. Find the Fourier series representing
f x  x, 0  x  2 
and sketch its graph from x   4  to x  4 .
a0
Solution. Let f x   a1 cos x  a2 cos 2 x  b1 sin x  b2 sin 2 x   ...(1)
2
Fourier Series 853

2 2 2
1 1 1  x2 
Hence a0 

0 f x dx 

0 x dx 
  2   2
 0
2 2
1 1
an 

0 f x cos nx dx 

0 x cos nx dx
2
1  sin nx cos nx   1  cos 2 n  1  1
  x  1.      2   2 1  1  0
 n  n2   0  n 2 n  n 
2 2
1 1
bn 
 0 f x sin nx dx 
 0 x sin nx dx
2
1 cos nx    sin nx   1   2  cos 2 n  2
  x    1.      n
  n   n2
 0  n 
Substituting the values of a0, a1, a2..., b1, b2 in (1)

x    2  sin x  sin 2 x  sin 3 x    Ans.

1 1
 2 3 

Example 2. Given that f x  x  x2 for    x  , find the Fourier expression of f (x).
2 1 1 1
Deduce that  1 2  2  2  (U.P. II Semester, Summer 2003)
6 2 3 4
a0
Solution. Let x  x2   a1 cos x  a2 cos 2 x    b1 sin x  b2 sin 2 x   ...(1)
2
 
1 1
a0 

  f x dx 

  x  x2 dx

1  x2 x3  1  2 3 2 3  2 2
 2  3        
    2 3 2 3  3
 
1
an 

  f x cos nx dx    x  x2 cos nx dx

1 2 sin nx   cos nx sin nx   

  x  x  n  2 x  1  2  
 n 2
 n3    
1  cos n  cos   n   1 cos n   4   1n
  2   1 2    2   1   4  
  n n 2
  n 2
 n2
 
1 1
bn 

  f x sin nx dx 

  x  x2 sin nx dx
854 Fourier Series


1 2  cos nx    sin nx  cos nx 
  x  x    n   2 x  1  n2   2 n3 
     
1 cos n  cos n  . cos n  cos n  
     2 2      2 2
 n n 3 n n3 
1 2  2
  cos n      1n
 n  n
Substituting the values of a0, an, bn in (1) we get
2 1 1
x  x2   4   cos x  2 cos 2 x  2 cos 3 x   
3  2 3 
1 1
 2   sin x  sin 2 x  sin 3 x   
 ...(2)
 2 3 
 2
 1 1 1 
Put x   in (2),    2 41 2 2 2 ...(3)
3  2 3 4 

2 1 1 1
Put x    in (2),    2   4  1  2  2  2    ...(4)
3  2 3 4 

2 2 1 1 1
Adding (3) and (4) 2 2   8  1  2  2  2   
3  2 3 4 
4 2 1 1 1
 8  1  2  2  2   
3  2 3 4 

2 1 1 1 1
6
 1 2 2  2 
2 3 4  n2
Ans.
n  1

Exercise 12.1
1. Find a Fourier series to represent, f x    x for 0  x  2 .
Ans. 2  sin x  sin 2 x  sin 3 x    sin nx   
1 1 1
 2 3 n 
2. Find a Fourier series to represent x  x2 from x    to  and show that
2 1 1 1 1
 2  2 2 2
12 1 2 3 4 (Mysore 1997, Osmania 1995)

2 sin x sin 2 x sin 3 x sin 4 x

   2 
cos x cos 2 x cos 3 x cos 4 x
Ans.   4  2        
3  1 22
32
42
  1 2 3 4 
3. Find a Fourier series to represent: f x  x sin x, for 0  x  2 .
(A.M.I.E.T.E., Summer 1997, Madras 1997, Mysore 1995)
cos 2 x cos 3 x cos 4 x
  
1
Ans.  1   sin x  cos x  2  2  2  2
2  2  1 3  1 4  1 

4. Find a Fourier series to represent the function f x  ex, for    x   and hence derive a series for .
sinh 
2 sinh    1 1 1 1 
Ans.
   2  12  1 cos x  22  1 cos 2 x  32  1 cos 3 x  
 

  
3
sin 3 x  1  2    
1 2 1 1 1
 2 sin x  2 sin 2 x  2
1 1 2 1 3 1  sinh   2 5 10 
Fourier Series 855

5. Obtain the Fourier series for f x  e  x in the interval 0  x  2 . (Nagpur 1997)
2
1e  1  1 cos x  1 cos 2 x  1 cos 3 x  1 sin x  2 sin 2 x  3 sin 3 x   
Ans. 2 2 
  5 10 2 5 10 
2 
  x 2 cos nx
6. If f (x) =   , 0 < x < 2, show that f x  
 2  12 n  1 n2 (Madras 1998)
2 
 cos nx
7. Prove that x2   4   1n ,   < x < .
3 n1 n2
1 2
Hence show that (i)   (Madras 1997, Mangalore 1997, Warangal 1996)
n 2 6
1 2 1 4
(ii)   (Mangalore 1997) (iii)   (Madras 1997)
2n  12 8 n 4 90
3 x  6 x   2 2
2
8. If f x is a periodic function defined over a period 0, 2  by f x  .
12

cos nx 2 1 1
Prove that f x   n2 and hence show that
6
 1 2  2 
2 3
n  1

12.7 FUNCTION DEFINED IN TWO OR MORE SUB-RANGES

Example 3. Find the Fourier series of the function
 
 1 for   x  
 2
  
f x   0 for   x 
 2 2
 
 1 for
2
 x  .

a0
Solution. Let f x   a1 cos x  a2 cos 2 x    b1 sin x  b2 sin 2 x   ...(1)
2
1  1  /2 1 /2 1 
a0  
 
f x dx  
 
  1 dx  
  /2
0 dx 

/2 1 dx

1  /2 1  1 
 x    x       0
     /2 2 2

1
an 
   f x cos nx dx
 /2 /2 
1 1 1


    1 cos nx dx 
  /2 0 cos nx dx 

/2 1 cos nx dx

 n   n 
sin  1  sin 2 
1 
 /2 
1  sin nx  1  sin n x  2     0
      
  n      n  /2  n  
  n 

1
bn 
   f x sin nx dx
 /2 /2
1 1


    1 sin nx dx 

 /2 0 sin nx dx
856 Fourier Series

  /2 
1 1  cos nx  1 cos nx 
 /2 1 sin nx dx     
  n    n  /2

1  n  1  n 2  n 
  cos
2
 cos n     cos n   cos 2   n  cos 2  cos n  
n  n    
2 2 2
, b2   , b3 
b1 
  3
Putting the values of a0, an, bn in (1) we get
1 2
f x   2 sin x  2 sin 2 x  sin 3 x    Ans.
 3 
Example 4. Find the Fourier series for the periodic function
 0,   x  0
f x  
 x, 0  x  
f x  2   f x
a0
Solution. Let f x   a1 cos x  a0 cos 2 x    b1 sin x  b2 sin 2 x   ...(1)
2
0  
1 1 1  x2  1  2  
a0 

  0 . dx 

0 x dx   
  2 0
   
 2  2
 
1 1  sin nx cos nx  
an  0 x cos nx dx  x  1  
   n  n2   0
1    1n 1  2
   2    2 , when n is odd
 n 2
n  n 
 0 , when n is even.

1  1 cos nx  sin nx   1    1n    1n
bn   x sin nx dx   x     1           
 0   n   n2   0   n  n
Substituting the values of a0, a1, a2  b1, b2, .... in (1), we get
 2  cos x cos 3 x cos 5 x
   
sin x sin 2 x sin 3 x
f x          Ans.
4   12 32 52   1 2 3 
DISCONTINUOUS FUNCTIONS
At a point of discontinuity, Fourier series gives the value of f x as the arithmetic mean
of left and right limits.
At the point of discontinuity, x  c
1
At x  c, f x  [ f c – 0  f c  0 ]
2
 –x0
Example 5. Find the Fourier series for f x, if f x =  –  .
 x, 0x
1 1 1 2
Deduce that 2  2  2  . . . .  (Warangal, 1996)
1 3 5 8
a0
Solution. Let f x   a1 cos x  a2 cos 2x  . . .  an cos nx  . . . .
2
 b1 sin x  b2 sin 2x  . . .  bn sin nx  . . . ... (1)
Fourier Series 857


1
a0 

–  f x dx

1  0   1 1 
  –  dx   x dx   –  x–   x2  20   – 2  2  2  – ;
0 
Then a0 
  – 0      2

1
an 

–  f x cos nx dx
0 
1 0   1  sin nx  x sin nx cos nx  
an    –  cos nx dx   x cos nx dx    –       
  – 0     n –   n n2  

 0 
1  1 1  1 1 

 
0  2 cos n  – 2  
n n   n2
cos n  – 1, bn   f x sin nx dx
 –
0 
1  0   1    cos nx  cos nx sin nx  
bn    –  sin nx dx   x sin nx dx        – x 
  – 0    n  
n n2  
 – 0 
1    1
=  1 – cos n  – n cos n   = n 1 – 2 cos n 
 n 
 2  cos 3x cos 5x sin 2x 3 sin 3x sin 4x
f x  – –  cos x  2   . . .  3 sin x –  – ...(2)
4 
 3 5 2

2 3 4
 2
Putting x  0 in (2), we get f 0 = – –  1  2  2  . . . .  
1 1 f(x )
(3)
4   3 5  – 0  x

Now f x is discontinuous at x  0. –

1
But f 0 – 0  –  and f 0  0  0  f 0  [ f 0 – 0  f 0  0]  –   2
2
  2 1 1 2 1 1 1
From (3), –  – –  2  2  2  . . .  or
1
 2 2 2... Proved
2 4  1 3 5  8 1 3 5
Example 6. Find the Fourier series expansion of the periodic function of period 2 , defined by
   3
f x  x, if   x  , f x    x, if  x 
2 2 2 2

a0
Solution. Let f x   a1 cos x  a2 cos 2 x    b1 sin x  b2 sin 2 x  
2
3 3
/2 /2
1 1 1 x2 1 x2  2
/2   x dx   
2
a0 
  /2 x dx 

 x 
  2   /2   2  /2
1  2 2  1  3 2 9 2 2 2  3 9 1 1
                 0
 8 8   2 8 2 8  2 8 2 8
3
/2
1 1
 /2 /2
2
an  x cos nx dx    x cos nx dx
 
3
1 sin nx cos nx   /2 1 sin nx cos nx   2
  x  1        x    1  
 n  n 2
   /2   n  n2   /2
858 Fourier Series

 n n n n 
sin cos sin cos 
1 2 2  2 2 
     
2 n n 2 2 n n 2


 3n 3n n n 
sin cos sin
1  2 2  2 2 
      cos 2 

 2 n n2 2 n n 

1   3n n 1  3n n

   sin  sin  cos  cos
 2n 2 2  n2  2 2  
1  n 2 n
   sin n  cos  2 sin sin n    0
 n 2 n 2 
/2 3 /2
1 1
bn 

 /2 x sin nx dx 

/2   x sin nx dx
3
/2
2 1
0 /2
2
 x sin nx dx    x sin nx dx
 
3
2 cos nx  sin nx   /2 1  cos nx   sin nx   2
  x     1         x       1  
  n  
2
n  0    n   n2   /2

 n n   3n 3n n n 
cos sin cos sin cos sin
2  2 2  1   2 2  2 2 
        
 2 n n2    2 n n2 2 n n2 

 n n n 3n 
cos 3 sin cos 3 sin
1  2 2  2 2 
      

 2 n n2 2 n n2 
1   3n n 3 n 1 3n 
  2 n  cos 2  cos 2   2 sin 2  2 sin 2 
   n n 

1  n 3 n 1 3n  1  n 3n
  n sin 2 sin n   2 sin 2  2 sin 2   2  3 sin 2  sin 2 
 n n  n  
Substituting the values of a0, a1, a2  b1, b2,  we get
4 sin x sin 3x sin 5x
f x   2     Ans.
 1 32 52 
Example 7. Find the Fourier series of the function defined as
 x for 0  x  
f x   and f x  2   f x.
  x   x  0
 0 
1 1 1
Solution. a0 

  f x dx 

  f x dx 

0 f x dx

0  0 
1 1 1  x2  1  x2 

     x   dx 

0 x   dx  
 2
 x   x
 2
  0
1  2 2 1  2 2 1  1 
  2      2       2  1    2  1  
        
Fourier Series 859

 0 
1 1 1
an 

  f x cos nx dx     f x cos nx dx 

0 f x cos nx dx
0 
1 1


    x   cos nx dx   0 x   cos nx dx
0 
1 sin nx  cos nx   1 sin nx  cos nx  
    x      1       x   n  1   n2  
 n    
n 2
   0

1  1   1n  1    1n 1  2 4
     2   2    1n  1   2 if n is odd.
  n2 n2    n2 n  n  n 
 0 if n is even.
 0 
1 1 1
bn 

  f x sin nx dx 

  f x sin nx dx 
 0 f x sin nx dx
0 
1 1


    x   sin nx dx 

0 x   sin nx dx
0
1 cos nx  sin nx  
    x         1  
  n   n2    

1 cos nx  sin nx  
 x       1  

  n   n2   0
1  1 2  1 2
      1n    [1  2   1n  1]  [1    1n]
n  n n n n
4
 , if n is odd.
n
 0, if n is even.
Fourier series is
a0
f x   a1 cos x  a2 cos 2 x    b1 sin x  b2 sin 2 x  
2
 4 cos x cos 3 x sin x sin 3 x
f x    2      4     
2  1 32   1 3 
Ans.
Exercise 12.2
1. Find the Fourier series of the function
   x  0
f x    1
for
 1 for 0  x  
where f x  2   f x. 41
sin x  sin 3 x  sin 5 x  sin 7 x   
1 1 1
Ans.
  1 3 5 7 
2. Find the Fourier series for the function
 
 4 for   x  0
f x  
  for 0  x  
 4
and f     f 0  f   0, f x  f x  2  for all x.
860 Fourier Series

Deduce that
 1 1 1 sin x sin 3 x sin 5 x sin 7 x
 1    Ans.     ........
4 3 5 7 1 3 5 7
3. Find the Fourier series of the function

 0 for x0

 
f x   1 for 0  x 
 2
 
 0 for  x  
2
4. Obtain a Fourier series to represent the following periodic function
f x  0 when 0  x  
f x  1 when   x  2 
1 2 1 1
Ans.   sin x  sin 3 x  sin 5 x   
2  3 5 
5. Find the Fourier expansion of the function defined in a single period by the relations.
1 for 0  x  
f x  
2 for   x  2
 1 1 1
and from it deduce that  1   
4 3 5 7 3 2 1 1
Ans.  sin x  sin 3 x  sin 5 x   
2   3 5 
6. Find a Fourier series to represent the function
0 for    x  0

f x  
1x for 0  x  
4
2 1 1 1
and hence deduce that  2  2  2 
8 1 3 5 
2  [  1n  1]   1n  
Ans.   cos nx  sin nx   
16  4 n 2 4n 
n  1

7. Find the Fourier series for f x, if

f x    for    x  0
 x for 0  x  

 for x  0
2
1 1 1 2
Deduce that 2  2  2   8
1 3 5 (Warangal 1996)
 2 cos 3 x cos 5 x 1 3 1
Ans.    cos x       3 sin x  sin 2 x  sin 3 x  sin 4 x  
4  32
52 2 3 4
 
8. Obtain a Fourier series to represent the function
f x  | x | for    x  
2 1 1 1
and hence deduce  2 2 2
8 1 3 5
(Madras 1997, Mangalore 1997, A.M.I.E.T.E., Summer 1996)
 4 1 1
Ans.  cos x  2 cos 3 x  2 cos 5 x   
2  3 5
 
Fourier Series 861

9. Expand as a Fourier series, the function f x defined as


f x    x for    x  
2
  
 for   x 
2 2 2

   x for  x  
2
3 2  1 2 1
Ans.   2 cos x  2 cos 2 x  2 cos 3 x   
8 1 2 3 
10. Obtain a Fourier series to represent the function
 f x   sin x for    x  0 
f x  | sin x | for    x    Hint
  sin x for 0  x   

Ans.   cos 2 x 
2 4 1 1 1
cos 4 x  cos 6 x   
  3 15 35 
11. An alternating current after passing through a rectifier has the form
i  I sin  for 0 <  < 
 0 for  <  < 2
Find the Fourier series of the function.
I 2I  cos 2  cos 4   I
(Delhi 1997) Ans.     ....  sin 
   3 15  2
12. If f (x) = 0 for   < x < 0
= sin x for 0 < x < 

1 sin x 2 cos 2mx 1 1 1 1
Prove that f x     . Hence show that        2
 2  m  1 4m2  1 1.3 3.5 5.7 4

12.8 (a) EVEN FUNCTION

A function f x is said to be even (or symmetric) function if, f   x  f x
The graph of such a function is symmetrical with respect to y-axis [f x axis]. Here y-axis
is a mirror for the reflection of the curve.
f (x) f (x)

X X
O O

The area under such a curve from   to  is double the area from 0 to .
 
   f x dx  2 0 f x dx
f (x) f (x)
(b) Odd Function

X
X
O O
862 Fourier Series

A function f x is called odd (or skew symmetric) function if

f   x   f x
Here the area under the curve from   to  is zero.

  f x dx  0

Expansion of an even function:

 
1 2
a0 

  f x dx 

0 f x dx
 
1 2
an 

  f x cos nx dx 
 0 f x cos nx dx

As f x and cos nx are both even functions .

 The product of f x. cos nx is also an even function.

1
bn 
   f x sin nx dx  0

As sin nx is an odd function so f x. sin nx is also an odd function. We need not to calculate
bn. It saves our labour a lot.
The series of the even function will contain only cosine terms.
Expansion of an odd function :

1
a0 
   f x dx  0

1
an 
   f x cos nx dx  0 [f x. cos nx is odd function.]
 
1 2
bn 
   f x sin nx dx 

0 f x sin nx dx

[f x. sin nx is even function.]

The series of the odd function will contain only sine terms.
The function shown below is neither odd nor even so it contains both sine and cosine terms

Example 8. Find the Fourier series expansion of the periodic function of period 2 
f x  x2,    x  
1 1 1 1
Hence, find the sum of the series    
12 22 32 42
(A.M.I.E.T.E., Winter 1996, Madras 1997, Mangalore 1997, Warangal 1996)
Solution. f x  x2,    x  
Fourier Series 863

This is an even function.   bn  0

  
2 2 2  x3  2 2
a0 

0 f x dx 

0 x2 dx   3
  0  
3
 
2 2
an 

0 f x cos nx dx 
 0 x2 cos nx dx

  x2  sin nx   2 x   cos nx   2   sin nx  
2
  n 
  n2   n3   0
    
2  2 sin n  2  cos n  2 sin n   4   1n
     
 n n2 n 3
 n2

a0
Fourier series is f x   a1 cos x  a2 cos 2 x  a3 cos 3 x    an cos nx  
2
2 cos x cos 2 x cos 3 x cos 4 x
x2   4  2      
3  1 22 32 42 
On putting x  0, we have
2 1 1 1 1
 4  2  2  2  2  
0 
3  1 2 3 4 
1 1 1 1  2
or      Ans.
12 22 32 42 12
Example 9. Obtain a Fourier expression for
f x  x3 for    x  .
Solution. f x  x3 is an odd function.
 a0  0 and an  0
 
2 2
bn 

0 f x sin nx dx 

0 x3 sin nx dx




 uv  uv1  uv2  uv3  uv4   


2
  x3 
cos nx 
 3 x2  
sin nx 
 6 x  cos nx   6  sin nx  
  n4  
  n   n2   n3 
    0
2  3 cos n 6  cos n  n  2 6 
      2.  1   
  n n3
  n n3 
  2 6   2 6   2 6  
 x3  2      3  sin x     3 sin 2x     sin 3 x   Ans.
  1 1   2 2

  3 33  
864 Fourier Series

12.9 HALF-RANGE SERIES, PERIOD 0 TO 

The given function is defined in the interval (0, ) and it is immaterial whatever the
function may be outside the interval 0, . To get the series of cosines only we assume that
f x is an even function in the interval    , .

2
an 

0 f x cos nx dx and bn  0

To expand f x as a sine series we extend the function in the interval   ,  as an odd
function.
2 
 0
 f x sin nx dx and an  0
bn 

Example 10. Represent the following function by a Fourier sine series :

 
 t, 0  t
2
f t  

 , 
 t
2 2

2
Solution. bn 

0 f t sin nt dt
/2 
2 2 


0 t sin nt dt 

/2 2
sin nt dt

/2 
2   cos nt  sin nt 2   cos nt 
 t   1   2    
   n   n  0  2  n  /2

 n  
n n 
2  
cos
2
sin   cos n  cos 2 
2
      
 2 n  
n2 n n 
  
2      2 2
b1    cos  sin     cos   cos   [0  1]  [1]   1
 2 2 2  2  

2   cos  sin    cos 2  cos   2     1 

 0      
1 1
b2    2    
  2 2 2   2 2    2 2   2 2
2 1 1
  41  2 1   2
 
 3 3   3 
cos sin   cos 3  cos 2 
2   2 2   
b3        
 2 3 3 2 3 3
  
 
2 1 1  2 1
   2 0  9    3  0    9   3
    
2 1 2 1
f t    1  sin t  sin 2 t      sin 3 t   Ans.
  2  9 3 
Fourier Series 865

Example 11. Find the Fourier sine series for the function
f x  eax for 0  x  
where a is constant.
eax
Solution.  eax sin bx dx  a2  b2 [a sin bx  b cos bx]

2
bn 

0 eax sin nx dx

  eax a
2 
 a2  n2 sin nx  n cos nx 

 0
2 e a n 
  2 2 a sin n  n cos n  2 2 
 a n a n 
2 n 2n
    1n ea   1  2  1    1n ea  
 a2  n2   a  n2   

2 1  ea  2 . 2 . 1  ea 
b1  , b2 
a2  12  . a2  22 

2  1  ea  2 1  ea  
eax   2 sin x  sin 2 x    Ans.
 a 1 2
a 2  22 
Exercise 12.3
1. Find the Fourier cosine series for the function
1 
 for 0<x<
2
f x  
0 
 for <x<.
 2
1 2 1 1
Ans.   cos x  cos 3 x  cos 5 x   
2  3 5 
2. Find a series of cosine of multiples of x which will represent f (x) in (0, ) where

f x  0 for 0 < x <
2
 
f x  for < x < 
2 2
1 1 1   1 1
Deduce that 1     Ans.  cos x  cos 3 x  cos 5 x  
3 5 7 4 4 3 5
3. Express f x  x as a sine series in 0 < x < . 1 1
Ans. 2  sin x  sin 2 x  sin 3 x   
 2 3 
4. Find the cosine series for f x    x in the interval 0 < x < .
 4 cos 3 x cos 5 x
Ans.  cos x     
2   32 52 

5. If f x  x, for 0 < x <
2

   x, for <x<
2
866 Fourier Series

Show that:
4 1 1
(i) f x  sin x  2 sin 3 x  2 sin 5 x    (Madras 1998, Mysore 1997, Rewa 1994)
  3 5 
 2 1 1 1
(ii) f x   cos 2 x  2 cos 6 x  2 cos 10 x    (Delhi 1997, Patel 1997)
4   12 3 5 
6. Obtain the half-range cosine series for f x  x2 in 0 < x < .
2 4  1 1
Ans.  cos x  2 cos 2 x  2 cos 3 x   
3   2 3 
7. Find (i) sine series and (ii) cosine series for the function
f x  ex for 0 < x < .
 
2  1    1n e  e  1 2 1    1n e
Ans. i

 n
 n 1
2  sin nx (ii)
 

  n2  1
cos nx
1 1

8. If f x  x  1, for 0 < x < , find its Fourier (i) sine series (ii) cosine series. Hence deduce that
1 1 1  1 1 1 2
i 1        
ii 1 
3 5 7 4 32 52 72 8
2  1  
Ans. i    2 sin x  sin 2 x    2 sin 3 x  sin 4 x   
 2 3 4 
  cos 3x cos 5x
(ii)  1  4  cos x     
2  32
52

9. Find the Fourier series expansion of the function
fx  cos sx,   x  
1 2 2
where s is a fraction. Hence, show that cot    2  2  ....
   2   42
(A.M.I.E.T.E., Summer 1997)
sin  x 1  sin s   n  sin s   n  
Ans.      cos nx
s   sn sn 
12.10 CHANGE OF INTERVAL AND FUNCTIONS HAVING ARBITRARY PERIOD
In electrical engineering problems, the period of the function is not always 2  but T or
2c. This period must be converted to the length 2  . The independent variable x is also to be
changed proportionally.
Let the function f x be defined in the interval   c, c. Now we want to change the
function to the period of 2  so that we can use the formulae of an, bn as discussed in article
12.6.
... 2 c is the interval for the variable x.
x
 1 is the interval for the variable =
2c
x2 x
 2  is the interval for the variable = 
2c c
x zc
so put z  or x 
c 
Thus the function f x of period 2c is transformed to the function
cz
f   or F z of period 2 .
  
Fourier Series 867

F z can be expanded in the Fourier series.

a
F z  f    0  a1 cos z  a2 cos 2 z  b1 sin z  b2 sin 2 z  
cz
 2
 
2
1 1 2   cz 
where a0 
 0
 F  z dz   f    dz
 0  
2c 2c
1  x  1 x

c 0 f x d    0 fxdx put z 
c c c
2
1 1 2  cz 
an 

0 F z cos nz dz 
 0   
f cos nx dz

2c 2c
1 nx x 1 nx  x


0 f x cos
c
d
c   c 0 f x cos
c
dx.  Put z  c 
   
1 2c nx
c 0
Similarly, bn f x sin dx.
c
Cor. Half range series [Interval (0, c)]
Cosine series:
a x 2 x n x
f x  0  a1 cos  a2 cos    an cos 
2 c c c
c c
2 2 nx
where a0 
c 0 f x dx, an 
c 0 f x cos
c
dx

Sine series:
x 2x nx
f x  b1 sin  b2 sin    bn sin 
c c c
2 c nx
c 0
where f x sin bn 
dx.
c
Example 12. A periodic function of period 4 is defined as
f x  | x | ,  2 < x < 2.
Find its Fourier series expansion.
Solution. f x  | x | 2<x<2
f x  x 0<x<2
 x 2<x<0
c 2 0
1 1 1
a0 
c  c f x dx 
2 0 x dx 
2  2   x dx
2 0
1  x2  1   x2  1 1
    4  0  0  4  2
2  2  0 2  2   2
  4 4
c 2 0
1 nx 1 nx 1 nx
an 
c  c f x cos c
dx 
2 0 x cos
2
dx 
2  2   x cos
2
dx
2
1  2 nx   4 nx
 x sin  1   2 2 cos
2   n  2   n  2  
0
868 Fourier Series

0
1  2 nx nx
   1   2 2  cos
4
    x  sin 
2 n 2   n   2 
2

1 4 4
0  2 2   1n  2 2    0  2 2  2 2   1n 
4 1 4

2  n  n   2  n  n  
1 4 4
 [  1n  1  1    1n]  2 2    1n  1 
2 n2 2 n 
8
  2 2 if n is odd.
n 
 0 if n is even
bn = 0 as f(x) is even function.
Fourier series is
a0 x 2x x 2x
f x   a1 cos  a2 cos    b1 sin  b2 sin 
2 c c c c
 x 3x 5x 
cos cos cos
8  2 2 2 
f x  1  2       Ans.
  1 2
3 2
52

Example 13. Find Fourier half-range even expansion of the function,
f x    x/l  1, 0  x  l.
l l
2 2   x  1  dx
Solution. a0 
l 0 f x dx 
l 0
 l 
 
l
2 x 2
 2  l2  2l 1 
  x   l  2 1  1
l  2l 0 l  2 l  l  
l
2 nx 2 l  x n  x
an  0 f x cos dx      1  cos dx
l l l 0  l  l
l
2 x  l nx   1   l2 nx  
    1   sin        2 2 cos

l  l  n l   l  n  l  
0


2 l l
0  2 2 cos n   2 2   2 l [    1n  1]  2 [1    1n]
l  n  n   l n2 2 n2 2
 
4
 when n is odd.
n2 2
 0 when n is even.
1 4  1 x 1 3x 1 5x 
f x   2  2 cos  2 cos  2 cos  Ans.
2  1 l 3 l 5 l 
Example 14. Find the Fourier half-range cosine series of the function
f t  2 t, 0  t  1
 2 2  t, 1  t  2 (Kuvempu 1996, A.M.I.E.T.E.,Summer 1997 1996)
Solution. f t  2 t, 0  t  1
 2 2  t, 1  t  2
Fourier Series 869

a0 t 2t 3t
Let  a1 cos f t 
 a2 cos  a3 cos 
2 c c c
t 2t 3t
 b1 sin  b2 sin  b3 sin  ...(1)
c c c
Here c = 2, because it is half range series.
c 1 2
2 2 2
Hence a0 
c 0 f t dt 
2 0 2 t dt 
2 1 2 2  t dt
2
1   t2   2
  t2  0   22t    1   4 t  t2  1  1  8  4  4  1  2
  2  1
c 1 2
2 nt 2 nt 2 nt
an 
c 0 f t cos
c
dt 
2 0 2 t cos
2
dt 
2 1 2 2  t cos
2
dt

2 nt  4 n t  1
  2 t  sin   2   2 2 cos
  n 2   n  2   0
2 nt 4 n  t  2
  4  2 t  sin     2   2 2 cos
 n 2   n  2   1
 4 n 8 n 8   8 n 4 n 8 n
  sin  2 2 cos  2 2    0  2 2 cos  sin  2 2 cos
n 2 n  2 n    n  2 n 2 n  2 
8 n 8 4 n 8  n n n
 2 2 cos  2 2 sin  2 2  cos 1 sin
n  2 n  n 2 n   2 2 2 

8   8 4
If n = 1, a1  01 2    2 .
2    
8 16 4
If n = 2, a2  [  1  1]   2   2
4 2 4 

8  3 8 4
If n = 3,  0  1  2    9 2  3 
a3 
9 2  
Putting the values of a0, a1, a2, a3  in (1) we get
8 4 t 4 2t  3t
f t  1   2   cos
8 4 
 2 cos    cos   Ans.
2 2 2
    9 3
2

Example 15. Obtain the Fourier cosine series expansion of the periodic function defined by
t
f t  sin  , 0  t  l
 l 
t
Solution. f t  sin   , 0  t  l
 l 
l
2 l t 2 l t 2 2 4
l 0  dt  l   cos l    cos   cos 0     1  1 
a0  sin 
 l    0   
l l
2 t  nt 1   t nt  nt t
an 
l 0 sin 
l  cos l dt  l 0  sin  l  l   sin  l  l   dt
      
870 Fourier Series

l l
1 t 1 t

l 0 sin n  1
l
dt 
l 0 sin n  1
l
dt

l l
1 l n  1  t  1  l n  1  t 
  cos   l  n  1  cos 
l  n  1  l 0  l 0
1 1
 [cos n  1   cos 0]  [cos n  1   cos 0]
n  1  n  1 
1 1
 [  1n  1  1]  [  1n  1  1]
n  1  n  1 
1 1 1 1
   1n  1    
 n  1   n  1 
 n  1  n  1   
2 2 2
   1 n  1  2  2 [  1n 1  1]
n  1  n  1  n  1 
2

4
 2 when n is even
n  1 
 0 when n is odd.
The above formula for finding the value of a1 is not applicable.
l l
2 t t 1 2t
a1 
l 0 sin
l
cos
l
dt 
l 0 sin
l
dt
l
1 l 2t 1 1
  cos   cos 2  cos 0  0  1  1  0
l  2 l  2l 2l
0
a0 t 2t 3t 4t
f t   a1 cos  a2 cos  a3 cos  a4 cos 
2 l l l l
2 41 2t 1 4t 1 6t 
   cos  cos  cos  Ans.
 3 l 15 l 35 l 
Example 16. Find the Fourier series expansion of the periodic function of period 1
1 1
f x   x,.   x  0
2 2
1 1
  x, 0  x 
2 2 (A.M.I.E.T.E., Winter 1996)
a0 x 2x
Solution. Let f x   a1 cos  a2 cos 
2 c c
x 2x
 b1 sin  b2 sin   ...(1)
c c
1
Here 2 c  1 or c 
2
c
1 1 0 1 1 1/2  1
a0 
c  c f x dx 
1/2  1/2


 2
 x  dx 
 1/2 0  2
 x  dx


 x x2 
0
x x2 1/2 1 1 1 1 1
 2    2     2     2    
2 2   1/2 2 2 0 4 8 4 8 2
Fourier Series 871

c
1 nx
an 
c  c f x cos
c
dx
0 1/2
1 1 nx 1 1 nx

1/2   1/2 

 2
 x  cos
 1/2
dx 
1/2 0 

 2
 x  cos
 1/2
dx
0 1/2
1 1
 2  1/2 

 2
 x  cos 2 n  x dx  2

0 

 2
 x  cos 2 n x dx

1 sin 2 n  x cos 2 n  x   0
 2    x   1  
2  2n  4 n2 2    1/2
1 sin 2 n  x  cos 2 n  x   1/2
 2    x     1  
 2  2n  4 n2 2  0
 1   1   n
  1n 1  1  1   1n 
 20  2 2 
20 2 2  2 2   2  2 
 4n  4n  
2 2
 4n  4n    n n2 
2
 if n is odd
n2 2
 0 if n is even
c
1 nx
bn 
c  c f x sin
c
dx
0 1/2
1 1 nx 1  1  x  sin n  x dx

1/2  1/2 

 2
 x  sin
 1/2
dx 
1/2 0 2


 1/2
0 1/2
 2  1  x  sin 2 n  x dx  2  1  x  sin 2n  x dx

 1/2  2
  2 
 0  
0
1  cos 2 n  x   sin 2 n  x  
 2    x     1  
2  2n   4 n2 2    1/2
1/2
1 cos 2 n  x   sin 2 n  x  
 2    x        1   
 2  2n   4 n2 2   0
1   1 
 2   24n   0
 4 n    
Substituting the values of a0, a1, a2, a3,  b1, b2, b3 in (1) we have
1 2  cos 2  x cos 6  x cos 10  x 
f x     ‘...  Ans.
4 2  12 32 52 
Example 17. Prove that

1 1 1 2nx
2
x 
  n
sin
1
, 0  x  l.
1
1
Solution. f x   x
2
l l l
1 2  1  x  dx  2  lx  x2   0
a0 
l/2 0 f x dx 
l 0 2  l  2 2  0
 
872 Fourier Series

l l
1 nx 2  1  x  cos 2 n  x dx
an 
l/2 0 f x cos
l/2
dx 
l 0 2  l
 
l
2  l 1 2nx l2 2nx 
    x  sin    1 2 2 cos 
l 2  2 n  l 4 n l 0

2 l2 l2 
  0  2 2 cos 2 n   2 2 
l  4n  4n  
2 l2 l
   cos 2 n   1    1  1  0
l 4 n2 2 2 n2 2
l l
1 nx 2  1  x  sin 2 n  x dx
bn 
1/2 0 f x sin
l/2
dx 
l 0 2  l
 
l
2  1 1 2 nx   l2 2 nx  
   x    cos    1   sin 
l 
 2  2 n  l   4n 
2 2 l  

 0 


2 l l cos 2 n   0  l . l 1   2  l 2   l
l2 2n
 2 2n 
 l  2 n   n
Fourier series is
a0 nx 2nx 3nx
f x   a1 cos  a2 cos  a3 cos 
2 l/2 l/2 l/2
nx 2nx 3nx
 b1 sin  b2 sin  b3 sin 
l/2 l/2 l/2
l l 2x l 4x l 6x
 x  sin  sin  sin 
2  l 2 l 3 l

l 1 2nx


 n
sin
l
Proved.
1
Example 18. Find the Fourier series corresponding to the function f (x) defined in
  2, 2 as follows
f x  2 in  2  x  0
 x in 0  x  2.
Solution. Here the interval is   2, 2 and c  2
1 c 1 0 2

a0  
c c
f x dx    2. dx   x. dx 
2  2 0 
0
1  x2  2  1
  2 x       [4  2]  3
2 2 2
 0 2

c
1  nx  1 0 nx 2
nx 
an 
c  c f x cos 
c  dx 
2   2 cos 2 dx  0 x cos
2
dx 
    2 
1  4  nx 0  2 nx 4 nx2
  sin  x sin  cos
2 n
  2   2  n  2 n2 2 2  0 
Fourier Series 873

1 4 4 2
 cos n   2 2   2 2    1n  1 
2  n2 2 n  n 
 
4
  2 2 when n is odd
n 
 0 when n is even.
c 0 2
1 nx 1 nx 1 nx
bn 
c  c f x sin
c
dx 
2  2 2 sin
2
dx 
2 0 x sin
2
dx
0 2
  2
1 nx  1  2 nx  4 nx
  2   n  cos 2    2  x   n  cos 2   1 n2 2 sin 2 
2
   2    0
1 4 4 1 4 4 1 4  2
    cos n     cos n   2 2 sin n        n
2 n  n  2 n  n  2 n 
     
a0 x 2x 3x
f x   a1 cos  a2 cos  a3 cos 
2 c c c
x 2x 3x
 b1 sin  b2 sin  b3 sin 
c c c
3 4  1 x 1 3x
  cos  2 cos   
2 2  12 2 3 2 
21 x 1 2x 1 3x 
  sin  sin  sin    Ans.
1 2 2 2 3 2 

Example 19. Expand f x  ex in a cosine series over (0, 1).

Solution. f x  ex and c  1
c 1
2 2
a0 
c 0 f x dx 
1 0 ex dx  2 e  1
c 1
2 nx 2 nx
an 
c 0 f x cos
c
dx 
1 0 ex cos
1
dx
1
 ex   ex 1 
2 n  sin n  x  cos n  x   2  2 2 n  sin n   cos n   2 2 
 n  1
2 2
0  n   1 n   1 
2
 [   1n e  1 ]
n22  1
a0
f x   a1 cos  x  a2 cos 2  x  a3 cos 3  x  ..........
2
e1 e1 e1
ex  e  1  2  2 cos  x  2 cos 2  x  21
cos 3  x    Ans.
   1 4   1 9  
Exercise 12.4
1. Find the Fourier series to represent f x, where
f x   a c  x  0
 a 0  x  c 4a x 1 3x 1 5x 
Ans.  sin c  3 sin c  5 sin c   
  
2 Find the half-range sine series for the function
f x  2 x  1 0  x  1.
874 Fourier Series

2 1 1
Ans.  sin 2  x  sin 4  x  sin 6  x   
  2 3 
3. Express f x  x as a cosine, half range series in 0 < x < 2.
8  1 x 1 3x 1 5x 
Ans. 1  2  2 cos  2 cos  2 cos 
 1 2 3 2 5 2 
4. Find the Fourier series of the function
 2 4  x2
for
f x   x  2  x  2 
for
 2
for 2  x  4 

4 8 x 2 2x  4 8 3x 2 4x
Ans.  2 sin  sin   2  sin  sin 
  4  4  3  3   4 2  4
5. Find the Fourier series to represent
f x  x2  2 from  2  x  2.
2 16  x 1 1 3x
Ans.   cos 2  cos  x  cos  
3 2  2 4 9 2 
6. If f x  e  x  c  x  c, show that
 1 1 x 1 2x
 c 

f x  ec  e  c  cos  cos 
 2c c 
2 2 c c2  4 2 c 
 1 x 2 2x 
 2 sin c  2 2 sin    (Hamirpur 1996, Mysore 1994)
 c2
  c  4  c 
7. A sinusodial voltage E sin t is passed through a half wave rectifier which clips the negative portion of
the wave. Develop the resulting portion of the function
T
u t  0 when   t  0
2
T  2
 E sin  t when 0  t  T  
2   (Mangalore 1997)
E E 2E  1 1 1
Ans.  sin  t  cos 2  t  cos 4  t  cos 6  t ... 
 2   1.3 3.5 5.7 
8. A periodic square wave has a period 4. The function generating the square is
f t  0 for 2  t1
 k for 1  t  1
 0 for 1  t  2
Find the Fourier series of the function. k 2k  t 1 3t
Ans. f t   cos  cos   
2   2 3 2 
9. Find a Fourier series to represent x2 in the interval  l, l. (Nagpur 1997)
l2 4l2  cos  x cos 3 x 
Ans.  cos  x  
3 2  22 32 

12.11. PARSEVAL’S FORMULA

c 1 2  
 c [f x] 2
dx  c 2 a0    a2n  b2n 
 n1 

a0  nx n  x
Solution. We know that f x    a cos  bn sin ... (1)
2 n  1  n c c 
Multiplying (1) by f(x), we get
Fourier Series 875

 
a0 nx nx
[f x]2  f x   an f x cos   bn f x sin ...(2)
2 n1 c n1 c
Integrating term by term from –c to c, we have
c c  c
a0 nx
 c [f x]2 dx 
2  c f x dx   an
n1
 c f x cos
c
dx

 c
nx
  bn
n1
 c f x sin
c
dx ...(3)

In article 12.10, we have the following results

c
 c f x dx  c a0
c
nx
 c f x cos
c
dx  c an
c
nx
 c f x sin
c
dx  c bn

On putting these integrals in (3), we get

c
a20  a20  
 c [f x]2 dx  c   c a2n   c b2n  c     a2n  b2n 
2 n1 2
 n1 
This is the Parseval’s formula
2c  a20 

Note. 1. If 0 < x < 2c, then  [f x]2 dx  c     a2n  b2n  
0 2  n 1 

c  ac 2 

2. If 0 < x < c (Half range cosine series),  [f x]2  
0
  a2n 
0 2  2 n1 
c 
c a0 2 

3. If 0 < x < c (Half range sine series),  [f x]2 dx     b2n 
0 2  2 n1 
1
 b 2


a [f x] dx 
2

4. R.M.S. =  
 ba 
Example 20. By using the sine series for f(x) = 1 in 0 < x <  show that
2 1 1 1
 1  2  2  2  ...... (Hamirpur 1996)
8 3 5 7
Solution. sine series is f x   bn sin nx

2
bn 
 0 f x sin nx dx

 
2 2  cos nx  2 2


0 1 sin nx dx  
  n 0
 
n
[cos n  1] 
n
[ 1n  1]

4
 if n is odd
n
 0 if n is even
Then, the sine series is
876 Fourier Series

4 4 4 4
1  sin x  sin 3x  sin 5x  sin 7x  ......
 3 5 7
c
c 2
0 [f x]2 dx  b  b22  b23  b24  b25  ......
2 1 
2 2 2 2

  4  4 4 4 
0 12 dx              ......
2    3  5   7  
  16
[x]0     2  1  2  2  2  ......
1 1 1
2
     3 5 7 
  16  1 1 1
  1  2  2  2  ......
2  2   3 5 7 
 
2 1 1 1
 1  2  2  2  ...... Proved.
8 3 5 7
x , o<x<1
Example 21. If f x  
 2  x , 1<x<2
using half range cosine series, show that
1 1 1 4
 4  4  ...... 
4
1 3 5 96
Solution. Half range cosine series is
a0 nx
f x    an cos
2 c
c
2 2  1 2

where a0 
c 0 f x dx   
2  0
 x dx    2  x dx 
1 
1 2

      2x      4  2  2  
 x2   x2  1
2
 0  2 1 2   2
 
c
2 nx
an 
c 0 f x cos
c
dx

2  1 nx 2
nx 
  
2  0
x cos
2
dx    2   cos
2
dx 
1 
1 2
 sin  x  n  x   nx  n  x 
x   cos   sin
2   cos 
2 2 2 
        2  x
    1 
 
 n   n 
2 2 2 2
 n   n 
 2  4   2  4 
  0   1
2 n 4 n 4   4 2 n 4 n 
   sin  2 2 cos  2 2    0  2 2 cos n  sin  2 2 cos 
 n 2 n  2 n   n  n 2 n  2

 8 n 4 4  4  n 
   2 2 cos  2 2  2 2 cos n  2 cos 2  1  cos n
 n  2 n  n   n2   
Fourier Series 877

4 4
a1  0, a2  , a3  0, a4  0, a5  0, a6  ......
 9
c
c  a20 
0 [f x]2 dx 
2  2
 a21  a22  a23  ......

1 2
2  2 16 16 
0  x2 dx   2 2  x2 dx 
2  2  2  81 2  ......
1  
1 2
 x3   2  x3  2 16 16
2    2     2  ......
3
 0  3 1 2  81 2

2 2 16 
 ......
1 1
 2 0     1
3  3 2 2  81 
22 2 16 1 1
  2 1  4  4  ......
3 2   3 5 
2 16  1 1 
 2 1  4  4  ......
6   3 5 
 4
1 1
 1  4  4  ...... Ans.
96 3 5
Example 22. Prove that for 0 < x < 
2  cos 2x cos 4x cos 6x
(a) x   x      ......
6  12 22 32 
8 sin x sin 3x sin 5x 
(b) x   x   2    ......
 1 32 52 
Deduce from (a) and (b) respectively that
 
1 4 1 
(c)   (d)  
n 1n
4 90 n1 n 6 945
Solution. Half range cosine series
 
2 2   x2 x3  2  3 3  2
a0 

0 x   x 

 2  3  2  3   3

0 

2
an 

0 x   x cos nx dx

2 sin nx   cos nx    sin nx
 x  x2    2x     2  n3 
 n  n2
  0
2   1 n  2 
 0   0  2    2    1n  1
 n2 n   n 
4
 when n is even
n2
 0 when n is odd
2
 ......
cos 2x cos 4x
Hence, x   x   4  2 
6 2 42
 
878 Fourier Series

By Parseval’s formula
 a20
2
 0 x2   x2 dx 
2
  a2n

2 1  4  1 1 1 

0 2 x2  2 x3  x4 dx 
2  9   16  24  44  64  ......
   

2  2 x3 2 x4 x5  4  1 1 1 
 3  4  5   18   14  24  34  ......
 0  
2  5 25 5  4  1 1 1 
 3  4  5   18   14  24  34  ......
   
 
4 4 1 1 4
  or  
15 18 n  1 n4 n 1n
4 90
(b) Half range sine series

2
bn 

0 x   x sin nx dx

 2 2   cos nx    sin nx cos nx 
 x  x   n     2x  n2    2 n3 
      0
2  1 n
2 4
  2 3  3   3   1n  1
 n n  n
8
 3 when n is odd
n 
 0 when n is even
8 sin x sin 3x sin 5x
 x   x   3  3  3  ......
 1 3 5 
By Parseval’s formula

2
 0 x2   x2 dx   b2n

2 64 1 1 1
 2  6  6  6  ......
15  1 3 5 
4 1 1 1
 6 6 6
960 1 3 5
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Let S  6  6  6  6  ......   6  6  6  ......   6  6  6  ......
1 1 1
1 2 3 4  1 3 5   2 4 6 
4  1 1 1 4 1 1 1 1
S    6  6  6  ....   6  6  6  6  ....
960  2 4 6  960 2 1 2 3 

4 S
S  
960 64
S 4 63s 4
S  or 
64 960 64 960
Fourier Series 879

4 64 4
S   
960 63 945

1 4
  Proved.
n 1n
6 945
Exercise 12.5
1. Prove that in 0 < x < c,
c 4c  x 1 3x 1 5x 
x   cos c  32 cos c  52 cos c  ......
2 2  
and deduce that
1 1 1 4 1 1 1 1 4
(i)   4  ......  (ii)   4  4  ...... 
1 4 4
3 5 96 14 4
2 3 4 90
12.12. FOURIER SERIES IN COMPLEX FORM
Fourier series of a function f(x) of period 2l is
a x 2x nx
f x  0  a1 cos  a2 cos  ......  an cos  ......
2 l l l
x 2 x nx
 b1 sin  b2 sin  ......  bn sin  ...... ... (1)
l l l
eix  e ix eix  e ix
We know that cos x  and sin x 
2 2i
On putting the values of cos x and sin x in (1), we get
ix  ix 2ix  2ix ix ix 2ix  2ix
a0 e l e l e l e l e e l e l e l
f x   a1  a2  ....  b1 l  b2  .....
2 2 2 2i 2i
a ix 2ix  ix  2i x
 0  a1  ib1 e l  a2  ib2 e l  ....  a1  ib1 e l  a2  ib2 e l  ......
2        
ix 2ix  ix 2ix
 c0  c1 e l  c2 e l  .....  c 1 e l  c 2 e l  .....
 
inx  inx
 c0   cn e l   c n e l
n1 n1
1 1
cn 
a  ibn , c n  a  ibn
2 n  2 n 
a0 1 1 2l

2 l 0
where c0   f x dx
2

1 1 2l
nx i 2l nx  1 1 2l  nx nx 
cn 
2  l 0 f x cos
l
dx   f x sin
l l
dx  cn  
2 l 0
f x cos
 l
 i sin
l 
dx
0 
2l
1  inx
cn 
2l 0 f x e l dx

1 2l inx
2l 0
c n  f x e l dx

Example 23. Obtain the complex form of the Fourier series of the function

f x     x  0
0
1 0  x  
880 Fourier Series


1 1
Solution. c0 
2 0 dx 
2

1
cn 
2
  f x e inx dx

1 0   1   inx 1  e inx
  0  e inx dx   1  e inx dx 
2   
 e dx 
2   in 0
0  2 0
1   in 1 1
 e  1   [cos n  1]    1n  1
2ni 2ni 2ni  

 1
 , n is odd
  in

0 , n is even

1 1  eix e3ix e5ix  1 e ix e 3ix e 5ix 

f x       ......      ......
2 i  1 3 5  i   1 3 5 
1 1  ix  ix 1  3ix  3ix 1  5ix  5ix
  e  e   e  e   e  e   ...... Ans.
2 i  3 5 
Exercise 12.6
Find the complex form of the Fourier series of

 1n 1  in
1. f x  e x ,  1  x  1. Ans .  sinh 1  einx
n 1  n2 2
2 2  e2it  e 2it e4it  e 4it e6it  e 6it 
2. f x  eax ,  l < x < l Ans.    ....
   1  3 35 57 

a  1n einx
3. f x  cos ax ,    x   Ans. sin a  
  a2  n2

12.13 PRACTICAL HARMONIC ANALYSIS

Sometimes the function is not given by a formula, but by a graph or by a table of cor-
responding values. The process of finding the Fourier series for a function given by such values
of the function and independent variable is known as Harmonic Analysis. The Fourier constants
are evaluated by the following formulae :
2
1
(1) a0 

0 f x dx
2 b
1  1 
 2
20
0  Mean f x dx
b  a
a f x dx 
 
or a0  2 [mean value of f x in 0, 2 ]
2 2
1 1
(2) an 

0 f x cos nx dx  2
20
0 f x cos nx dx

an  2 [ mean value of f x cos nx in 0, 2 ]

2 2
1 1
(3) bn 

0 f x sin nx dx  2
20
0 f x sin nx dx

bn  2 [mean value of f x sin nx in 0, 2 ]

Fourier Series 881

Fundamental of first harmonic. The term a1 cos x  b1 sin x in Fourier series is called
the fundamental or first harmonic.
Second harmonic. The term a2 cos 2 x  b2 sin 2 x in Fourier series is called the second
harmonic and so on.
Example 24. Find the Fourier series as far as the second harmonic to represent the
function given by table below :
x 0o 30o 60o 90o 120o 150o 180o 210o 240o 270o 300o 330o
f (x) 2.34 3.01 3.69 4.15 3.69 2.20 0.83 0.51 0.88 1.09 1.19 1.64
Solution
f (x) . f (x) . f (x) . f (x) .
xo sin x sin 2x cos x cos 2x f (x)
sin x sin 2x cos x cos 2x
0o 0 0 1 1 2.34 0 0 2.340 2.340
o
30 0.50 0.87 0.87 0.50 3.01 1.505 2.619 2.619 1.505
o
60 0.87 0.87 0.50 – 0.50 3.69 3.210 3.210 1.845 – 1.845
o
90 1.00 0 0 – 1.00 4.15 4.150 0 0 – 4.150
o
120 0.87 – 0.87 – 0.50 – 0.50 3.69 3.210 – 3.210 – 1.845 – 1.845
o
150 0.50 – 0.87 – 0.87 0.50 2.20 1.100 – 1.914 – 1.914 1.100
o
180 0 0 –1 1.00 0.83 0 0 – 0.830 0.830
210o – 0.50 0.87 – 0.87 0.50 0.51 – 0.255 0.444 – 0.444 0.255
240o – 0.87 0.87 – 0.50 – 0.50 0.88 – 0.766 0.766 – 0.440 – 0.440
o
270 – 1.00 0 0 – 1.00 1.09 – 1.090 0 0 – 1.090
o
300 – 0.87 – 0.87 0.50 – 0.50 1.19 – 1.035 – 1.035 0.595 – 0.595
o
330 – 0.50 – 0.87 0.87 0.50 1.64 – 0.820 – 1.427 1.427 0.820
25.22 9.209 – 0.547 3.353 – 3.115

25.22
a0  2  Mean of f x  2   4.203
12
3.353
a1  2  Mean of f x cos x  2   0.559
12
 3.115
a2  2  Mean of f x cos 2 x  2    0.519
12
9.209
b1  2  Mean of f x sin x  2   1.535
12
 0.547
b2  2  Mean of f x sin 2 x  2    0.091
12
Fourier series is
a0
f x   a1 cos x  a2 cos 2 x    b1 sin x  b2 sin 2 x  
2
 2.1015  0.559 cos x  0.519 cos 2 x    1.535 sin x  0.091 sin 2 x   Ans.
882 Fourier Series

Example 25. A machine completes its cycle of operations every time as certain pulley
completes a revolution. The displacement f (x) of a point on a certain portion of the machine
is given in the table given below for twelve positions of the pulley, x being the angle in degree
turned through by the pulley. Find a Fourier series to represent f (x) for all values of x.
x 30o 60o 90o 120o 150o 180o 210o 240o 270o 300o 330o 360o
f (x) 7.976 8.026 7.204 5.676 3.674 1.764 0.552 0.262 0.904 2.492 4.736 6.824

Solution.
x sin x sin 2x sin 3x cos x cos 2x cos 3x f(x) f(x)  f(x)  f(x)  f(x)  f(x)  f(x) 
sin x sin 2x sin 3x cos x cos 2x cos 3x
30o 0.50 087 1 0.87 0.50 0 7.976 3.988 6.939 7.976 6.939 3.988 0
o
60 0.87 0 0 0.50 –0.50 –1 8.026 6.983 6.983 0 – 4.013 4.013 –8.026
o
90 1.00 0.87 –1 0 –1 0 7.204 7.204 0 –7.204 0 –7.204 0
o
120 0.50 –0.87 0 – 0.50 – 0.50 1 5.676 4.938 – 4.939 0 –2.838 –2.838 5.676
o
150 0.50 –0.87 1 – 0.87 0.50 0 3.674 1.837 –3.196 –3.196 –3.196 1.837 0
o
180 0 0 0 –1 1 –1 1.764 0 0 –1.764 –1.764 1.764 –1.764
o
210 –0.50 0.87 –1 – 0.87 0.50 0 0.552 –0.276 0.480 0.480 – 0.480 0.276 0
240o –0.87 0.87 0 – 0.50 – 0.50 1 0.262 –0.228 0.228 – 0.131 – 0.131 0.131 0.262
270o –1.00 0 1 0 –1.00 0 0.904 –0.904 0 0 0 – 0.904 0
o
300 –0.87 –0.87 0 0.50 –0.50 –1 2.492 –2.168 –2.168 1.246 1.246 –1.296 –2.492
o
330 –0.50 –0.87 –1 0.87 0.50 0 4.736 –2.368 – 4120 4.120 4.120 2.368 0
o
360 0 0 0 1 1 1 6.824 0 0 0 6.824 6.824 6.824
 50.09 19.206 0.207 0.062 14.733 0.721 0.460

50.09
a0  2  Mean value of f x  2   8.34
12
14.733
a1  2  Mean value of f x cos x  2   2.45
12
0.721
a2  2  Mean value of f x cos 2 x  2   0.12
12
0.460
a3  2  Mean value of f x cos 3 x  2   0.08
12
19.206
b1  2  Mean value of f x sin x  2   3.16
12
0.207
b2  2  Mean value of f x sin 2 x  2   0.03
12
0.062
b3  2  Mean value of f x sin 3 x  2   0.01
12
Fourier series is
a
f x  0  a1 cos x  a2 cos 2 x  a3 cos 3 x    b1 sin x  b2 sin 2 x  b3 sin 3 x  
2
 4.17  2.45 cos x  0.12 cos 2 x  0.08 cos 3 x  ..
Fourier Series 883

 3.16 sin x  0.03 sin 2 x  0.01 sin 3 x   Ans.

Example 26. Obtain the constant term and the coefficient of the first sine and cosine
terms in the Fourier series of f (x) as given in the following table.
x 0 1 2 3 4 5
f (x) 9 18 24 28 26 20
Solution.
x x x x x
x sin cos f (x) f x sin f x cos
3 3 3 3 3
0 0 0 1.0 9 0 9

1 0.867 0.5 18 15.606 9
3
2
2 0.867 – 0.5 24 20.808 – 12
3
3
3 0 – 1.0 28 0 – 28
3
4
4 – 0.867 – 0.5 26 – 22.542 – 13
3
5
5 – 0.867 0.5 20 – 17.340 10
3
 125 – 3.468 – 25
125
a0  2 Mean of f x  2   41.66
6
x  25
a1  2 Mean of f x cos  2   8.33
3 6
x  3.468
b1  2 Mean of f x sin  2   1.156
3 6
a0 x x
x  is  a1 cos
Fourierf series    b1 sin 
2 3 3
x x
 20.83  8.33 cos    1.156 sin  Ans.
3 3
Exercise 12.7
1. In a machine the displacement f (x) of a given point is given for a certain angle xo as follows:
xo 0o 30o 60o 90o 120o 150o 180o 210o 240o 270o 300o 330o
f (x) 7.9 8.0 7.2 5.6 3.6 1.7 0.5 0.2 0.9 2.5 4.7 6.8

Find the coefficient of sin 2 x in the Fourier series representing the above variations. Ans.  0.072
2. The displacement f x of a part of a machine is tabulated with corresponding angular moment ‘x’ of
the crank. Express f x as a Fourier series upto third harmonic.
xo 0o 30o 60o 90o 120o 150o 180o 210o 240o 270o 300o 330o
f (x) 1.80 1.10 0.30 0.16 0.50 1.30 2.16 1.25 1.30 1.52 1.76 2.00

Ans. f x  1.26  0.04 cos x  0.53 cos 2 x  0.1 cos 3 x  

 0.63 sin x  0.23 sin 2 x  0.085 sin 3 x  
884 Fourier Series

3. The following values of y give the displacement in cms of a certain machine part of the rotation x
of the flywheel. Expand f x in the form of a Fourier series.
 2 3 4 5
x 0
6 6 6 6 6
f (x) 0 9.2 14.4 17.8 17.3 11.7
Ans. f x  11.733  7.733 cos 2 x  2.833 cos 4 x  
 1.566 sin 2 x  0.116 sin 4 x  
4. Analyse harmonically the data given below and express y in Fourier series upto the second harmonic.
 2 4 5
x 0  2
3 3 3 3
y 1.0 1.4 1.9 1.7 1.5 1.2 1.0