Fourier series of this scale and shift of triangle wave

  • #1
zenterix
702
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Homework Statement
Consider the periodic function of period ##2\pi##
Relevant Equations
$$g(t)=\begin{cases} t\ \ \ \ \ -\frac{\pi}{2}<t<\frac{\pi}{2} \\ \pi-t\ \ \ \ \ \frac{\pi}{2}<t<\frac{3\pi}{2} \end{cases}\tag{1}$$
This function seems to be ##tr\left (t+\frac{\pi}{2}\right )-\frac{\pi}{2}## where ##tr(t)## is the triangle wave function.

$$tr(t)=|t|\ \ \ \ \ -\frac{\pi}{2}<t<\frac{\pi}{2}\tag{2}$$

1710150127225.png


##tr## has Fourier series

$$tr(t)=\frac{\pi}{2}-\frac{4}{\pi}\sum\limits_{n=1}^\infty \frac{\cos{(nt)}}{n^2}\tag{2a}$$

Thus

$$g(t)=tr\left (t+\frac{\pi}{2}\right )-\frac{\pi}{2}\tag{3}$$

$$-\frac{4}{\pi}\sum\limits_{n=1}^\infty \frac{\cos{\left (n\left (t+\frac{\pi}{2}\right ) \right )}}{n^2}\tag{4}$$

Now

$$\cos{\left ( nt +n\frac{\pi}{2} \right )}=\cos{(nt)}\cos{\left (\frac{n\pi}{2}\right )}-\sin{(nt)}\sin{\left (\frac{n\pi}{2}\right )}\tag{5}$$

$$\sum\limits_{n=1}^\infty \cos{\left ( nt +n\frac{\pi}{2} \right )} = (-\sin{t})+(-\cos{2t})+(\sin{3t})+(\cos{4t})+(-\sin{5t})+(-\cos{6t})+\ldots\tag{6}$$

$$=\sum\limits_{k=0}^\infty (-1)^{k+1}\sin{(2k+1)t}+\sum\limits_{k=1}^\infty (-1)^k \cos{(2kt)}\tag{7}$$

If we sub this expression into (4) then

$$g(t)=-\frac{4}{\pi}\left ( \sum\limits_{k=0}^\infty (-1)^{k+1}\frac{\sin{(2k+1)t}}{(2k+1)^2}+\sum\limits_{k=1}^\infty (-1)^k \frac{\cos{(2kt)}}{(2k)^2} \right )\tag{8}$$

If the calculations are correct so far, my question is why this Fourier series has both cosine and sine terms when ##g## is odd.
 
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  • #2
I think I need to take a break from studying today.

The answer to my question is a silly mistake.

Equation (2a) is incorrect. The summation is only over odd ##n##

$$tr(t)=\frac{\pi}{2}-\frac{4}{\pi}\sum\limits_{n\ \text{odd}} \frac{\cos{(nt)}}{n^2}\tag{2a}$$

Thus, equation (4) is also only over odd ##n##

$$-\frac{4}{\pi}\sum\limits_{n\ \text{odd}}^\infty \frac{\cos{\left (n\left (t+\frac{\pi}{2}\right ) \right )}}{n^2}\tag{4}$$

and in (5), since ##n## is odd then the first term on the rhs is zero

$$\cos{\left ( nt +n\frac{\pi}{2} \right )}=-\sin{(nt)}\sin{\left (\frac{n\pi}{2}\right )}\tag{5}$$

$$=\sum\limits_{k=0}^\infty (-1)^{k+1} \sin{((2k+1)t)}\tag{7}$$

Hence

$$g(t)=-\frac{4}{\pi}\left ( \sum\limits_{k=0}^\infty (-1)^{k+1}\frac{\sin{(2k+1)t}}{(2k+1)^2} \right )\tag{8}$$
 
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FAQ: Fourier series of this scale and shift of triangle wave

What is a Fourier series and how is it used to represent a triangle wave?

A Fourier series is a way to represent a periodic function as a sum of sine and cosine functions. For a triangle wave, which is a non-sinusoidal waveform, the Fourier series allows us to decompose it into a sum of sinusoidal components, each with a specific frequency, amplitude, and phase. This is particularly useful for analyzing and understanding the wave's frequency components.

How do you scale and shift a triangle wave in the context of its Fourier series?

To scale a triangle wave, you multiply the wave function by a scaling factor. This affects the amplitude of the wave and, consequently, the amplitudes of its Fourier coefficients. To shift a triangle wave, you add a constant to the wave function, which translates the wave along the time axis. This phase shift affects the phase of the Fourier coefficients but not their amplitudes.

What are the key properties of the Fourier series coefficients for a triangle wave?

The Fourier series coefficients for a triangle wave decay as the square of the inverse of the harmonic number. Specifically, the coefficients for a triangle wave are proportional to 1/n² for odd harmonics and zero for even harmonics. This results in a smoother approximation compared to other waveforms like square waves, where the coefficients decay more slowly.

How does the period of the triangle wave affect its Fourier series representation?

The period of the triangle wave determines the fundamental frequency of the Fourier series. A longer period means a lower fundamental frequency, and the harmonics will be spaced more closely together. Conversely, a shorter period results in a higher fundamental frequency with more widely spaced harmonics. The period directly influences the frequencies of the sine and cosine terms in the Fourier series.

Can you provide an example of the Fourier series for a scaled and shifted triangle wave?

Consider a triangle wave with period T, amplitude A, and shifted by a constant C. Its Fourier series can be written as:\[ f(t) = \sum_{n=1,3,5,\ldots}^\infty \frac{8A}{(n\pi)^2} \sin\left(\frac{2\pi n t}{T}\right) + C \]Here, only the odd harmonics are present, and the amplitude of each harmonic is scaled by \(\frac{8A}{(n\pi)^2}\). The constant C represents the vertical shift of the wave.

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