Help with computing/understanding Fourier Sine Expansion.

In summary, the Fourier sine expansion of \phi(x)=1 is given by \phi(x)=\frac{4}{\pi}\left(sin(\pi x)+\frac{1}{3}sin(3\pi x)+\frac{1}{5}sin(5\pi x) +\cdots\right), with coefficients a_m = \frac{4}{m\pi} for odd values of m and a_m = 0 for even values of m. This is obtained by using the orthogonality property and integrating by parts.
  • #1
LoganS
5
0
1. Find the Fourier sine expansion of [itex]\phi(x)=1[/itex]. This was posted in Calculus and Beyond thread, but I realized that this thread may be more appropriate.

2. The attempt at a solution.
I start with [itex]\phi(x)=A_1sin(\pi x)+A_2sin(2\pi x)+\cdots+A_nsin(n\pi x),[/itex] and then add multiply by [itex]A_msin(m\pi x)[/itex] term on each side and integrate from 0 to 1.
So I have [itex]\int\phi(x)A_msin(m\pi x)=\int\left(A_1sin(\pi x)A_msin(m\pi x)+A_2sin(2\pi x)A_msin(m\pi x)+\cdots+A_nsin(n\pi x)A_msin(m\pi x)\right).[/itex]
I know that due to orthogonality you can discard the terms where m is not equal to n (but I don't really understand why so if you can explain this I would appreciate it).
Discarding those terms and using a trig relation I get, [itex]\int\phi(x)A_msin(m\pi x)=1/2\int\left(cos((m-n)\pi x)-cos((m+n)\pi x)\right).[/itex]
I then solve the integral and try to get ##A_m=\frac{4}{\pi}\left(\frac{1}{m}\right),## but I don't know why the answer has only the odd terms.
The book answer is [itex]1=\frac{4}{\pi}\left(sin(\pi x)+\frac{1}{3}sin(3\pi x)+\frac{1}{5}sin(5\pi x) +\cdots\right).[/itex]

Any and all help is greatly appreciated.
 
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  • #2
LoganS said:
1. Find the Fourier sine expansion of [itex]\phi(x)=1[/itex]. This was posted in Calculus and Beyond thread, but I realized that this thread may be more appropriate.

2. The attempt at a solution.
I start with [itex]\phi(x)=A_1sin(\pi x)+A_2sin(2\pi x)+\cdots+A_nsin(n\pi x),[/itex] and then add multiply by [itex]A_msin(m\pi x)[/itex] term on each side and integrate from 0 to 1.

So I have [itex]\int\phi(x)A_msin(m\pi x)=\int\left(A_1sin(\pi x)A_msin(m\pi x)+A_2sin(2\pi x)A_msin(m\pi x)+\cdots+A_nsin(n\pi x)A_msin(m\pi x)\right).[/itex]

The starting point is
[tex]\phi(x) = \displaystyle \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} a_n \sin(n\pi x)[/tex]

To work out [itex]a_n[/itex], multiply by [itex]\sin (m\pi x)[/itex] and integrate between 0 and 1:
[tex]
\int_0^1 \phi(x) \sin(m\pi x)\,\mathrm{d}x
= \sum_{n=1}^\infty a_n \int_0^1 \sin(n \pi x) \sin(m\pi x)\,\mathrm{d}x
[/tex]

I know that due to orthogonality you can discard the terms where m is not equal to n (but I don't really understand why so if you can explain this I would appreciate it).

We need to calculate [itex]I = \int_0^1 \sin(n\pi x)\sin(m \pi x)\,\mathrm{d}x[/itex]. This we do by parts:
[tex]
I = \int_0^1 \sin(n\pi x)\sin(m \pi x)\,\mathrm{d}x \\
= \left[ -\frac{1}{m\pi} \sin(n\pi x)\cos(m\pi x)\right]_0^1
+ \frac{n}{m}\int_0^1 \cos(n\pi x)\cos(m\pi x)\,\mathrm{d}x \\
= \frac{n}{m}\int_0^1 \cos(n\pi x)\cos(m\pi x)\,\mathrm{d}x
[/tex]
where the last follows because [itex]\sin(0) = \sin(m\pi) = 0[/itex]. Now we can integrate by parts again:
[tex]
I = \frac{n}{m}\int_0^1 \cos(n\pi x)\cos(m\pi x)\,\mathrm{d}x \\
= \frac{n}{m}\left[ \frac{1}{m\pi} \cos(n\pi x)\sin(m \pi x)\right]_0^1
+ \frac{n^2}{m^2} \int_0^1 \sin(n\pi x)\sin(m\pi x)\,\mathrm{d}x \\
= \frac{n^2}{m^2} I[/tex]

So [itex](1 - n^2/m^2)I = 0[/itex]. It follows then that if [itex]n \neq m[/itex] then [itex]I = 0[/itex]. If [itex]n = m[/itex] then the integrand is [itex]\sin^2(m\pi x)[/itex] which is non-negative and not identically zero, so its integral must be strictly positive. So we have, using the identity [itex]\sin^2 \theta = \frac12 (1 - \cos 2\theta)[/itex]:
[tex]
\int_0^1 \phi(x) \sin(m\pi x)\,\mathrm{d}x
= a_m \int_0^1 \sin(m \pi x) \sin(m\pi x)\,\mathrm{d}x \\
= a_m \int_0^1 \sin^2(m \pi x)\,\mathrm{d}x \\
= \frac12 a_m \int_0^1 1 - \cos(2m \pi x)\,\mathrm{d}x\\
= \frac12 a_m
[/tex]
so that
[tex]
a_m = 2 \int_0^1 \phi(x) \sin(m\pi x)\,\mathrm{d}x.
[/tex]

Discarding those terms and using a trig relation I get, [itex]\int\phi(x)A_msin(m\pi x)=1/2\int\left(cos((m-n)\pi x)-cos((m+n)\pi x)\right).[/itex]
I then solve the integral and try to get ##A_m=\frac{4}{\pi}\left(\frac{1}{m}\right),## but I don't know why the answer has only the odd terms.

[tex]a_m = 2\int_0^1 \sin(m\pi x)\,\mathrm{d}x = -\frac{2}{m\pi} \left[\cos(m\pi x)\right]_0^1 \\
= - \frac{2}{m\pi}( \cos(m\pi) - 1) \\
= - \frac{2}{m\pi}( (-1)^m - 1) \\
= \frac{2}{m\pi}(1 - (-1)^m)[/tex]
If [itex]m[/itex] is even, [itex](-1)^m = 1[/itex] so [itex]a_m = 0[/itex]. If [itex]m[/itex] is odd, [itex](-1)^m = -1[/itex] and [itex]a_m = 4/(m\pi)[/itex], which is the given answer.

The book answer is [itex]1=\frac{4}{\pi}\left(sin(\pi x)+\frac{1}{3}sin(3\pi x)+\frac{1}{5}sin(5\pi x) +\cdots\right).[/itex]

Any and all help is greatly appreciated.
 

FAQ: Help with computing/understanding Fourier Sine Expansion.

What is a Fourier Sine Expansion?

A Fourier Sine Expansion is a mathematical technique used to represent a periodic function as a sum of sine functions with different frequencies and amplitudes. It is a special case of the more general Fourier Series, which can represent both periodic and non-periodic functions.

How is a Fourier Sine Expansion calculated?

To calculate a Fourier Sine Expansion, you first need to determine the period of the function you want to represent. Then, you can use the formula for the coefficients of the sine functions, which involves integrating the function over one period. Once you have the coefficients, you can write out the sum of sine functions to represent the original function.

What is the purpose of using a Fourier Sine Expansion?

A Fourier Sine Expansion is used to simplify complex periodic functions and make them easier to work with. It can also be used to solve differential equations involving periodic functions, as well as for signal processing and data compression.

What are the limitations of using a Fourier Sine Expansion?

One limitation of using a Fourier Sine Expansion is that it can only represent functions that are periodic. It also assumes that the function being represented is continuous, which may not always be the case. Additionally, the accuracy of the representation depends on the number of terms used in the expansion.

How is a Fourier Sine Expansion used in real-world applications?

A Fourier Sine Expansion has many practical applications, including in audio and signal processing, image and video compression, and solving partial differential equations in physics and engineering. It is also commonly used in the analysis of periodic data in fields such as astronomy and climate science.

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