CHAPTER 15

FOURIER SERIES

Fourier's Series and Constants. ,J

15'1.
Let f(x) be an arbitrary function defined in the interval (-, ii<> I
..). If bounded, let it be int:gnble in this intervaL . If unbo,'.'nded) ~

let the improper integral f f,t) dt le absolutely convergent.

-1T
It ~ctl

15
f f(t) cos nt dt and f f(t) sin nt dt exist
1r '"

can be proved that then

_,r

· for all values of n.

- The trigonometrica l series
Ja 0+(a1 cos x+b1 sin x)+(a 2 cos 2x+b 2 sin 2x)+· .. ,
00
~a
or, ½a 0 +~(an cos nx + bu sin nx) ... (1) ~-
•cer
1

B
· is called the Fourier's series for f(x) when the constants ao, au
b1 ···are· given by
.,, 1T

a,.= if f(t) cos nt dt, b,..=1 f flt) sin nt dt

- 'TT

1
when n = 0, 1, 2, :. ·The constants au, a 1 , b 1 , •••are called Fourier's
eonstanh or Fourier's coefficients for the f~ncti~ f(x). ~
. t
0111
The Fourier's series for f(x) converges to f (x) at every P
. . . . 1 [ f (,:-rO)
m ( - "• ,r) where f(x) 1s continuous ; it converges to 2
+f(x - 0)] at every point of ordinary discontinuity _in the inte~
and . to }[t(-~+o)+f (:ir - O)] at x= ±,r, provided these Ii

exist.
 FOURIER SERIES 231
fhus if S(x) be the su~-f~nction of the series,
S(x) =f (x) at a point m ( - :it, n) where f(x) is c-ontmuous ;
. 1 .
S(x)= 2[f(x+O)+f(x-O)] at a point of ordinary disconti•
. if the limits exist ;
I

,u1tY
S(x)
1
= 2 [f( - x+O)+f(:it-O)J at x= ±3t, provided . L.
I

K-,+0) and f(x - O) exist ; and as the series is periodic with a t

t
I
period 2,r;,
S(x+2mx)=Stx ).
The last relation enables us ·to determine the value· of the sum·
function at a point outside the interval ( - x, x).

15'2, A rough verification ofthe above results. [Euler)

We asfume that it is possible to expand _the arl,-,itrary function
{r) in a trigonomet rical series of the form
00

f(x) = ~a 0 + ~(an cos nx+b,. sin n x) ;

1
'
•e assume furthe r that the series may be integrated term by term
after multiplying both sides by cos nx or sin nx, (n = 0, 1, 2, 3, · ·)
Bearing in mind that if m and n be positive integers,
,r .

-1T
f sin mx cos nx dx= O,
f . m x sin nx
,r

Ind f1r d f,r, (m = n)

sin dx= cos mx cos nx x= 0, (m;a!n)
-,r

- 1T

f f(t) cos nt dt = x a,. or an= 1f f(t) cos nt dt

T . ff

Qo~i f f(t) dt; and similarly b,.=! f f (t) sin nt dt.

232 , ELEMENTS OF MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS
00 .

" 1
~ { cos ff (t) coa
ff

Thu~ f(") = J,,f f(t) dt +i nx ltl di

-tr l . -tr

. "
•+sin nx f
_,,,
f(t)sin ntdt }(-,r~ x ~ a).
Observation. In order thgt f (x) may be eq.ual to the corres-
ponding ~eries, we have to assume t hat
(i) the trigonometric series should be convergent ; ·
.
( ii) it should admit of term by- term integration ' a suffi c~~
condition for which is that the convergence should be uniforlll.
'
the series being trigon ometric is periodic in x with the
1iii) Si

period 2%; hence unless f (x) is itself periodic, the equality of f(x)
with the series will be confined only to the interval ( - ~, ,r),
-. 15 ·3, Special Cases : Cosine and Sine Series.
1
u
fi
(a) Cosine Series-If the . arbitrar y function f(x) given in
( - :ii, n) is an even function ; i.e., if f(x) = f( - x) when O < x < s, .
the Fourier's series for f(x) becomes ~he .Cosine Series:

-lr ( 2~
,
-
:ii
0
'1T

ft) dt+ -
3[
00

1
cos n~ f)
.o
f(t (
cos nt dt, 0 ~- x ,,. ) ~

For in this case

. 'TT

ao = !f f(t) dt leads to a 0 =~ f f \t) dt,

-r 0

f f(t) cos nt dt,

'II 'IT

an =t f f(t) cos ~t dt leads to au = g

n
0

'II

and bn =; f - w
f (t) sin flt dt leads to bn = 0.
~

· (- - '' ,) di;
(b) - ~ ries-
Sin e S · If the arbitrary function f (x ) 10 ~ ,,
an ~~ function, i. e., f(x) = _ f ( _ x) - when O ~ ~ ·
Fourier s series for f(x) become$ the Sine Series :
 FOURlER SERIES 233
!IJ'
.

'5\ia nx f f(t) sin nt dt, (0 ~

~

~
-
'2
~~
.l
. x ").

In this case
ff ~

b,. = !~ ff (t ) sin nt ~ ff(t) sin nt dt,

dt leads to bn = ,r
0
• -1T
tI •

and aR = 0 for n = 0, l , 2,- ••

-
t,a>4. Dirich let's conditio ns.
· A functio n f (x ) defined in the interva l (a, b) will be said to
satisfy Dirichl et's conditi ons in the interva l when it satisfies one t

• Jf the following conditi ons : .l

, (i) f (x ) is bou nded in (a, b) and the interva l can be broken
f",
l 'l
:rp into a finite numbe r of open partial interva ls in each of which ~
f(,x) is monoto nic.
< I (ii) f(x ) bas fi nite number of infinite discont inuities in the
a
interval, but when arbitra rily small neighbo urhood s of these points
are exclude d , f(x ) is bounde d in the rest of the interva l, and this

J
can be broken up into a fi nite numbe r of open partial inter'\a ls in
tach of which f (x) is monoto nic. Furthe r, the improp er integra l
b

f• f(x) dx is to be absolutely convergent.

It can be proved that when the functio n f(x) satis-
a1 bitrary
l
&es ~ hlet's conditi ons in the interva l ( - ,r, :11) an~ it
1T w '

:,_: : : i f f(t) cos nt dt, bn = i f f(t) sin nt dt, (n = 0, 1, 2,- · ·), !.

ti. _ -'71'
~ · ,s series
Fou rier
00 .

}ao+ ~ (un c:os nx+bn sin nx)

1

ll\'eries to~ [ f(x+O )+f(z - 0)] at every point in -x < x <a

 ELEMENTS OF MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS
234
and f(x-0) exist; at x=±,r, it c
where f (x +o) onver«es to
Hf{ . ir+O)+f(ir -0) ] when f(- "+O) and f (,r -0) exist,

t&·o. Half-range series as a C~ i~e Series. •

Let f(x) be given in the inte~val (O, ~) and satisfy Dirichlet'
itions in that interval. Define f(x) in - :,r ~ x "< 0 b s
cond . h Y the
uationf(-x)=f(x). Thefunct1ont us defined for (-,r
eq d.. . h. · ,~)
satisfies Dirichlet's con 1t1ons 10 t 1s interval. On €. xpand·
· · Id b h ing
f(x) in a Fourier's series, 1t wou e seen t at
1T 1T

"• =¾ f f(t) cos nt dt leads to a,.= fJ f(t) cos nt dt,

0

,, r.

r and b,.=! f f(t) sin nt dt leads to bn = 0, (n = l , 2, ··)

- 'Ir

Hence the Fourier's series for f (x) takes the form

.,, 00 'TT

! f f(t) dt+ ~ ~cos nx f (t) cos nt dt, (0 ~ x ~ x).

o 1 0

Also from the way in which f x) is defined in - ~ ~ .x < O,

we have Hf +O)+f( - 0) l f ( +o) and H f( - "+o + f(~ - 0)]
-f(,c-0), provided th·e limits f( + 0) and f (:re - 0) exist.

. If
. follows th a t w h en f (x) 1s
. an ar b1trary
. · satisfyinl
fu nctwn .e
Dinchlet's conditions in (0, :ir), the sum of the half-range coslll
series is equal t 0 l [ ] · . b t-een O
2 f(x +O) + f (x - 0) at every point e d yo

311
and where f( +O)
,r f(-+ 0)
'/(,c- ) . x and f(x - O) exist ; and when
. 0 exist, the sum is f(+0) at x = 0 and f(:,c - 0) at x::::;1',

15'6. Half-ranae
• &er188 as a Sine Series. et''
Let f(x) be g • . piricbl .f
co....1:t· • iven in the interval (0 :,c) and sat1s y b1 cl>'
AtW ions 1n that int ' . L. ~ 0 · ,)
equation f( - x) == - erva1. Define f(x) in - :,c - x for (- $,
f(x). The function t hus defined
 FOURIER SERIES 235
satisfies Diric hlet' s conditions in this interval. And it may be
easilY seen that
ff

b,. =- ~... ft(t) sin nt dt leads to · nt dt,

bn = i2 f"f()t sm
~ .;,1,1
0 1~' '
and that an= 0 (n = 0, 1, 2, ·-)

Henc e the Four ier's serie s for f(x) is now

I
)

00
.i .
2 ~ . f'TT '
; ~ sm nx f (t) sin nt ~t.
1 . 0

Thus when f (x) is an arbit rary func tion satifying Diric hlet's
l to
conditions in (0, n), the sum of the half-range sine -seri~s equa
1
1 [ f(x+ 0 )+f( x-0 ) at every poin t ' betw een O and :1t wher e
2
s
f(x__+O) and f (x - O) exist ; and since all the terms of the serie
s.
vanish when x = 0 and x = n, the sum is zero at these point I
!
I

end points a:=O

Note 1. It wili"be noticed that whenf(ro) is continuous at the
these points. The sine
ind Z=ff', the cosine series gives the value of the fun ction at
aeries gives the va.lue of J(x) at these points if /(ro) ls zero there. ·
series are periodic
Note 2. The sum functi ons of the half-r ange sine a.nd cosine
with period 27T,
Note 3. Consi der the three cases :
(i) /(z) is define d in the interv ~l ( - "• 1r),
0) by the equati on
(ii) /(z) is define d in (0, tr) a.nd extended to (-11,
f(-,)= f(z),
by the e~ u&tioo
(iii) /(z) is define d in (0, ,r) a.nd extended to ( - '11' , 0)

~--c) =-/(z ) ;
•her .. . f( ) 1·n the a,bove three ca.see ha.ve identica.l sums for
er's series 1or :,;
eae the Fouri
taln.... . . (O 11) their sums a.re different for values of '21 in the
- of z in the open mterv al • • . fl,
0
Pen internl ( - ", O). '· '

16·7. · Transformations.
, th • terval
10
( - •, ,r) to (-l, l) •
. ,a) To change e ·
236 ELEMENTS OF MATHEMATICAL AN ALYSIS

Take the Fourier's series for </,(y) in ( - ", .1t) in the form

f
00 .,,

J,. </>{_v)dv+ l ~{cos ny

1
f
- .,,
'P(x) cos nv dv
- 7J
.,,
+sin ny f 4>(v) sin r,v dv};
-'TT'

T an d
and put y =.?rX v= l ; t he 1·1m1ts
.?rt . are t
l1ere by changed into
.

-1, l.
Now ¢(y)=¢{~x) =f(x) say and. so ¢(v) =¢(7 ) =f(t). ·Also
1T

. !cos ny ·J¢(v) co s nv dv is transformed into

-1T

l
.
_ 1- cos n:n:x
--
l
f ('Jltt)•
l

¢ - - dt =-l cos -
cos n:ttt
l
nnx
-
l l
l
f ft() - dt,
cos n:ttt
l
- l - l
1T

and similarly_1 sin ny f ¢(v) sin nv dv is transformed into

-11'

, l
1 · n:ttxf nnt
z sm T f(t) sin - - dt .
1
-l

Thus the series is transformed into

l oo l

~If f(t) dt+}~{ cos n;x f f(t) cos n:i dt

-l .1 -z
+ • T f f(t)
z
n.?rx
sin sin ~.1ttdt ), ( - l ~ x ~ l).
' -z '
The corresponding cosine and sine series are -.

lJ
l f(t) +2"
I

1~ dt
. co

cos ~ f I
f (t) cos n,ctdt, (0 ~ ~
. ~n
o 1
· . l 0 .
l
 P'OURIER SERIES
237
00 '
2 ~ s . n.1ixf n1rt
l ~ m T f (t) sin ydt, (0 ~ i ~ 1).
1 0 •

It is to be understood _that in all the three cases f(x ) must

· · hi , d· • ,
saris~Y D1ric et s con 1t1ons in ( - l, /).
(b) To change the interval ( - n, n) into (0, 2n).
Taking the Fourier's series for efi(y) in ( -n, n) as
,,,. 00 'ff

.
2
~ f </J(v) dv+ l~
-r 1
{cos ny
-
f'ff
</>(v) cos nv dv

'ff

+sin ny f cp(v) sin nv dv ),

-'ff

we put y = x - x , v = t- ,r ; the limits are at once changed into

0, 2,r,
Now </>(y) = 4(x -n) = f( x) say and so cp(v) =¢(t-n)= f(t).
7T

And ~ cos n y f cp(v) cos nv dv is changed into

- '1T •
2'1T

} cos n(x - n) f </>(t- ,r) cos n (t - x)dt

I·
'
0

21T

=( -l)n ! cos nx
:JC 0
f (- 1? f (t) cos nt dt

21T

== -I cos nx
:JC
f f (t) cos nt dt .
0

.
Silllilarly 1- s1n 'l.Y
f .J..( )
1T

•
..,,. v
sin nv dv is changed mto
•

%
- ff
2•
== 1 sin nx f(t) siu nt dt.
~
J
0
 /
~-.
r'~'-~ ff~TS OF MATHEMATICAL ANALYS
l98 ELEMJW" . 1S
FOuriet's series for f{x) m the interval (O "-
Hence t be . , ~) " - .

the form 211

. t f
~" f(t) dt+ i ~ \'os nx
1 ~f f f(t) cos nt dt
2~ l O
0

i1"
+sin _nx f f(t) sin nt dt }; (0 ,,; x ,,; 2it),
0

provided f(x) satisfies J?irichlet's c;ondit~ons in (0, 2:1t), ·

(c) To change the interval ( -x, x) 1~to (a, b), ta < b).
Starting with the Fourier's series for </>(y)_in ( - x, 3t) in the fonn,
00 7T

f 1 f cf,(v)
ff

~ </>(v) dy+¼ {cos ny cos nv dv

-Tr 1 -7T

7T

+sin ny f </>(v) sin nv dv },

- 11

,,; we put y = 2:it(x - a) - x and v = 2n(t - a) - n .- then the limits

b-a b- a ' ·
- •, ~ are at once changed into a and b.

· Now ~(y)~</>{2x~~~a)_x}=f(x) say, and so cp(v)=f(t),

Tr

Also 1
i cos_ny f
-11
cf,(v) cos nv
· ·
d~

2 . .
=;;- c~s {?!!3t(x-a) } fb {2mi(t-a) n")dt
-a b-a --n~ f(t) cos b- a ~
.
a

2 . .
•:---cos 2mt(x-a)fb
b-a -&-a- f(t) cos 2n,r(t -a) dt;
11 b- a ·

and sunilarly
· 1 .
·
- sin nJI
~
j". ; (v) sin nv dv·
 FOURIER• SERIES

b
239
m I

2 .
_.-sin 2n3;;x-a)f f(t) sin 2n,r(t- a) d
b-a -a a b -a ~

b
2nx(x-a)f () 2nx(t-a)
;\gain cos b_ a f t cos -,;_-;- dt
a

' b
• 2n:ii
+sin
(x-a)f f(t) sin 2n,r (t -a)dt
~ -b -a
a b-a

-f
-
b
f(t) cos 2n:1t (t -
o-a
r x) d t. , l

Thus the Fourier's series for c/>(y) in ( - :,r, :,r) is transformed intg
b oc b

b~a f f {t)dt+b 2a ~ f f(t) cos 2n~~~x)dt, .

a i o

b) (a ~ 1: ~
on the understanJing that f(¾) satisfies· D irichlet's conditions in
~I h).

15'8. Calculation of Fourier's coefficients.

The following examples will show the method of calculation
of Fourier's coefficients for a given function.
~ Find a series of sines and cm ines of multiples of x which
+
represent .x x 2 in the interval -1i < x < x.
(C. H. 1960, '62, '64)
'1T 'Tr '1T

liere ao= !
:Jt
f (x+ x2 )dx= l J 7t
x2 dx=~ f x2 dx= 2:1t311 •
3t
u
-71

w ff .

Cl~=1 f_,,,(x+x 2
) cos nx dx=~ fx
0
2
cos n x dx,
l .

after integration by part5, we find that a,. - ,.4i eos n,r.

 240 ~ ELEMENTS OF MATHEMATICAL ANALY.s1s

ff ff

Also 1,11 -¼ f (x+ x") sin nx dx =- ~ f x sin nx dx

-ff O .

· ( - l)"-1
which gives b,.~ . 2
;·

Putting these values in·

~a 0 +(a 1 cos .x+b 1 sin x)+(ag cos Zx+b 9 ain 2x)+·· ·,

weget x+x•="';+4(-cosx+½sinx}-4h?~- cos2x ;, f

+~ sin 2.t) ,-"
, +···when-n<x<n. · !tX
At x= + "', !( f{ _:_ x+O)+f(n-0) '] 'gives for
0

or, ' ' ~~

· na cd
Note : Siuce x, x cos nx, x 2 sin nx are odd functions, we can omit these ii:
calculating aa, an, bn for
7r 7r 7r

{ x dx, 1 cos x nx ~x, } x 2 sin nx dx all vanish.

-'Tr -1r - 'Tr

0
J. Find a series of sines and cosines of multiples of x w~icb
will represent f(x) in the interval - :,i < x < :1i, 'when ~o.,
f(x)=O, (-:,i < x ~ O)

f(x)=~x, (0 < x < :ir). (C. H. 1963; 1961)

We first observe that
,,, 0 . 7r . · 'Ir '
\1
f f(x)dx= f f(x)dx+ f f(x) cl.x , f f(x) dx,,
-ff ~ff O o
1i1:1Ce f(x) == 0 in ( - :it, 0). .,
 FOURIER SERIES

"
lJ,rx ,rv
t{ence ao .. ,r -4 dx= -8 ,
-
0

tr

an- -
lf,rx 1
- cos nx dx=-• (cos n3t-l).
,r 0 4 4n

lfxx" . ,r
bn= - -4 sin nx dx= - - cos n,r;.
X
0
4n
9

••
f( x)=,r; +!(-cos x+~ sin
16 2 2 x}-~8 sin 2x+···
it 1rben -,r; < X < ,r;.

At x=±x,
2
½[ f(-x + O)+f(,r; -0)
9
J=~ 2
and so we get

-=-+
3t 1- ( 1+-1 + -1 +··· )
3t
8 16 2 3 5 2 2
'
2
or, 3t 1 1
13=1+32+ 52+···
/ . Expand x in Fourier's series in - ,r; < x < ,r;.
2

2
Obviously x is an even function of x. So the expansion wilf
be in a cosine series, namely

1T co 'If'

~f t 2
dt +~ ~ cos nx f 2
t cos nt dt.
CJ ..,,:::. l. 0

'1T

Now ! f ~2dt= ;2.

0

,r

Also by integration by parts, ft 9

cos nt dt=( -1)" ;.;.
0

e x• ._ ~ _ 4(cos1 x _ cos 2x + cos 3x _ ,•·) (- ,r < x•_< a).

3 1 2• 3• '
l ~ . A.-16
 242 ELEMENTS OF MATHEMATIC AL ANALYSIS

At x= ±,r, the sum of the series is n and we get the result

9

•
: =1+ 2.+ 3i + ······
1 1 1/1
4.
' . ' . .
. Expand x in a Fourier s series 1n - n < x < ,r.
c \._,. (C. H. 1962)
x being an odd function of x , the expansion will be in a sine
series. It is
00 1T

~ ~sin nx ft sin nt dt.

1 0
gn
By integration by parts,

f
o
t sin nt dt = ( -1)11+ 1 ~-

x = 2 (sin
--x - sin
-- 2x + sin
- -3x - ···) w h en - n <· x <· ,.,
.,.
1 2 3
At x= ±n, the sum of the series is obviously 0.
n. 1 1 1
Putting x= , we get
2
X
4 =1- + - + •··.
3 5 7
-~ If f(x)=x in (O, n), expan d f( x ) in a cosine series.
o Defining f(x) in ( - x, O) by the equ ation f( - x) = f(x), t be
tl'eq uired series is
.,, 00 'ft

~f
.,., t dt+ ii~
0
2
~
1
cos nx ft 0
cos nt dt.

,,
Now It cos nt dt= ,!-.[c-1r-1] ;hence
x=~-![cos9 x+cos 3x+cos 5x + ···)
2 X 1 32 5s •
Note : If /(z) = I z I in - .,, < z < .,,, we also get the same expansion.
~. = Ogiv•~ . .
.,,s _ 1 1 .·
a~-l+ a• +c;a + ....
 FOURIER SERIES 243
\ JJaDIPles.
i, Find the Fourier's series for the function defined by
1- f(x)-=l for O < x < x,
=O for x=O,
= -1 for - :,i < x < 0.
Deduce the value of the series
t.
1 1 1
l-3+5-7+· ...
[ The given function is an odd function and so expands into the

sine series : rf • IL . ~ rf
j 9~l-o1[r. a,0 , ,
00 fT [f €.fU- <> 'JIJ7 - '"y) ()

f
t

; ~ sin nx sin nt dt , -::; .L re:,J ~ r?

l. 0 ,:;::::--v,L-' :_;J t

~t}n ,
= 2~1
- - -(
- --
1)" Slil
.
:7t n
t!X,
-; ~~ •,..
. + sin 3x +sin 5x+ ... )
f(x ) =;4 (smx
So - - 5 ·
3
x x . 1 1 1+ ]
Putting x=
2, we get 4
= 1 - 3 + 5 - 7 ... .

072. Expand in a series of sines and cosine~ of multiples of x,

n the function d efined by
f(x) = x - x when O < x < :ii ,
=x - x when - x < x < O.
· f
What is the value of t he series - x and x = 0 7
or x -- +
(C.H. 1966)

[ an = 1-:,i f f (t)
o
cos nt
o
dt - l f f(t) cos nt dt+ - f (t) cos nt dt
- •::;.• :it
lf 1T

0
-11

1T

1 f (t -~) co s nt dt +;Ifc~-t) cos nt dt

0

ca
X
_.,,. _____, o
-1'

== 2{1 -( -1)"} (n;i 0) ;

ns~
 LYSIS
244 ELEMENTS OF MA THE MA TIC AL ANA
,..
0

Sim ilar ly b,.=l f (t-,r) sin nt dt+ff (n-t) sin nt d~ 0

- "

=2 {1 -(- l)" l
n
Thu s fb .
an and b,. bot h vanish wh en n is eve n.

f( X )
= _! +~
2" jf;
{cos x+1r: sin x+ cos3 23x+:1i---sin
l2 1 3··
3x ··
- + .. , ) ,. 01
'sin x sin 3x ). (.
= _!: it+ ! (co1s2 x +c os3 23x +. :·)+ 4 l~ + 3 +.....
2 :it

At x=O , the sum is ~ [ f(+ O) + f(- 0)= }[

(~) +(- n) ]=o.
At x = + n, the sum
=}l f(n - 0) +f ( - n+ O)] =! [0+( - 21r) ]= - _n. Shol
~n
Put ting any of the se val ues , we get [
2
1 ] z) in
:7t
-= 1+ -1 + - + ···
8 32 5 2 I -

in: 1
~ /4 Find the sme series wh ich rep rese nts f(x )=n -x_
.- (C. H. 19€6) b-
0 < X < n.

!.
'ff'

[ b,. = if (
Q
n - t) sin nt dt =

Sin ce f (x) is con tinu ous in O < x < :rr,

:1t -x= 2 {sin x+ sin 2x + si; 3x + ·· ·).

1 2
n and the left side
The righ t side is zero for )o.t h x = O and x =

fr)r onl y x-= ,r, The rep res ent atio n hol d; fer
x= n but not for x~·o.J
f(x) =" - X in
t> /4' Fin d the Fou rier 's cos ine series for
seri es for x= ±" is o.
O < x < "· Pro ve tha t the sum of the
He nce ded uce the sum of
1 I 1 (C. H, 1961)
1. + 3• +5 2 + ....
 FOURIER. SERIES 245

{ f(x) being continuous in O < x < ,r.- we get

~ 2{1- ( -1)"} cos nx
~ - x .:it
=z -
2
+ . ~-----'--
2
Jtn

= ~+4
2 Jt
(cosl x+ co~3x+···
23
) 2 •

The sum of the series at ~ = 0 is f( + 0) = ,i and at x = .:it, it 1s

2
.7t
=l+ §"i' 1 · ..]
1 +.52+
µ,- 0)=0 whence we get 8
vV- Show that if O < x < :1t, then
00
n· l
=i- x = ~ + """sin"2nx.
2 ~ ·n
1

Show that the equation does not hold for x = 0 and .i = ,i and • I •

explain why it does not hold. (C: H. 1963)

[ When the limits are changed to a, b, t~e Fourier's series for
Kx) in (a, b) is
b b
Ill

9t
b-½ ff (t) dt + b
a
2
a ~ cos n;~
2
-
61
a) f f(t) cos ~
a
14
:~ ~ .i)dt

+ b- 2-a ~sin
. 2n:1t(x-a)J f(t) • 2n:Jt.(t-
b
-a
s1n b
-a
a)dt
.
a

[Art. 15'7(c)]
In this make a== O and b = 1r. We !iasily get
~

f f(t) sin 2n;(t-

. b

f f<..t) cos 2 n:1t(t- a ) dt :r::: 0,

b-a -a
a) dt =
2n
:Jt,

a a

h
,r2
and
f
4
f(t) dt =
2.
lhus ~ -
- -2+ sin1 2x + -sin24x+sin36x+ ...• ]
~ -%
 v -··
246 ELEMENTS OF MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS

.,,.., Given f(%)-} •% ·when O ..: %,;; i•

... f(x)=} ,r(,r-x) when; ~ x ~ ",
find (i) a series of cosines of multiples of x which ~ill represent ,t1i
f(x) in the Interval O ~ x ~ ,r; f
(ii) a series of sines of multiples o~ x which will represent
f(x) in the interval O ~ x ~ :it. (C.H. 1~6S)
,, ff

an=gf 2! :itx cos nx dx+ g I! ,r(,r-x)cos nx dx

x 4 ,r 4 .
0 ~
"2'
ff
~ • ff

=~f x cos nx dx+~ f (Jt-x) cos nx dx,

0 ff
2

which gives
a. -- - ~ 1n 2 {1 +cos n,r - 2 cos nn}
-2 = n-22 cos nn . 2 n,r
-2 sm - -
2 4I ·

0
Also 2 cos~ sin 51 nn- =2 cos n:ii (sin _~)• " ;
_, n2 2 4 2 • nn- • 16
-4
3t2
as n ➔ 0, we get a o = -s·
2

-16- 2{cos2 2 2x +cos 26x +· ..},(0 ~ x~,r)

• f(x)-:1t
·•
6

2
· (ii) bn=;
f2-1,rx sin nx dx+~ f! ,r(,r-x) sin nxdx
ff

ff . ·,

0
4 • n 4 ,

,,
-
-2
1 JIx . 610
. 1
nx dx+- f (,r-x) sin nx dx
fl'

. 0 2 fl'
!"
giving bn =_!
n• sin nx
2 , Thus
f(x) =sin x - sin 3x sin 5x
. 31 +7 -··· ]

,J
 FOURIER SERIES 247·
Jf. Find the Fourier series for f(x) where
'
f ( x )-2
-
.,r:h ,r:. e
sin
CID

the interval - ,r: < X < "· What is the sum of the series for
== :J: ~ ? (C. H. 1965)
'fr

f2
I'

[ an = 1r! sin
.1rh
1r
• et cos nt dt
-'fr

-_ .1h
2• sin x
f e cos nt dt = (-1)"
'fr

t
1 +n . 2 ;

-'fr

f
'

1
bn = . h et sin nt dt = ( - l)n-i n ; als~ a 0 = 1
2 sin 1r 1 +n 2 '
- '1T

z
= 1+
2 ( - 1 +112 cos x + 1 +11 • )
1
,r:
•' 2 sinh ,r: e 2 sin x

+ (l+122 cos 2x- +222 sin 2x

1
' ) +···( ,r: < x < ,r: ), ·

Atx=±x, ! [ f ( -x+O)+f(:ir - 0) ]= _n . (e"+e-11)

2 2 sinh ,r:
= 2,r: coth "· ]

~- Represent f(x) where f(x)=cos px in -x ~x ~ ,r: ( p not

Ulg an integer) in a Fourier Series. Deduce that -
00

sin,r:p,r: = ~ (-l)" G~P + n+~-p). (C.H .. 1965)·

ft=O

[ Since cos px is an even function, the expansion will be in a

tog·
llle series.
• 1T

cz,. == ! f cos pt cos nt dt -i f {cos

0
(p +n)t +cos <,,- n)t}de
-==~n (i,+n)s sin {p-n)x.
(11+n),c + (p-n)s •
248 ELEMENTS OF MAT HEM ATIC AL ANALYSIS ~

whe nce a o =2. sin p,c. Now it is easy to see that .

px
sin (p+ n) ~=s in (p- n) x = ( -1), . sin px.
sin (p+ n) x sin (p-n ) x _ ( - ll2p .sin px
(p+ n) x + (p-n ) x -
2
•• x p -n•" "•

sin px{l 2p cos x 2p 2cos222x.

So CO& px =- X
-- -p- p
- 2
- 12
+ p- ,
3x + ..·} (_ x <.
_ 2p 2cos3s <. x)•
--.; ; x -.::;
p -
Putt ing x ==O, we get
px{l _ · I _ 1 + 1 + 1 _ 1 _ 1 + .. ·}
1 _ sin p p+l p-l P+2 p -2 P+3 p-3
x
CIO

cot p rr=!+ 2p~p~ , ]

Note : P uttin g x=11, we deduce 1r
p - n
:
/ . Whe n x lies betw een + x, pr ove the r elati ons
o ,
c,"n = ~ 51·n mx ( sin x 2 sin 2x+ 3 sin 3x _ '... ).'
2 2 2
..1 mx x 2
1 -m 2- 2
2 - m 3 - m

cos ·mx= .? sin mx

2m l -m
(--1
+ m2 cos 2x _ m 2cos 2x
2
+ m 2cos 3x2 _ ···).
2 -m · 3 ~ m
" 1,,,: \ ... .

Hen ce prov e the relat ion · · \' · '

1 2u 2u
cot u= u- + u~-
2
-x
-+
2 ~- ~ +····
u -4x '
2 · ·· . ·,·,·')
·. r_.)
[ To prov e the last relat ion, put x = x and mx s::: u. ]
.
'•

JO, For all valu es of x betw een •

~an
,...
d - ~I:\ , prove that
... ~

0
x=~ (sin x-sin 3x+ sin 2
% 3• 5
5x_ ···) ' •,

O and ~,
[From Ex. 5, Art. 15'8, we have , ~he n x lies between
x=~- ~[~os x +cos 3x +cos 5x+ ···]
l' 3• 5'
2 x

Now put x -= ; - p. ]
 FOURIER SERIES •
249
11. Find a function of x which has the value c when x lies
~tween O and a, and the value O when x lies between a and z.
[ Use the cosine series of Art. 15'7(a),
ca+2c [ • :n:a :n:x 1 . 2na 2nx ·
~(x) = T x s~?. T cos T + sm - - cos - -
2 2 1
I . 3na ·
+3 sm -z cos -3nx
z-+···1
12. Find a function which shall be equal to cos x for all
values of x bet ween O and :n:, and t o - cos x for all values of x
between - x and 0.
1T

[ We easily fi n d Jf(x) cos nx dx = 0, and we get

-1T

cos x=~ ~ sin 2x+ ~ sin 4x+ ~ sin 6x + .. ·}. ]

13 35 57
13. Prove t hat when -1 < x < l,
00

x+x 2 =~+~~( - l)11 {2 co~ n3tx _sio. n:irx}. l

. 3 x~ · n x n ,
1 ·1
. { Take the series in Art. 15'7 (c) and put a= -1, b·= l. ]
.\ 14. Find the Fourier series which represents I sin x I m·
t 'lt ~ X ~ :,r;,

~ -~ 4 c~s 2nx ].
[x (4n -1);,r;

15, 1£ f(x) equals x in (o, ;) , and equals O in(~,")• then

to~e that
' . .x 231' . sin 5x
f( ""')--2....{sin x+ :,r, •
2x- sin 3_ - - sin 4.x+ 59
"" ,t 12 21 ~Ill - 3s. 4'

+:: sin 6.x - .. -}.

. • ctangular co-ordinates,
·Prove that the equation, in re
1 2nx 1 3:irx .. )
J> == ~h +4h ( cos :,ix - -, cos - k +3' cos T - .
3 ~s k 2
250 ELEMENTS OF MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS

represenrs a series of equal and similar parabolic arcs of height It

and span 2k standing in contact along the axis of x.
11
[ If P be the point (x, y ), we have x = A(h - y) as the ·equation,
of the parabola.
Also y=O when x=k ;

/ Y
/

I
-k 0
- ·
I
+k X

F ig. 17

The Fourier series for this is, since it is an even function,.

k k

h- p=kIf kgt k f
t+k ~ cos nJtx
h s d 2 ·· h 2 nJtt
kg t cos k dt.
0 . 0

Evaluating the integrals, we get

- -cos :rtx
h+4h{
· h -p= -3 I 2nx -1 cos -3nx+ .. ·}
- +-cos~-
,a;• k 2 2 k 32 k .
or, y== 2h + 4h{ :rtx+ I 2:rtx+ 1 . 3nx _ ,.. }.l~
3 "2 cos T 22 cos T 39 cos T Ji

...