CHAPTER 4:

FOURIER SERIES

4.1 Determine type of functions (odd, even,

or neither function).
4.2 Find Fourier series.
 Introduction:
Q: What is Fourier Series?
- Fourier Series is a function to represent periodic functions.
- Fourier series are used in the analysis of periodic functions in
engineering problem (eg: current, voltage circuit) and science
field.

**Periodic function:
A function that repeat its
pattern at some period.

Figure: A Periodic functions

4.1: Determine type of functions (odd, even, or neither function
• In Fourier series, we can classify into 3 types of function ie Even, Odd or
Neither function.
• There are two ways to identify the type:
➢ Formula f (− x)
Additional formula:
*If f (− x) = f ( x), then EVEN function.
sin(− x) = − sin( x)
*If f (− x) = − f ( x), then ODD function. cos(− x) = cos( x)
*If f (− x)  f ( x)  − f ( x), then NEITHER function. sin 2 ( x ) = sin( x) sin( x)
➢ Graph
* If symmetric at y-axis, then EVEN function.
* If symmetric at origin, then ODD function.
* If not symmetric at y-axis nor origin, then NEITHER
function.
Example 4.1:
Determine whether the following functions are even, odd or
neither function and state the reason.

a) f ( x) = x 2 − x 4
b) f ( x) = x − x 3
c) f ( x) = x 3 − 7
d) f ( x) = 3 x 2 + x
e) f ( x) = x sin x
f) f ( x) = x cos x
Example 4.2:
From the following graph, determine whether the functions are
even, odd or neither function and state the reason.
Example 4.2 (cont.):
Determine whether the following functions are even, odd or
neither function and state the reason.
x + 5 ; −5 x  0
d) f ( x) = 
 − x+5 ; 0 x5
− 2 x + 3 ; −2 x0
e) f ( x) = 
 − 2x − 3 ; 0 x2

Answer :
d) even
e) odd
Exercise 4.1:
Determine whether the following functions are even, odd or neither
function and state the reason.
a) f ( x) = x 3 − x 4 b) f ( x) = − x + x 3
c) f ( x) = x 4 − 7 d) f ( x) = 3 x 2 − x
e) f ( x) = x 2 sin x f) f ( x ) = x 2 cos x
g) h)

i)
4.2: Find Fourier Series.
• Some related formula

sin( n ) = 0
sin( −n ) = 0

cos(n ) = (− 1)
n

cos(−n ) = (− 1)
n

 n   n 
sin  −  = − sin  
 2   2 
 n   n 
cos −  = cos  
 2   2 
Example 4.3:
The function of f(x) is given by
3 ; −   x  0
 3x
f ( x) =  ; 0 x

 f ( x + 2 )

a) Sketch the graph of f(x) from range −   x   .

b) Determine the type of function f(x) and state your reason.
c) Find the Fourier coefficients corresponding to the function.
d) Write the corresponding Fourier series of f(x).
Answer Example 4.3 :

9
c) a 0 =
2
an =
3
n 2 2
(− 1) − 1
n

3
bn = −
n
9
 3
  


+   2 2 (− 1) − 1  cos nx −
2 3
d ) f ( x) =
n
sin nx 
2 n =1  n   n 
Example 4.4:
The function of f(x) is given by

−  ; − 2  x  −
 0 ; −  x  

f ( x) = 
 ;   x  2
 f ( x + 4 )

a) Sketch the graph of f(x) from range − 6  x  6.

b) Determine the type of function f(x) and state your reason.
c) Find the corresponding Fourier series of f(x).
Answer Example 4.4 :

c) a 0 = 0
an = 0
2  n 
bn = − (− ) n
+  
n 
1 cos
 2 


2  n   nx 
f ( x) =  − (− 1) + cos  sin  
n

n =1 n   2   2 
Exercise 4.2:
The function of f(x) is given by
1
2  + x ; −   x  0
f ( x) = 
1
  −x ; 0 x
2

a) Sketch the graph of f(x) from range − 2  x  2 .

b) Determine the type of function f(x) and state your reason.
c) Find the Fourier coefficients corresponding to the function.
d) Write the corresponding Fourier series of f(x).

Answer Exercise 4.2 :

b) Even function. Because it is .............

c) bn = 0 , a0 = 0 , an =
2
n
2
− (− 1) + 1
n

 

 2 
d ) f ( x) =   2 − (− 1) + 1  cos nx
n

n =1  n  