Module 1: Fourier Series

1.1 Preliminaries:

• A function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) is said to be even, if 𝑓(−𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥). The graph of the even function is
always symmetrical about the y-axis.

• A function y=f(x) is said to be odd, if f(-x) = - f(x). The graph of the odd function is always
symmetrical about the origin.

Example: The function 𝑓(𝑥) = |𝑥| in [−1,1] is even as 𝑓(−𝑥) = |−𝑥| = |𝑥| = 𝑓(𝑥) and the
function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 in [−1,1] is odd as 𝑓(−𝑥) = −𝑥 = −𝑓(𝑥).

Properties of even and odd functions:

If 𝑓(𝑥) is even and 𝑔(𝑥) is odd, then
• 𝑓(𝑥) ⋅ 𝑔(𝑥) is an odd function.
• 𝑓(𝑥) ⋅ 𝑓(𝑥) is an even function.
• 𝑔(𝑥) ⋅ 𝑔(𝑥) is an even function.

Examples:
• If 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔(𝑥) = cos 𝑥, then their product is an even function as both are even
functions.
• If 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔(𝑥) = sin 𝑥, then their product is an even function as both are odd
functions.
• If 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔(𝑥) = sin 𝑥, then their product is an odd function as 𝑓(𝑥) is even
and 𝑔(𝑥) is odd.

𝑎 𝑎
• If 𝑓(𝑥) is an even function then, ∫−𝑎 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = 2 ∫0 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥.

𝑎 𝑎
Example: ∫−𝑎 cos 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = 2 ∫0 cos 𝑥 𝑑𝑥, as cos 𝑥 is an even function.

𝑎
• If 𝑓(𝑥) is an odd function then, ∫−𝑎 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = 0.
𝑎
Example: ∫−𝑎 sin 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = 0, as sin 𝑥 is an odd function.

1.2 Periodic Functions: A real valued function is called a periodic function if it satisfies the
relation 𝑓(𝑥 + 𝑇) = 𝑓(𝑥) ∀ 𝑥, where 𝑇 is period of function 𝑓(𝑥).
Example: 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥, 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥, 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝑥 are all periodic functions with period 2𝜋. Also,
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 cot 𝑥 are period functions with period 𝜋.
Properties:
1. If 𝑇 is period of 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑛𝑇 is also a period of 𝑓(𝑥) for any integer 𝑛. So,
𝑓(𝑥 + 𝑛𝑇) = 𝑓(𝑥) (𝑛 ≠ 0)
2. The function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑓1 (𝑥) + 𝑏𝑓2 (𝑥) has period 𝑇 if 𝑓1 (𝑥) and 𝑓2 (𝑥) have period 𝑇.
Here, a and b are constants.
3. If 𝑓(𝑥) is a periodic function of period 𝑇, then 𝑓(𝑎𝑥) (𝑎 ≠ 0) is a periodic function of
period T/𝑎.
4. The period of a sum of a number of periodic functions is the least common multiple of
the periods.
5. A constant function is periodic for any positive 𝑇.

1.3 Fourier Series:

A Fourier series of a periodic function consists of a sum of sine and cosine terms. Sines and cosines
are the most fundamental periodic functions. The Fourier series is named after the French
Mathematician and Physicist Jacques Fourier (1768 – 1830). Fourier series has its application in
problems pertaining to Heat conduction, acoustics, etc.

FORMULA FOR FOURIER SERIES

Consider a real-valued function 𝑓(𝑥) which obeys the following conditions called Dirichlet’s
conditions:
1. 𝑓(𝑥) is defined in an interval (𝑎, 𝑎 + 2𝑙), and 𝑓(𝑥 + 2𝑙) = 𝑓(𝑥) so that 𝑓(𝑥) is a periodic
function of period 2𝑙.
2. 𝑓(𝑥) is continuous or has only a finite number of discontinuities in the interval
(𝑎, 𝑎 + 2𝑙).
3. 𝑓(𝑥) has no or only a finite number of maxima or minima in the interval (𝑎, 𝑎 + 2𝑙).

Then the infinite series of single-valued function can be given as

∞ ∞
𝑎0 𝑛𝜋𝑥 𝑛𝜋𝑥
𝑓(𝑥) = + ∑ 𝑎𝑛 cos ( ) + ∑ 𝑏𝑛 sin ( )
2 𝑙 𝑙
𝑛=1 𝑛=1
is called as the Fourier series of 𝑓(𝑥) in the interval (𝑎, 𝑎 + 2𝑙). Also, the real numbers
𝑎0 , 𝑎𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑛 are called the Fourier coefficients of 𝑓(𝑥) and are given by
1 𝑎+2𝑙
𝑎0 = ∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥
𝑙 𝑎
1 𝑎+2𝑙 𝑛𝜋𝑥
𝑎𝑛 = ∫ 𝑓(𝑥) cos ( ) 𝑑𝑥 𝑛≥0
𝑙 𝑎 𝑙
1 𝑎+2𝑙 𝑛𝜋𝑥
𝑏𝑛 = ∫ 𝑓(𝑥) sin ( ) 𝑑𝑥 𝑛≥0
𝑙 𝑎 𝑙
The above expressions for 𝑎0 , 𝑎𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑛 are called as Euler’s formulas.

Remark: Suppose 𝑓(𝑥) is discontinuous at 𝑥, then the sum of the series would be
1
[𝑓(𝑥 + ) + 𝑓(𝑥 − )]
2
Where 𝑓(𝑥 + ) and 𝑓(𝑥 − ) are the values 𝑓(𝑥) immediately to the right and left of 𝑓(𝑥) respectively.

Particular cases:

Case 1: If 𝑎 = 0, then 𝑓(𝑥) is defined over an interval (0, 2𝑙) then Euler’s formulas reduced
to
1 2𝑙
𝑎0 = ∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥
𝑙 0
1 2𝑙 𝑛𝜋𝑥
𝑎𝑛 = ∫ 𝑓(𝑥) cos ( ) 𝑑𝑥 𝑛 = 1,2,3 … .
𝑙 0 𝑙
1 2𝑙 𝑛𝜋𝑥
𝑏𝑛 = ∫ 𝑓(𝑥) sin ( ) 𝑑𝑥 𝑛 = 1,2,3 ….
𝑙 0 𝑙
If we set 𝑙 = 𝜋, then the function 𝑓(𝑥) is defined over the interval (0, 2𝜋), then the above
formulas reduced to
1 2𝜋
𝑎0 = ∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥
𝜋 0
1 2𝜋
𝑎𝑛 = ∫ 𝑓(𝑥) cos(𝑛𝑥) 𝑑𝑥 𝑛 = 1,2,3 …
𝜋 0
1 2𝜋
𝑏𝑛 = ∫ 𝑓(𝑥) sin(𝑛𝑥) 𝑑𝑥 𝑛 = 1,2,3 … ..
𝜋 0
Then the series becomes
∞
𝑎0
𝑓(𝑥) = + ∑ 𝑎𝑛 cos(𝑛𝑥) + 𝑏𝑛 sin 𝑛𝑥
2
𝑛=1

Case 2 : If 𝑎 = −𝑙, then 𝑓(𝑥) is defined over (−𝑙, 𝑙) then Euler’s formulas reduced to
 1 𝑙
𝑎0 = ∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥
𝑙 −𝑙
1 𝑙 𝑛𝜋𝑥
𝑎𝑛 = ∫ 𝑓(𝑥) cos ( ) 𝑑𝑥 𝑛 = 1,2,3, … .
𝑙 −𝑙 𝑙
1 𝑙 𝑛𝜋𝑥
𝑏𝑛 = ∫ 𝑓(𝑥) sin ( ) 𝑑𝑥 𝑛 = 1,2,3 … ..
𝑙 −𝑙 𝑙
If we set 𝑙 = 𝜋, then the function 𝑓(𝑥) is defined over the interval (−𝜋, 𝜋), then the above
formulas reduced to
1 𝜋
𝑎0 = ∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥
𝜋 −𝜋
1 𝜋
𝑎𝑛 = ∫ 𝑓(𝑥) cos(𝑛𝑥) 𝑑𝑥 𝑛 = 1,2,3 … .
𝜋 −𝜋
1 𝜋
𝑏𝑛 = ∫ 𝑓(𝑥) sin(𝑛𝑥) 𝑑𝑥 𝑛 = 1,2,3 ….
𝜋 −𝜋
Then the series becomes
∞
𝑎0
𝑓(𝑥) = + ∑ 𝑎𝑛 cos(𝑛𝑥) + 𝑏𝑛 sin(𝑛𝑥)
2
𝑛=1

Note: 1. If 𝑓(𝑥) is an even function in the interval (−𝑙, 𝑙) then

1 𝑙 2 𝑙
𝑎0 = ∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = ∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥
𝑙 −𝑙 𝑙 0
1 𝑙 𝑛𝜋𝑥 2 𝑙 𝑛𝜋𝑥
𝑎𝑛 = ∫ 𝑓(𝑥) cos ( ) 𝑑𝑥 = ∫ 𝑓(𝑥) cos ( ) 𝑑𝑥
𝑙 −𝑙 𝑙 𝑙 0 𝑙
𝑏𝑛 = 0
If 𝑓(𝑥) is an odd function in (−𝑙, 𝑙) then,
2 𝑙 𝑛𝜋𝑥
𝑎0 = 0, 𝑎𝑛 = 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑛 = ∫ 𝑓(𝑥) sin ( ) 𝑑𝑥
𝑙 0 𝑙
2. If 𝑓(𝑥)is an even function in (−𝜋, 𝜋) then,
1 𝜋 2 𝜋
𝑎0 = ∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = ∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥
𝜋 −𝜋 𝜋 0
1 𝜋 2 𝜋
𝑎𝑛 = ∫ 𝑓(𝑥) cos(𝑛𝑥) 𝑑𝑥 = ∫ 𝑓(𝑥) cos(𝑛𝑥) 𝑑𝑥
𝜋 −𝜋 𝜋 0
𝑏𝑛 = 0
If 𝑓(𝑥)is an odd function in (−𝜋, 𝜋) then,
2 𝜋
𝑎0 = 0, 𝑎𝑛 = 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑛 = ∫ 𝑓(𝑥) sin(𝑛𝑥) 𝑑𝑥
𝜋 0

1.4 Some useful results:

1. The following rule called Bernoulli’s generalized rule of integration by parts is useful in
evaluating the Fourier coefficients.
∫ 𝑢𝑣 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑢𝑣1 − 𝑢′𝑣2 + 𝑢”𝑣3 + ⋯
Here 𝑢′ , 𝑢”, … 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑢 and 𝑣1 = ∫ 𝑣𝑑𝑥, 𝑣2 = ∫ 𝑣1 𝑑𝑥 ….
2. The following integrals are also useful
𝑒 𝑎𝑥
∫ 𝑒 𝑎𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑏𝑥𝑑𝑥 = [acos 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑏𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑏𝑥] + 𝐶
𝑎2 + 𝑏 2
𝑎𝑥
𝑒 𝑎𝑥
∫ 𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑏𝑥𝑑𝑥 = 2 [asin 𝑏𝑥 − 𝑏𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑏𝑥] + 𝐶
𝑎 + 𝑏2
3. If 𝑛 is an integer then
sin 𝑛𝜋 = 0, cos 𝑛𝜋 = (−1)𝑛 , sin 2𝑛𝜋 = 0, cos 2𝑛𝜋 = 1,
Solved Problems
1. Find the Fourier series of the function 𝒇(𝒙) = (𝒍 − 𝒙)𝟐 𝒊𝒏 𝟎 ≤ 𝒙 ≤ 𝟐𝒍 and hence
deduce that
𝟏 𝝅𝟐
∑ 𝟐= .
𝒏 𝟔
𝒏

Solution:
The Fourier series is
𝒍𝟐 𝟒𝒍𝟐 𝟏 𝒏𝝅𝒙
𝒇(𝒙) = + 𝟐 ∑ 𝟐 𝐜𝐨𝐬
𝟑 𝝅 𝒏 𝒍
Put 𝑥 = 0 in 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑙 − 𝑥)2 , since 𝑥 = 0 is the end point we have, 𝑓(0) = 𝑙 2.
Substituting the above in the solution we get,
𝑙 2 4𝑙 2 1
𝑓(0) = + 2 ∑ 2 cos 0
3 𝜋 𝑛
𝑙 2 4𝑙 2 1
𝑙2 = + 2 ∑ 2
3 𝜋 𝑛
4𝑙 2 1 2
𝑙 2 2𝑙 2
∑ = 𝑙 − =
𝜋 2 𝑛2 3 3
𝟏 𝟐𝒍𝟐 𝝅𝟐 𝝅𝟐
∑ = × 𝟐=
𝒏𝟐 𝟑 𝟒𝒍 𝟔

2. Obtain the Fourier series for the function 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒙𝟐 , 𝟎 < 𝒙 < 𝟐𝝅.
Solution:
The Fourier series is
𝟒 𝟐 𝟒 𝟒𝝅
𝒙𝟐 = 𝝅 + ∑ 𝟐 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝒏𝒙 − ∑ 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝒏𝒙
𝟑 𝒏 𝒏
 𝟐, −𝟐<𝒙<𝟎
3. Find the Fourier series of the function 𝒇(𝒙) = { and hence deduce
𝒙, 𝟎<𝒙<𝟐
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝝅
𝟏− + − +⋯= .
𝟑 𝟓 𝟕 𝟒
Solution:
The Fourier series is
𝟑 𝟐 [(−𝟏)𝒏 − 𝟏] 𝒏𝝅𝒙 𝟐 𝟏 𝒏𝝅𝒙
𝒇(𝒙) = + 𝟐 ∑ 𝟐
𝐜𝐨𝐬 − ∑ 𝒔𝒊𝒏
𝟐 𝝅 𝒏 𝟐 𝝅 𝒏 𝟐
Now, put 𝑥 = 1 in the solution, we get,
3 2 [(−1)𝑛 − 1] 𝑛𝜋 2 1 𝑛𝜋
𝑓(1) = + 2∑ 2
cos − ∑ sin
2 𝜋 𝑛 2 𝜋 𝑛 2
But, 𝑓(1) = 1 (by statement)
3 2 1 𝑛𝜋
1= + 0 − ∑ sin
2 𝜋 𝑛 2

3 2 1 1 1
1− = − [1 − + − + − ⋯ ]
2 𝜋 3 5 7
𝜋 1 1 1
= 1 − + − + −⋯
4 3 5 7
1 1 1 𝜋
1− + − +⋯=
3 5 7 4

4. Obtain the Fourier expansion of 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒙𝟐 over the interval (−𝝅, 𝝅) and hence
𝝅𝟐 𝟏 𝟏
deduce that = 𝟏 + 𝟐𝟐 + 𝟑𝟐 + ⋯ + ∞.
𝟔

Solution:
The Fourier series is
𝝅𝟐 𝟒(−𝟏)𝒏
𝒇(𝒙) = +∑ 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝒏𝒙
𝟑 𝒏𝟐
Put 𝑥 = 𝜋 in 𝑓(𝑥), we get 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝜋 2 .
𝜋2 4(−1)𝑛
∴ 𝜋2 = +∑ cos 𝑛𝜋
3 𝑛2
𝜋2 (−1)𝑛
𝜋2 − = 4∑ (−1)𝑛
3 𝑛2
2𝜋 2 1
= 4∑ 2
3 𝑛
𝜋2 1 1
= 1+ 2 + 2 +⋯+∞
6 2 3
 Exercise Problems
1
1. Obtain the Fourier expansion of 𝑓(𝑥) = 2 (𝜋 − 𝑥) in −𝜋 < 𝑥 < 𝜋.
𝜋 (−1)𝑛
Ans:𝑓(𝑥) = 2 + ∑∞
𝑛=1 sin 𝑛𝑥
𝑛

𝑥, 0<𝑥<𝜋
2. Find the Fourier series for 𝑓(𝑥) = { and hence deduce that
2𝜋 − 𝑥 𝜋 < 𝑥 < 2𝜋
1 1 1 𝜋2
+ + + ⋯ =
12 32 52 8
𝜋 2
Ans: 𝑓(𝑥) = 2 + ∑ 𝑛2 𝜋 [(−1)𝑛 − 1] cos 𝑛𝑥 and put 𝑥 = 0 for the deduction.
𝑙 − 𝑥, 0≤𝑥≤𝑙
3. Obtain the Fourier series for the function 𝑓(𝑥) = { and hence
0, 𝑙 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2𝑙
1 1 1 𝜋 1 1 1 𝜋2
deduce that 1 − 3 + 5 − 7 + − ⋯ = and 12 + 32 + 52 + ⋯ = .
4 8
𝑙 𝑙 1−(−1)𝑛 𝑛𝜋𝑥 𝑙 1 𝑛𝜋𝑥 𝑙
Ans: 𝑓(𝑥) = 4 + 𝜋2 ∑ [ ] 𝑐𝑜𝑠 ( ) + 𝜋 ∑ 𝑛 sin ( ) and put 𝑥 = 𝑙 and 𝑥 = 2
𝑛2 𝑙 𝑙

for the deduction.

4. Find the Fourie series of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 − 2 when −2 < 𝑥 < 2.
2 16 (−1)𝑛 𝑛𝜋𝑥
Ans: 𝑓(𝑥) = − 3 + 𝜋2 ∑ cos ( )
𝑛2 2

5. Obtain the Fourier series to represent the function 𝑓(𝑥) = |𝑥|, −𝜋 < 𝑥 < 𝜋 and hence
1 1 1 𝜋2
deduce that 12 + 32 + 52 + ⋯ = .
8
𝜋 2
Ans: 𝑓(𝑥) = 2 + ∑ 𝑛2 𝜋 [(−1)𝑛 − 1] cos 𝑛𝑥 and put 𝑥 = 0 for the deduction.
 1.4 Half Range Series
The Fourier series of the function 𝑓(𝑥) of period 2𝑙 may contain both sine and cosine
series. Many times, it is required to obtain a Fourier expansion of a function 𝑓(𝑥) for the range
(0, 𝑙) which is regarded as half range interval. The definition can be extended to the other half
in such a manner that the function becomes even or odd. This will result in cosine series or sine
series only.

Sine Series
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 series of 𝑓(𝑥) will
contain only sine terms. Hence, we get,
𝑛𝜋𝑥
𝑓(𝑥) = ∑ 𝑏𝑛 sin
𝑙
2 𝑙 𝑛𝜋𝑥
here, 𝑏𝑛 = 𝑙 ∫0 𝑓(𝑥) sin 𝑑𝑥
𝑙

Cosine series
If we extend the function 𝑓(𝑥) by reflecting it in the origin so that 𝑓(−𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥), then
the extended function is even for which 𝑏𝑛 = 0. The Fourier series of 𝑓(𝑥) will contain only
cosine terms. Hence, we get,
𝑎0 𝑛𝜋𝑥
𝑓(𝑥) = + ∑ 𝑎𝑛 cos
2 𝑙
2 𝑙 2 𝑙 𝑛𝜋𝑥
here, 𝑎0 = 𝑙 ∫0 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑙 ∫0 𝑓(𝑥) cos 𝑑𝑥 .
𝑙

Results: If the range is 0 < 𝑥 < 𝜋, then

1. Half range sine series is

𝑓(𝑥) = ∑ 𝑏𝑛 sin 𝑛𝑥
2 𝜋
here, 𝑏𝑛 = 𝜋 ∫0 𝑓(𝑥) sin 𝑛𝑥 𝑑𝑥

2. The half range cosine series is

𝑎0
𝑓(𝑥) = + ∑ 𝑎𝑛 cos 𝑛𝑥
2
2 𝜋 2 𝜋
here, 𝑎0 = 𝜋 ∫0 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑛 = 𝜋 ∫0 𝑓(𝑥) cos 𝑛𝑥 𝑑𝑥.

Solved Problems
1. Find the half range (a) cosine series and (b) sine series for 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒙𝟐 in (𝟎, 𝝅).
Solution:
(a) The Fourier half range cosine series is
𝝅𝟐 (−𝟏)𝒏
𝒇(𝒙) = + 𝟒∑ 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝒏𝒙
𝟑 𝒏𝟐
(b) The Fourier half range sine series is
 𝟐 𝝅𝟐 𝟐
𝒇(𝒙) = ∑ [− (−𝟏)𝒏 + 𝟑 [(−𝟏)𝒏 − 𝟏]] 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝒏𝒙
𝝅 𝒏 𝒏

2. Find the half range (a) cosine series and (b) sine series of
𝒙 𝟎<𝒙<𝟏
𝒇(𝒙) = { .
𝟐−𝒙 𝟏<𝒙<𝟐
Solution:
(a) The Fourier half range cosine series is
𝟏 𝟖 𝒏𝝅 𝟒 𝒏𝝅𝒙
𝒇(𝒙) = + ∑ [ 𝟐 𝟐 𝐜𝐨𝐬 − 𝟐 𝟐 [𝟏 + (−𝟏)𝒏 ]] 𝐜𝐨𝐬
𝟐 𝒏 𝝅 𝟐 𝒏 𝝅 𝟐
(b) The half range Fourier sine series is
𝟖 𝟏 𝒏𝝅 𝒏𝝅𝒙
𝒇(𝒙) = 𝟐
∑ 𝟐 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐢𝐧 .
𝝅 𝒏 𝟐 𝟐

Exercise Problems
1. Find the half range sine and cosine series for 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 in the interval 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝜋.
𝝅 𝟐 [(−𝟏)𝒏 −𝟏]
Ans: cosine series: 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝟐 + 𝝅 ∑ 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝒏𝒙
𝒏𝟐
𝟐
Sine series: 𝒇(𝒙) = ∑ 𝒏 (−𝟏)𝒏+𝟏 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝒏𝒙.

2. Find the Fourier sine series for the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑒 𝑎𝑥 for 0 < 𝑥 < 𝜋, where 𝑎 is
constant.
𝟐𝒏
Ans: 𝒇(𝒙) = ∑ 𝝅(𝒂𝟐 +𝒏𝟐 ) [𝟏 − (−𝟏)𝒏 𝒆𝒂𝝅 ] 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝒏𝒙.
 1.5 Computation of Harmonics
The function is not often given by analytic expression in practical but a graph or a table of
corresponding values. In such a case, the Fourier coefficients cannot be evaluated. However,
by using the rules of approximate integration we can find the approximate values of Fourier
coefficients.
The Fourier series for 𝑓(𝑥) in (0, 2𝜋) is
∞
𝑎0
𝑓(𝑥) = + ∑(𝑎𝑛 cos 𝑛𝑥 + 𝑏𝑛 sin 𝑛𝑥)
2
𝑛=1

where,
1 2𝜋 1 2𝜋 1 2𝜋
𝑎0 = ∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 , 𝑎𝑛 = ∫ 𝑓(𝑥) cos 𝑛𝑥 𝑑𝑥, 𝑏𝑛 = ∫ 𝑓(𝑥) sin 𝑛𝑥 𝑑𝑥.
𝜋 0 𝜋 0 𝜋 0
Since the mean value of 𝑓(𝑥) over the range (𝑎, 𝑏) is
𝑏
1
∫ 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑑𝑥
𝑏−𝑎 𝑎
We have,
1 2𝜋 2
𝑎0 = 2 [ ∫ 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑑𝑥] = 2[𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑖𝑛 (0, 2𝜋)] = ∑ 𝑓(𝑥)
2𝜋 0 𝑁
1 2𝜋
𝑎𝑛 = 2 [ ∫ 𝑓(𝑥) cos 𝑛𝑥 𝑑𝑥] = 2[𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑓 (𝑓(𝑥) cos 𝑛𝑥) 𝑖𝑛 (0, 2𝜋)]
2𝜋 0
2
= ∑ 𝑓(𝑥) cos 𝑛𝑥
𝑁
1 2𝜋
𝑏𝑛 = 2 [ ∫ 𝑓(𝑥) sin 𝑛𝑥 𝑑𝑥] = 2[𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑓 (𝑓(𝑥) sin 𝑛𝑥) 𝑖𝑛 (0, 2𝜋)]
2𝜋 0
2
= ∑ 𝑓(𝑥) sin 𝑛𝑥
𝑁
The process of finding the Fourier series for a function given by numerical values is known as
harmonic analysis. The term (𝑎1 cos 𝑥 + 𝑏1 sin 𝑥) is called the fundamental or first harmonic,
the term (𝑎2 cos 2𝑥 + 𝑏2 sin 2𝑥) is called the second harmonic and so on. The amplitude of
first harmonic is √𝑎12 + 𝑏12 and 𝑁 is the total intervals in the defined range.

Solved Problems
1. Obtain the Fourier series of 𝒇(𝒙) defined in the interval (𝟎, 𝟐𝝅) by means of the table
of values given below. Find the series up to the second harmonics.
𝝅 𝟐𝝅 𝟒𝝅 𝟓𝝅
𝒙 𝟎 𝝅 𝟐𝝅
𝟑 𝟑 𝟑 𝟑
𝒇(𝒙) 𝟏. 𝟎 𝟏. 𝟒 𝟏. 𝟗 𝟏. 𝟕 𝟏. 𝟓 𝟏. 𝟐 𝟏. 𝟎
Solution: The Fourier series is given by
𝒇(𝒙) = 𝟏. 𝟒𝟓 − 𝟎. 𝟑𝟕 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝒙 + 𝟎. 𝟏𝟕 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝒙 − 𝟎. 𝟏 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟐𝒙 − 𝟎. 𝟎𝟔 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝒙

2. Express 𝒇(𝒙) as a Fourier series up to the second harmonics where 𝒇(𝒙) is given in the
following table.
𝒙 𝟎 𝟏 𝟐 𝟑 𝟒 𝟓
𝒇(𝒙) 𝟒 𝟖 𝟏𝟓 𝟕 𝟔 𝟐

Solution:
𝒇(𝒙) = 𝟕 − 𝟐. 𝟖𝟑𝟑 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽 + 𝟒. 𝟑𝟑 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽 − 𝟏. 𝟓 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟐𝜽 − 𝟎. 𝟖𝟔𝟔 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝜽

Exercise Problems
1. Expand the function 𝑓(𝑥) in terms of Fourier series by means of the table of values given
below. Find the series up to the second harmonics.
𝑥 𝝅 𝟐𝝅 𝟒𝝅 𝟓𝝅 𝟐𝝅
𝟎 𝝅
𝟑 𝟑 𝟑 𝟑
𝑓(𝑥) 1.98 1.3 1.05 1.3 −0.88 −0.25 1.98

Ans: 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝟎. 𝟕𝟓 + 𝟎. 𝟑𝟕𝟑𝟑 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝒙 + 𝟏. 𝟎𝟎𝟒𝟓 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝒙 + 𝟎. 𝟖𝟗 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝟐𝒙 − 𝟎. 𝟏𝟎𝟗𝟕 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝟐𝒙

2. Obtain the constant term and the coefficients of the cosine and sine terms in Fourier
expansion of 𝑓(𝑥) as given in the following table
𝑥 0 1 2 3 4 5
𝑓(𝑥) 9 18 24 28 26 20

Ans: 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝟐𝟎. 𝟖𝟑𝟑 − 𝟖. 𝟑𝟑𝟑 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽 − 𝟏. 𝟏𝟓𝟒 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝜽 − 𝟐. 𝟑𝟑𝟑 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝟐𝜽