Looking for a specific periodic function

In summary, the search for a specific periodic function involves identifying a function that repeats its values at regular intervals. This process typically includes analyzing the function's properties, such as amplitude, frequency, and phase shift, to find or create a function that meets particular criteria or applications in various fields, including mathematics, engineering, and physics.
  • #1
al4n
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0
TL;DR Summary
Trying to come up with a function that outputs 1 when input is some multiple of a given number and outputs 0 if otherwise.
Is there a function that outputs a 1 when the input is a multiple of a number of your choice and 0 if otherwise. The input is also restricted to natural numbers.
The only thing I can come up with is something of the form:
f(x) = [sin(ax)+1]/2
but this does not output a 0 when I want it.
 
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  • #2
How about
[tex] [\ [\frac{x}{m}]-\frac{x}{m}\ ]+1[/tex]
where [ ] is floor function ?
 
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  • #3
anuttarasammyak said:
How about
[tex] [\ [\frac{x}{m}]-\frac{x}{m}\ ]+1[/tex]
where [ ] is floor function ?
Is it mathematically sound? I generally avoid such functions because im not quite comfortable with them
 
  • #4
You may find Fourier series expression of the floor function e.g., in
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floor_and_ceiling_functions if it is your favour.

[EDIT] Explicitly our function f_m(x) is
[tex]f_m(x)=g_m(x)+\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{\pi}\sum_{j=1}^\infty\frac{\sin 2\pi j g_m(x)}{j}[/tex]
where
[tex]g_m(x)=-\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{\pi}\sum_{k=1}^\infty\frac{\sin 2\pi k \frac{x}{m}}{k}[/tex]
 
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  • #5
In a computer program, the MOD function, MOD(n,d), will divide one natural number, n, by another natural number, d, and return the remainder. So if n is a multiple of d, it will return a 0. So the formula (MOD(n, d) == 0) should be true (one) when n is a multiple of d and false (zero) otherwise.

If you have a particular computer language in mind, we can be more specific.
 

FAQ: Looking for a specific periodic function

What is a periodic function?

A periodic function is a function that repeats its values at regular intervals or periods. Mathematically, a function f(x) is called periodic if there exists a positive constant P such that f(x + P) = f(x) for all x in its domain. The smallest such period P is called the fundamental period of the function.

How can I identify the period of a periodic function?

To identify the period of a periodic function, you can look for the smallest value of P such that the function's values repeat. This can often be done by analyzing the function's graph, where the distance between repeating patterns indicates the period. For trigonometric functions like sine and cosine, the periods are commonly known: sin(x) and cos(x) both have a period of 2π.

What are some examples of periodic functions?

Examples of periodic functions include trigonometric functions such as sine (sin(x)), cosine (cos(x)), and tangent (tan(x)). Other examples include the sawtooth wave, square wave, and any function that can be expressed as a combination of these trigonometric functions. Additionally, functions defined on a finite interval and repeated can also be periodic.

How do I find the specific periodic function that fits a set of data points?

To find a specific periodic function that fits a set of data points, you can use techniques such as Fourier series analysis, which decomposes a function into a sum of sine and cosine functions. Alternatively, you can use regression analysis to fit a sinusoidal model to your data. Software tools and numerical methods can assist in determining the best-fitting parameters for the periodic function.

What tools or software can help in analyzing periodic functions?

There are several tools and software available for analyzing periodic functions, including MATLAB, Python (with libraries such as NumPy and SciPy), R, and Mathematica. These tools provide functions for performing Fourier analysis, curve fitting, and plotting, which can help in identifying and working with periodic functions effectively.

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