19 Fourier Series and Practical Harmonic Analysis

Example 1: Obtain the Fourier series of f ( x )  e  ax in   x   .

a0  
Solution: Let f ( x)    an cos nx   bn sin nx
2 n1 n 1


1  e ax  2sinh a
 
1  1  1 a
 f ( x) dx    e e  e a 
 ax
where a0  dx    
   a   a a


1  1  1  e  ax 
 f ( x) cos nx dx    e
 ax
an  cos nx dx   2 (a cos nx  n sin nx) 
  a  n 2
 


1
 ae  cos n  ae  cos n 
a a


 a n 2 2

a cos n e a  e  a  2a(1) n sinh a
 

 a 2  n2  
 a 2  n2 

1  1  1  e  ax 
 f ( x) sin nx dx    e
 ax
bn  sin nx dx   2 (a sin nx  n cos nx) 
  a  n 2
 
2n (1) n  e  a  e a 

n
 e  a cos n  e a cos n    

 a 2  n2  
 a 2  n2   2 
2n (1) n
 sinh a

 a 2  n2 
Therefore
sinh a 2a sinh a 
(1) n 2sinh a 
n (1) n
f ( x)  e ax    cos nx   sin nx
a  n 1 a 2
 n2   n 1 a 2
 n2 

( 1)n 2
Example 2: Prove that x   4 2 cos nx ,    x   . Hence show that
2
3 n 1 n

1 2 1 1 1 1 2
(i)  n2  6
(iii)   
12 22 32 42
 ... ... 
12
1 2 1 4
(ii)  (2n  1)2  8 (iv)  n4  90
a0  
Solution: Let f ( x)  x 2    an cos nx   bn sin nx ... (1)
2 n1 n 1

Then by Euler’s formulae,

1
 
1 1  x3 
 2 2
a0   x dx    
2
    3   3

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

1 cos n cos n  4(1)n

 (2 )  (2 ) 
  n2 n2  n2

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

1  2 cos n cos n   2 cos n cos n 

  ( ) 2   ( ) 2   0
  n n  
3
n n3  

Substituting a0 , an and bn in equation (1), we get

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

Put x   in this equation

2 
(1)n 2 
(1)n
2   4 2
cos n   4 2
(1) n
3 n 1 n 3 n 1 n


1 2 1 1 1 1 2
  n2  6 or   
12 22 32 42
 ... ... 
6
... (3)
n 1

Put x  0 in equation (2)

2 
(1) n 
(1) n  2
0  4 2
  2

3 n 1 n n 1 n 12

1 1 1 1 2
or     ... ...  ... (4)
12 22 32 42 12

Now adding the equations (3) and (4), we have

1 1 1   2 2
2
2  2  2  2  ... ...    
1 3 5  12 6 4

1 1 1 2 1 2
or  
12 32 52
 ... ... 
8
i.e.  (2n  1)2 8


2
Now multiply equation (2) with x 2 throughout and integrating w.r.t. X from 0 to  , we get

 2  
(1)n 
0 x 4 dx  0 x 2 dx  4 2 0 x
2
cos nx dx
3 n 1 n

  
 x5   2  x3  
(1)n  2  sin nx   sin nx  
      4 2 

x 
 n 
   cos nx 
   2 x    2    2   3 
 n   n 0
 5 0 3  3 0 n 1 n

1   5  5   (1)n  (1) n 
   2  2 
8  5 9  n1 n  n 

1 4
  n4  90
Example 3: Obtain the Fourier series of f ( x )  x  x 2 in   x   .

a0  
Solution: Let f ( x)    an cos nx   bn sin nx ... (1)
2 n1 n 1

Then Euler’s constants a0 , an and bn are given by


1  1  x 2 x3  2 2
a0   ( x  x ) dx      
2
    2 3   3


1  sin nx  
 sin nx 
  cos nx 
1 
an   ( x  x ) cos nx dx   x  x 2 
2
  1  2 x    2    2    3  
    n   n   n   
1 cos n cos n  4(1) n
 (1  2 )  (1  2 ) 
  n2 n 2  n2


1  cos nx  
 cos nx 
  sin nx 
1 
bn   ( x  x ) sin nx dx   x  x 2  
2
  1  2 x    2    2   3  
    n   n   n   
1 2 cos n cos n 2 cos n cos n  2(1) n
  (   )  2  (    )  2 
  n n3 n n3  n

Therefore the Fourier series for f ( x)  x  x 2 is

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

2  cos x cos 2 x cos3x   sin x sin 2 x sin 3x 

 x  x2    4 2   2  ... ...  2     ... ...
 1   1 
2
3 2 3 2 3

3
Putting x  0 , we find another interesting series

2 1 1 1 1  1 1 1 1  
2
0  4  2  2  2  2  ... ...    
12 22 32 42  ... ... 
 12
3 1 2 3 4   

Example 4: Expand f ( x )  x sin x as a Fourier series in the interval (0, 2 ) .

a0  
Solution: Let f ( x)    an cos nx   bn sin nx
2 n1 n 1

1 2 1 2
 x   cos x   1.   sin nx   2
 0
Then a0  x sin x dx 
 0

1 2 1 2

 0 0
an  x sin x cos nxdx  x(2cos nx sin x)dx
2

1 2

2 0 x sin(n  1) x  sin(n 1) x  dx
2
1    cos(n  1) x cos(n  1) x    sin(n  1) x sin(n  1) x 
 x     1.   
2   n 1 n 1   (n  1)
2
(n  1) 2  0

1    cos 2(n  1) cos 2(n  1)  2


2  2  n 1

n 1
  2 , n  1
   n  1

1 2 1 2

 0 0
When n  1 , a1  x sin x cos x dx  x sin 2 x dx
2
2
1    cos 2 x    sin 2 x   1
 x    1.    
2   2   4 0 2

Finally,

1 2 1 2 1 2
bn 
 0
x sin x sin nxdx 
2 0 x(2sin nx sin x)dx 
2 0 x cos(n 1) x  cos(n  1) x dx
2
1   sin(n  1) x sin(n  1) x    cos(n  1) x cos(n  1) x 
 x     1.   
2   n  1 n  1   ( n  1) 2
(n  1) 2  0

1   cos 2(n  1) cos 2(n  1)   1 1 

         0, (n  1)
2   (n  1)
2
(n  1) 2   (n  1) 2 (n  1) 2 

4
 1 2 1 2 1 2
When n  1 , b1 
 0
x sin x sin x dx 
 0
x sin 2 x dx 
2 0 x 1  cos 2x  dx
2
1   sin 2 x   x 2 cos 2 x  
 x  x    1.     
2   2   2 4  
0

1 2 2
Therefore, x sin x  1   sin x  cos x  2 cos 2 x  2 cos3x  ... ...
2 2 1 3 1

Example 5: Expand f ( x )  1  cos x , 0  x  2 in a Fourier series. Hence evaluate

1 1 1
   ... ...
1.3 3.5 5.7

x
Solution: We have f ( x)  1  cos x  2 sin , 0  x  2
2

a0  
Let f ( x)    an cos nx   bn sin nx
2 n1 n 1

2
1 2 x 2 x 4 2
Then a0 
 0 2 sin dx 
2 
 
2cos  
2 0 

1 2 x 2 2 x
 0 
an  2 sin cos nxdx  2cos nx sin dx
2 2 0 2

1 2   1  1 

2 0 sin  n   x  sin  n   x  dx
  2  2 

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

2  1 1 

2   2n  1 cos(2n  1)  1  2n  1 cos(2n  1)  1

2 2 2  4 2
   
  2n  1 2 n  1   4n 2  1  
1 2 x 2 2 x
bn 
 0 2 sin sin nxdx 
2 2 0
2sin nx sin dx
2

1 2   1  1 

2 0 cos  n   x  cos  n   x  dx
  2  2 

5
 2
1  2  2n  1  2  2n  1  
  2n  1 sin  2  x  2n  1 sin  2  x 
2      0

2
sin(2n  1)  0  0
1 1
   sin(2n  1)  0 
  2n  1 2n  1 


2 2 4 2 1
Therefore, f ( x)  1  cos x 



 (4n2  1) cos nx
n 1

Putting x  0 , we find


2 2 4 2 1 1 1 1 1
1  cos 0  0 



 (4n2  1) i.e.  
1.3 3.5 5.7
 ... ... 
2
n 1

CONDITIONS FOR A FOURIER EXPANSION

The reader must not be misled by the belief that the Fourier series expansion of f ( x) in each case
shall be valid. The above discussion has merely shown that if f ( x) has an expansion, then the
coefficients are given by Euler’s formulae. The problems concerning the possibility of
expressing a function by Fourier series and convergence of this series are many and
cumbersome. Such questions should be left to the curiosity of a pure-mathematician. However,
almost all engineering applications are covered by the following well-known Dirichlet’s
conditions:
 
a
Any function f ( x) can be developed as a Fourier series f ( x)  0   an cos nx   bn sin nx
2 n1 n 1

where a0 , an , bn are constants, provided:

(i) f ( x) is periodic, single valued and finite;

(ii) f ( x) has finite number of discontinuities in any one period;
(iii) f ( x) has at the most a finite number of maxima and minima.

FUNCTIONS HAVING PONT OF DISCONTINUITY

In deriving the Euler’s formulae for a0 , an , bn it was assumed that f ( x) was continuous. Instead
a function may have a finite number of points of finite discontinuity i.e. its graph may consists of
a finite number of different curves given by different equations. Even then such a function is
expressible as a Fourier series.

For instance, if in the interval ( ,   2 ) , f ( x) is defined by

6
  ( x),   x  c
f ( x)  
 ( x), c  x    2

i.e. c is the point of discontinuity, then

1 c   2
a0    ( x ) dx    ( x)dx 

  c 

1 c   2
an    ( x) cos nxdx    ( x) cos nxdx 

  c 

1 c   2
bn    ( x)sin nxdx    ( x)sin nxdx 
   c 

At a point of finite discontinuity x  c , there is a finite jump in the graph of function. Both the
limit on the left f (c  ) and the limit on right f (c  ) exist and different. At such a point, Fourier
series gives the value of f ( x) as the arithmetic mean of these two limits, i.e. at x  c ,

f (c  )  f ( c  )
f ( x) 
2

  ,    x  0
Example 6: Find the Fourier series expansion for f(x), if f ( x )  
 x, 0 x .

1 1 1 2
 
Deduce that 12 32 52  ... ...  .
8

a0  
Solution: Let f ( x)    an cos nx   bn sin nx ... (i)
2 n1 n 1

Then


1 0 
 1  x2   1  2  2  
 ( )dx   x dx     x           
0
a0 
   0     2 0    2  2



1   sin nx   sin nx cos nx  
0
1 0 

  
an  ( ) cos nxdx   x cos nx dx      x   
0     n   n n2 0 

(1) n  1

 n2

2 2 2
 a1  , a2  0, a3  , a4  0, a5  etc.
 .12
 .32
 .52

Finally,

7
 
1   cos x    cos nx  sin nx  
0
1 0 

  
bn  ( )sin nxdx   x sin nx dx       x    2  
0     n    n  n 0 


1  
1  cos n   cos n   1  2cos n 
1
 
 n n  n

1 1
 b1  3, b2   , b3  1, b4   , etc.
2 4

Hence substituting the values of a’s and b’s in (i), we get

 2  cos x cos 3x cos 5 x  sin 2 x 3sin 3x sin 4 x

f ( x)     2    ... ...   3sin x     ... ... ... (ii)
4  1 32
52
 2 3 4

which is the required result.

Putting x=0 in (ii), we obtain

 2 1 1 1 
f (0)     2  2  2  ...   ... ... (iii)
4  1 3 5 

Now f(x) is discontinuous at x=0. As a matter of fact f (0 )   and f (0 )  0

1
 f (0 )  f (0 )   

 f (0)   
2 2

Hence (iii) takes the form

  2 1 1 1  1 1 1 2
         
  12 32 52 
... whence the result ... .
2 4  12 32 52 8

 I 0 sin x , 0  x  
Example 7: An alternating current i   after passing through a
 0,   x  2
rectifier, where I 0 is the maximum current and period is 2 . Expresss i as a Fourier series
1 1 1
and evaluate    ... ...
1.3 3.5 5.7

 I 0 sin x, 0  x   a  
Solution: Let i    0   an cos nx   bn sin nx ... (i)
0,   x  2 2 n1 n 1

Now,

1  2
0 dx   0   cos x 0  0
I  2I
a0 

 0
I 0 sin x dx   
  

8
 1  2 
I 0 sin x cos nx dx   0.cos nx dx   0
I
an  
  0   2 0 (2sin x cos nx) dx

I  I  cos(1  n) x cos(1  n) x 
 0 0 sin(1  n) x  sin(1  n) x dx  0  1  n  1  n 
2 2 0


I  cos(n  1) x cos(n  1) x  I  cos(n  1) cos(n  1) 1 1 
 0     0    
2  n  1 n  1  0 2  n  1 n 1 n  1 n  1 

When n is odd, n-1, n+1 are even;  cos(n 1)  cos(n  1)  1

I0  1 1 1 1 
Hence an     0
2  n  1 n  1 n  1 n  1 


When n is even, n-1, n+1 are odd;  cos(n 1)  cos(n  1)  1

I0  1 1 1 1  2 I 0
Hence an    n  1  n  1  n  1  n  1   , n 1
2 
 n2  1 
Now

1  2 
I 0 sin x sin nx dx   0.sin nx dx   0
I
bn  
  0   2 0 (2sin x sin nx) dx

I sin(1  n) x sin(1  n) x 
cos(1  n) x  cos(1  n) x dx  0 
I 
 0
2 0 2  1  n

1  n  0
 0, n 1

Therefore equation (i) becomes

 I sin x, 0  x   I 
2I0
i 0  0  cos nx  a1 cos x  b1 sin x
0,   x  2  n2  (1  n2 )
n even

Now, we will find a1 and b1 ,

1  2  
I 0 sin x cos x dx   0.cos x dx   0
I I
a1  
  0   2 0 (2sin x cos x) dx  20 0 sin 2 x dx

I   cos 2 x  I0
 0     cos 2  cos 0   0
2  2 0 4

1  2  
0.sin x dx   0
I I0
b1 

 0
I 0 sin x sin x dx   
  0 sin x sin x dx 
2 0 1  cos 2x  dx

9
 
I0  sin 2 x  I0  sin 2  I
 x      0  0  0
2  2 0 2  2  2

 I sin x, 0  x   I 
2I0 I
i 0  0  cos nx  0 sin x
0,   x  2  n2  (1  n )
2
2
n even


I0 I0 2I cos 2mx



2
sin x  0

 (2m)2  1
m 1

I0 I0 2 I  cos 2 x cos 4 x cos 6 x 

  sin x  0  2  2  2  ... ... 
 2   2 1 4 1 6 1 

Put x=0 in this equation

I0 I0 2 I  cos 2 cos 4 cos 6 

f ( )  0   sin   0     ... ... 
 2   3 15 35 

1 1 1 1
    ... ...  .
1.3 3.5 5.7 2

 2
x , 0 x
Example 8: Find the Fourier series of the function f ( x )  
 x ,    x  

2

Solution:


1  x 3   x3  
0

 
1 0  2

  
a0   x dx   x dx          0
2
0    3   3 0 
 

 
1 0  2
an    x 2
cos nxdx   x cos nxdx 

  0 

  sin nx   
0

  x2
1 
   sin nx 

 n 
 cos nx 
   2 x    2    2    3   
 n   n    
  
   sin nx  


  x
2
   sin nx 

 n 
 cos nx 
   2x    2    2   3 
 n   n  0


  

1   cos n    cos n  
    2       2      0
   n
2
   n
2
 

And

 
1 0  2
bn    x 2
sin nxdx   x sin nxdx 

  0 
10
   cos nx   
0

1 
 
  x2
 cos nx 

 n 
 sin nx 
   2 x    2    2   3   
 n   n    
  
   cos nx  


  x
2
   cos nx 

 n 
 sin nx 
   2x    2    2  3 
 n   n  0


  

1   1 2  cos n   cos n    2  cos n   cos n   1  

   2   3    
  n 
 
 n
   2 
  n  
3  
     
 n
   2 
  n
3    2   3  
  n  

1  4 4(1) n 2 2 (1) n  2 (1) n1

  
  n3
   
4
( 1) n
 1 
n3  n
3
n n

2
Case: When n=even, bn  
n

2 8 2 4 
Case: When n=odd, bn   3    2 
n n  n n

Therefore,

a0  
f ( x)    an cos nx   bn sin nx
2 n1 n 1


 f ( x)   bn sin nx  b1 sin x  b2 sin 2 x  b3 sin 3x  ... ...
n 1

 4 2 4 
 2     sin x   sin 2 x      sin 3x  ... ...
  3 9 

Problems:
0,   x  0
1. Develop f ( x) in a Fourier series in the interval ( ,  ) , if f ( x)   .
1, 0 x 
 ,    x  0
2. Find the Fourier series expansion for f ( x)   . Deduce that
 x, 0 x 
1 1 1 2
   ...  .
12 32 52 8
3. Find the Fourier series of the function defined in one period by the relations
1, 0 x  1 1 1 
f ( x)   and deduce that 1     ... ...  .
2,   x  2 3 5 7 4

11
 
0,   x  0
4. Find the Fourier series of f ( x)   2 which is assumed to be periodic

x , 0 x 
with period 2 .

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) exists]. Here y-axis is a
mirror for the reflection of the curve.

B) ODD FUNCTION:

A function f ( x) is said to be odd function if,

f ( x)   f ( x)

Example: Find the Fourier series expansion of the periodic function f ( x )  x 2 ,    x   of

1 1 1 1
period 2 . Here, find the sum of the series 2
 2  2  2  ... ...
1 2 3 4

Solution: Given that f ( x)  x 2 ,   x  

This is an even function. Therefore bn  0


2  2  2  x3  2 2
a0  0 f ( x) dx  0 x dx    
2
    3 0 3

2  2 

 0  0
an  f ( x) cos nx dx  x 2
cos nx dx


2  sin nx   cos nx   sin nx  
  x2 

 
 n 
   2x    2    2   3 
 n   n 0


 1
n
2  sin n   cos n   sin n  
  2 

 
 n
   2   
  n2
   2   3   4 2
  n 0 n

a0
Fourier series is f ( x)   a1 cos x  a2 cos 2 x  a3 cos3x  ... ...
2
12
 2  cos x cos 2 x cos3x cos 4 x 
x2  4 2   2   ... ...
 1 
2 2
3 2 3 4

On putting x  0 , we have

2 1 1 1 1  1 1 1 1 2
0  4  2  2  2  2  ... ... or     ... ... 
3 1 2 3 4  12 22 32 42 12

Example: Obtain a Fourier series expression for f ( x )  x 3 ,   x   .

Solution: Here f ( x)  x3 is a odd function.

 a0  0 and an  0

2  2 

 0  0
bn  f ( x)sin nx dx  x 3
sin nx dx


2  cos nx  2  sin nx   cos nx   sin nx  

 
  x3  
 n  
 
  3x   2    6 x   3    6   4  
n   n   n 0

2  3  cos n   cos n   n  6
 
2
       6      2  1    3
  n   n 
3
 n n 

  2 6   2 6   2 6  
 x3  2      3  sin x     3  sin 2 x     3  sin 3x  ...
  1 1   2 2   3 3  

Example: If f ( x )  cos x , expand f ( x ) as a Fourier series in the interval   ,   .

Solution: As f ( x)  cos( x)  cos x  f ( x), f ( x)  cos x is an even function.

a0
 f ( x)    an cos nx
2

where

 2  
 cos x  dx   2   cos x  dx 
2 2

 0   0
a0  cos x dx 

 cos x is -ve when  2 x 

2  2  4


sin x0  sin x 2  
 

and

13
 2 

 0
an  cos x cos nx dx

2  
 cos x  cos nx dx   2   cos x  cos nx dx 
2

  0



1  
cos (n  1) x  cos (n  1) x dx   2 cos (n  1) x  cos (n 1) x dx 
2

  0



 2 
1   sin (n  1) x sin (n  1) x   sin (n  1) x sin (n  1) x  
       
   n  1 n  1 0  n 1 n  1  2 

1   sin (n  1)  2 sin (n  1)  2   sin (n  1)  2 sin ( n  1)  2 

      
   n 1 n 1   n 1 n 1 

2  cos n 2 cos n  2  4cos n 2

   , n 1

  n 1 n 1  
 n2  1  
2 2 
In particular, a1   cos 2 x dx   cos 2 x dx   0
  0  2 

2 4 1 1 
Hence cos x    cos 2 x  cos 4 x  ... ...
  3 15 

Example: Obtain the Fourier series for f ( x )  x sin x in the interval (  ,  ) .

Solution: Since f ( x)  x sin x is an even function of x, therefore bn  0 .

a0 
Let f ( x)  x sin x    an cos nx
2 n1

2  2 2
x sin x dx   x( cos x)  1.( sin x)0  ( cos  )  2


 0
Then a0 
 

2  1 
an 
 0 x sin x cos nx dx 
 0 x (2cos nx sin x) dx
1 
x sin(n  1) x  sin(n  1) x dx
 0



1   cos(n  1) x cos(n  1) x   sin(n  1) x sin(n  1) x 
  x     1.   
  n 1 n 1   (n  1)
2
(n  1)2  0

1   cos(n  1) cos(n  1) 

     , n 1
   n 1 n  1 
14
 cos(n  1) cos(n  1)
 
n 1 n 1

When n is odd, n  1 , n-1 and n+1 are even

1 1 2
 an     2
n  1 n 1 n 1

When n is even, n-1 and n+1 are odd

1 1 2
 an    2
n  1 n 1 n 1

2  1 

 0
When n  1 , we have an  x sin x cos x dx   x (2sin x cos x) dx
 0

1  1   cos 2 x   sin 2 x  

 0 x sin 2 x dx   x  
  2 
  1.  


4   0

1   cos 2  1
    
   2  2

1  cos 2 x cos3x cos 4 x cos5 x 

 f ( x)  x sin x  1  cos x  2   2  2  2  ... ... 
 2 1 3 1 4 1 5 1 
2
2

   1 1 1 
Putting x  , we get  1  2  2  2  2  ... ... 
2 2  2 1 4 1 6 1 

  1 1 1 
  1  2  2  2  2  ... ... 
2  2 1 4 1 6 1 

 2 1 1 1
     ... ...
4 1.3 3.5 5.7

 2
x , 0 x
Example: Find the Fourier series of the function f ( x )   2
 x ,    x  


 2
x , 0  x    2
x ,   x  0
Solution: Since f ( x)   2  2   f ( x)
 x ,     x   
  x , 0 x

Therefore, it is an odd function and hence a0 , an are zero and

2 

 0
bn  x 2
sin nxdx

15
 
2  2  cos nx   sin nx   cos nx  


 
 x 
 n 
   2 x    2    2  3 
 n   n  0

2  2  cos n  cos n  1 


 
  
 n

   2 
  n
3

   2  3 
  n 

2  2 2(1) n  2 (1) n  2 (1) n1

  
  n3

n3
 
n  n3

4
( 1) n
 1   n

 
2 (1) n1 
Therefore, 
4
f ( x)    3 (1)n  1 

  sin nx
n 1  n n 

Problems
1. Obtain the Fourier series for the function f ( x)  x cos x in the interval ( ,  ) .
2sin a  sin x sin 2 x sin 3x 
2. Show that for ( ,  ) , sin ax   2 2 2 3 2  ... ...  .
 1  a 2
2 a 2
3 a 2

 x,   x  
3. Find the Fourier series of the function f ( x)   . and hence show that
  x, 0 x 
1 1 1 2
   ... ...  .
12 32 52 8
k ,   x  0
4. Find the Fourier series to represent the function f ( x)   . Also
k , 0 x 
 1 1 1
deduce that  1     ... ... .
4 3 5 7
 
1,   x  
2

  
5. Find the Fourier series for the function f ( x)  0,  x .
 2 2
 
1,  x 
 2

0,   x  0
6. Find the Fourier series for the function f ( x)   2 and deduce that

x , 0 x 
 1 1 1
 1     ... ... .
4 3 5 7
7. Find a Fourier series for f ( x)   x from x  c to x  c .
8. Find a Fourier series to represent for f ( x)  x 2 in the interval (l , l ) .
0,  2  x  1

9. Find the Fourier series for the function f ( x)  k , 1  x  1 .
0, 1 x  2

16
Half Range Series:
Sometimes it is required to expand a function f ( x) in the range (0,  ) in Fourier series of period
2  or more generally in the range (0, l ) in a Fourier series of period 2l .

If it is required to expand f ( x) in the interval (0, l ) , then it is immaterial what the function may
be outside the range 0  x  l . We are free to choose it arbitrarily in the interval (l , 0) .

If we extend the function f ( x) by reflecting it in the y-axis so that f ( x)  f ( x) , then the

extended function is even for which bn  0 . The Fourier expansion of f ( x) will contain only
cosine terms.

If we extend the function f ( x) by reflecting it in the origin so that f ( x)   f ( x) , then the

extended function is odd for which a0 , an  0 . The Fourier expansion of f ( x) will contain only
sine terms.

Hence a function f ( x) defined over the interval 0  x  l is capable of two distinct half-range
a0  n x
series. The half-range cosine series is f ( x)    an cos
2 n1 l

2 l 2 l n x
Where a0  
l 0
f ( x) dx; an   f ( x) cos
l 0 l
dx


n x 2 l n x
The half-range sine series is f ( x)   bn sin , where bn   f ( x)sin dx .
n 1 l l 0 l

Cor: 1. If the range is 0  x   , then

a0 
(i) The half range cosine series is f ( x)    an cos nx , where
2 n1
2  2 

 0  0
a0  f ( x) dx; an  f ( x) cos nx dx
 
2
The half-range sine series is f ( x)   bn sin nx , where bn 
 0
(ii) f ( x)sin nx dx
n 1

17
Example: Express f ( x )  x as a half range sine series in 0  x  2 .

Solution: Let us extend the function f ( x)  x in the interval 2  x  0 so that the new function
is symmetrical about the origin and, therefore, represents an odd function in (2, 2) . Hence the
Fourier series for f ( x) over the full period (2, 2) will contain only sine terms given by


n x
f ( x)   bn sin
n 1 2

2 2 n x 2 n x
where bn 
2 0
f ( x )sin
2
dx  0
x sin
2
dx

n x n x 
2
 2x 4 4(1) n
  cos  2 2 sin  
 n 2 n 2  0 n

4 4 4 4
Thus b1  , b2   , b3  , b4   , etc.
 2 3 4

Hence the Fourier sine series for f ( x) over the half range 0  x  2 is

4  x 1 2 x 1 3 x 1 4 x 
f ( x)   sin  sin  sin  sin  ... 
 2 2 2 3 2 4 2 

Example: Obtain the half-range sine series for f ( x )  e x in 0  x  1 .

Solution: Let us extend the function f ( x)  e x in the interval 1  x  0 so that the new function
is symmetrical about the origin and, therefore, represents an odd function in (1, 1) . Hence the
Fourier series for f ( x) over the full period (1, 1) will contain only sine terms given by

1
  ex 
f ( x)   bn sin n x , where bn  2 e sin n x dx  
1 x
(sin n x  n cos n x ) 
1  n 
2 2
0
0
n 1

 e 1 
 2 (n cos n )  (n ) 
1  n  1 n  
2 2 2 2

2 2n
  en (1)n  n  
2 2 
1  e (1)n 
1 n   2 2 
1 n  

Hence

n[1  e(1)n ]
e x  2  sin n x
n 1 1  n 
2 2

 1  e   1 e   1 e  
 2  2 
sin  x  2  2 
sin 2 x  3  2 
sin 3 x  ...
 1     1  4   1  9  
18
  l
 kx when 0  x 
Example: Obtain the half-range cosine series for f ( x )   2
 k (l  x ) l
when  xl
 2

1 1 1
in 0  x  1 . Deduce the sum of the series 2
 2  2  ... ...
1 3 5

a0  n x
Solution: Let f ( x)    an cos
2 n1 l

Then

2 l2
k (l  x) dx 
2 l l
a0 
l 0
f ( x ) dx 
l 0
kx dx  l 2 
 l 2
 
l

2   kx 2  x 2   
    k  lx   
l   2 0   2   
 l 2

2  kl 2  l 2   l 2 l 2   2  kl 2  kl
   k  l 2    k      
l  8  2   2 8   l  4  2

2 l n x 2 l2 n x l n x 
an 
l 0
f ( x ) cos
l
dx  
l 0
kx.cos
l
dx  l 2
k (l  x). cos
l
dx 

2  n x  
l 2 l
1 n x l2 n x   1 n x l2
  kx. sin  k . 2 2 cos   k (l  x). sin  k . 2 2 cos  
l   n l n l 0  n l n l l 2 
 

2   kl 2 n kl 2  n    kl 2 kl 2 n kl 2 n 
  sin  2 2  cos  1    2 2 cos n  sin  2 2 cos 
l   2n 2 n  2   n  2n 2 n 2 

2  2kl 2 n kl 2 kl 2  2kl  n 
  2 2 cos  2 2  2 2 cos n   2 2 2cos  1  cos n 
l n  2 n n  n  2 

n
When n is odd, cos  0 and cos n  1  an  0  a1  a3  a5  ......  0
2

2kl 8kl
2 2
When n is even, a2  2cos   1  cos 2    2 2 ;
2 2

2kl
a4   2cos 2  1  cos 4   0;
42  2

19
 2kl 8kl
2 2
a6  2cos3  1  cos 6    2 2 and so on.
6 6

kl 8kl  1 2 x 1 6 x 1 10 x 
 f ( x)   2  2 cos  2 cos  2 cos  ... ...  ... (1)
4  2 l 6 l 10 l 

Putting x  l , f (l )  0

kl 8kl  1 1 1 
 from (1), we have 0   2  2  2  2  ... ... 
4   2 6 10 

2 1 1 1 1  
2
1 1 1
    ... ...       ... ...  
22 62 102 32 22  12 32 52  32

1 1 1 2
Hence    ... ...  .
12 32 52 8

Problems:

1. a) Obtain cosine and sine series for f ( x)  x in the interval 0  x   . Hence show that
1 1 1 2
   ... ...  .
12 32 52 8
l 4l  x 1 3 x 1 5 x 
b) Prove that for 0  x  l , x   2  cos  2 cos  2 cos  ... 
2   l 3 l 5 l 
2. Find the half range cosine series for the function f ( x)  x 2 in the range 0  x   .
3. Find the half range cosine series for the function f ( x)  ( x  1)2 in the range 0  x  1 .

Hence show that

1 1 1 1 2
(i)     ... ... 
12 22 32 42 6
1 1 1 1 2
(ii)     ... ... 
12 22 32 42 12
1 1 1 1 2
(iii)     ... ... 
12 32 52 72 8
4. Express f ( x)  x as a half range
(i) Sine series in 0  x  2
(ii) Cosine series in 0  x  2 .
 
 x, 0 x
2
5. Find the Fourier sine and cosine series of f ( x)   .
0, 
 x 
 2
6. Find the half range sine series for the function f (t )  t  t 2 , 0  t  1 .

20
 7. Prove that for 0  t   ,
 2  cos 2t cos 4t cos 6t 
t (  t )     2  ... ... 
6  12 2 2
3 
1 1
 4  x, 0  x  2
8. Find the half range sine series for f ( x)   .
x  3 , 1  x  1
 4 2
l l
9. Let f ( x)   x, when 0  x  and f ( x)   (l  x), when  x  l . Show that
2 2
4l 
(1)n (2n  1) x
f ( x) 
2
 (2n  1)2 sin l . Hence obtain the sum of the series
n 0

1 1 1
   ... ...
12 32 52
 
sin x, for 0  x 
10. If f ( x)   4 . Expand the function in the series of sine.
cos x,  
for x
 4 2

Assinment-1

1. Obtain a Fourier series to represent 𝑒 −𝑎𝑥 from 𝑥 = −𝜋to 𝑥 = 𝜋. Hence derive series for
𝜋 𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎ𝜋.
𝜋2 ∞ 𝑛 cos 𝑛𝑥
2. Prove that 𝑥 2 = +4 𝑛 =1(−1) , −𝜋 < 𝑥 < 𝜋.
3 𝑛2

1 𝜋2
Hence show that (i) =
𝑛2 6

1 𝜋2
(ii) =
(2𝑛−1)2 8

1 1 1 1 1 𝜋2
(iii) 12 + 22 + 32 + 4 2 + 52 … = 12

1 𝜋4
(iv) = .
𝑛4 90

𝜋−𝑥 2 𝜋2 ∞ cos 𝑛𝑥
3. If 𝑓 𝑥 = in the range 0 to 2𝜋, show that 𝑓 𝑥 = + 𝑛=1 𝑛 2 .
2 12
2𝑎 2 1 ∞ (−1)𝑛
4. Prove that in the range −𝜋 < 𝑥 < 𝜋, cosh𝑎𝑥 = sinh 𝑎𝜋 + 𝑛=1 𝑛 2 +𝑎 2 cos 𝑛𝑥 .
𝜋 2𝑎 2
5. 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 + 𝑥 2 for−𝜋 < 𝑥 < 𝜋 and 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝜋 2 for 𝑥 = ±𝜋. Expand 𝑓(𝑥)in Fourier series.
𝜋2 ∞ 𝑛 4 2
Hence Show that 𝑥 + 𝑥 2 = + 𝑛=1(−1) cos 𝑛𝑥 − 𝑛 sin 𝑛𝑥
3 𝑛2

1 1 1 𝜋2
and + 32 + 52 … = .
12 8

21
 Assinment-2

State giving reasons whether the following functions can be expanded in Fourier series in the
interval −𝜋 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝜋.

1. 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝑥
2. sin⁡
(1/𝑥)
𝑚 +1 𝜋 𝜋
3. 𝑓 𝑥 = , 𝑚 +1 < 𝑥 ≤ 𝑚 , 𝑚 = 1, 2, 3 … … . . ∞
𝑚

Assinment-3

1. Find the Fourier series to represent the function 𝑓(𝑥) given by

𝑥 𝑓𝑜𝑟 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝜋
𝑓 𝑥 =
2𝜋 − 𝑥 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝜋 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2𝜋
1 1 1
Deduce that12 + 32 + 52 … … . ∞

2. An alternating current after passing through a rectifier has the form

𝐼0 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑥 𝑓𝑜𝑟 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝜋
𝑖=
0 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝜋 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2𝜋

where𝐼0 is the maximum current and the period is 2𝜋

1 1 1
Express 𝑖as a Fourier series and evaluate + 3.5 + 5.7 … ∞.
1.3

0, − 𝜋 < 𝑥 < 0
3. Draw the graph of the function 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥 2 , 0 < 𝑥 < 𝜋.

If𝑓 2𝜋 + 𝑥 = 𝑓(𝑥), obtain Fourier series of 𝑓(𝑥).

4. Find the Fourier series of the following function:

𝑥2 , 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝜋
𝑓 𝑥 =
−𝑥 2 , −𝜋 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 0.

5. Find a Fourier series for the function defined by

22
 −1, −𝜋 < 𝑥 < 0
𝑓 𝑥 = 0, 𝑥=0
1, 0 < 𝑥 < 𝜋
1 1 1 𝜋
Hence prove that 1 − 3 + 5 − 7 + ⋯ ∞ = 4.

Assinment-4

1. Obtained the Fourier series for 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝜋𝑥 in 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2.

2. (i) Find the Fourier series to represent 𝑥 2 in the interval (0, a).

(ii) Find a Fourier series for 𝑓 𝑡 = 1 − 𝑡 2 when −1 ≤ 𝑡 ≤ 1.

2 ∞ 4
3. If 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 − 𝑥 2 in 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2, show that𝑓 𝑥 = 3 − 𝑛=1 𝑛 2 𝜋 2 cos 𝑛𝜋𝑥.
𝑥, 0≤𝑥≤3
4. Find the Fourier series for 𝑓 𝑥 =
6 − 𝑥, 3 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 6
5. A sinusoidal voltage 𝐸 sin 𝜔𝑡 is passed through a half –wave rectifier which clips the
negative portion of the wave. Develop the resulting periodic function

𝑇
0, <𝑡≤0 −
𝑈 𝑡 = 2
𝑇
𝐸 sin 𝜔𝑡 , 0 ≤ 𝑡 ≤
2
and 𝑇 = 2𝜋/𝜔, in a Fourier series.

𝜋𝑥, 0<𝑥<1
6. Find the Fourier series of the function 𝑓 𝑥 = 0, 𝑥=1
𝜋 𝑥−2 , 1<𝑥 <2
𝜋 1 1 1 1
Hence show that 4 = 1 − 3 + 5 − 7 + ⋯

Assinment-5

1. Obtain the Fourier series expansion of 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 in (0, a). Hence show that

𝜋2 1 1 1
= 2+ 2+ 2…
6 1 2 3
2 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑎𝜋 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥 2𝑠𝑖𝑛 2𝑥 3𝑠𝑖𝑛 3𝑥
2. Show that for −𝜋 < 𝑥 < 𝜋, 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑥 = − + −⋯
𝜋 12 −𝑎 2 22 −𝑎 2 32 −𝑎 2
3. Expand the function 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥 as a Fourier series in the interval −𝜋 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝜋
1 1 1 1
Deduce that − + −⋯= 𝜋−2 .
1.3 3.5 5.7 4

1 𝑛
∞ 𝑛(−1)
4. Prove that in the interval −𝜋 < 𝑥 < 𝜋, 𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 = − 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥 + 2 𝑛 =2 𝑛 2 −1 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑥.

23
5. For a function 𝑓(𝑥)defined by 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 , −𝜋 < 𝑥 < 𝜋, obtain a Fourier series.
𝜋2 1 1 1
Deduce that = 12 + 32 + 52 …
8

6. Find the Fourier series to represent the function

(i) 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥 , −𝜋 < 𝑥 < 𝜋.
(ii) 𝑓 𝑥 = cos⁡𝜋𝑥 𝑙 in the interval (-1,1).
−𝑥 + 1 𝑓𝑜𝑟 − 𝜋 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 0
7. Given 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥 + 1 𝑓𝑜𝑟 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝜋.

Is the function even or odd? Find the Fourier series for 𝑓(𝑥) and deduce the value of

1 1 1
2
+ 2+ 2+⋯
1 3 5
8. Find the Fourier series of the periodic function

−𝑘, −𝜋 < 𝑥 < 0

𝑓 𝑥 = and𝑓 𝑥 + 2𝜋 = 𝑓 𝑥 . Sketch the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) and the two
𝑘, 0 < 𝑥 < 𝜋
partial sums. (See fig. 10.7).
𝑛 +1
∞ (−1) 𝜋
Deduce that 𝑛=1 2𝑛−1 = 4.

−𝑥, 𝑓𝑜𝑟 − 𝜋 < 𝑥 < 0

9. A function is defined as follows:𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥, 𝑓𝑜𝑟 0 < 𝑥 < 𝜋
𝜋 4 1 1 1
Show that 𝑓 𝑥 = 2 − 𝜋 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 + 32 𝑐𝑜𝑠3𝑥 + 52 𝑐𝑜𝑠5𝑥 …
12

∞ 1 𝜋2
and deduce that 𝑛 =1 (2𝑛−1)2 = .
8

24