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Title: Fourier Series Tutorial
Description: Well comprehensive notes on Fourier Series Tutorial

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Series
FOURIER SERIES
Graham S McDonald
A self-contained Tutorial Module for learning
the technique of Fourier series analysis

● Table of contents
● Begin Tutorial

c 2004 g
...
mcdonald@salford
...
uk


Table of contents
1
...

3
...

5
...

7
...
Theory
● A graph of periodic function f (x) that has period L exhibits the
same pattern every L units along the x-axis, so that f (x + L) = f (x)
for every value of x
...
For example, adding
c2 sin(2kx + α2 ) = a2 cos(2kx) + b2 sin(2kx)
c3 sin(3kx + α3 ) = a3 cos(3kx) + b3 sin(3kx)

(the 2nd harmonic)
(the 3rd harmonic)

Here, symbols with subscripts are constants that determine the amplitude and phase of each harmonic contribution
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Section 1: Theory

5

One can even approximate a square-wave pattern with a suitable sum
that involves a fundamental sine-wave plus a combination of harmonics of this fundamental frequency
...
Their fundamental frequency is then
k = 2π
L = 1, and their Fourier series representations involve terms like
a1 cos x ,

b1 sin x

a2 cos 2x ,

b2 sin 2x

a3 cos 3x ,

b3 sin 3x

We also include a constant term a0 /2 in the Fourier series
...
With a sufficient number of harmonics included, our approximate series can exactly represent a given function f (x)

f (x) = a0 /2

Toc

+ a1 cos x + a2 cos 2x + a3 cos 3x +
...


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Section 1: Theory

7

A more compact way of writing the Fourier series of a function f (x),
with period 2π, uses the variable subscript n = 1, 2, 3,
...
This process is broken down into three steps
STEP ONE

a0

=

1
π

=

1
π

=

1
π

Z
f (x) dx


STEP TWO

an

Z
f (x) cos nx dx


STEP THREE

bn

Z
f (x) sin nx dx


where integrations are over a single interval in x of L = 2π
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Section 1: Theory

8

● Finally, specifying a particular value of x = x1 in a Fourier series,
gives a series of constants that should equal f (x1 )
...
Exercises
Click on Exercise links for full worked solutions (7 exercises in total)
...

Let f (x) be a function of period 2π such that

1, −π < x < 0
f (x) =
0, 0 < x < π
...

2 π
3
5
c) By giving an appropriate value to x, show that
π
1 1 1
= 1 − + − +
...

Let f (x) be a function of period 2π such that

0, −π < x < 0
f (x) =
x, 0 < x < π
...

4
π
3
5


1
1
+ sin x − sin 2x + sin 3x −
...


2

and (ii) π8 = 1 + 312 + 512 + 712 +
...

Let f (x) be a function of period 2π such that

x, 0 < x < π
f (x) =
π, π < x < 2π
...

4
π
3
5


1
1
− sin x + sin 2x + sin 3x +
...


and (ii)

π2
8

= 1+

1
32

+

1
52

+

1
72

+
...

Let f (x) be a function of period 2π such that
f (x) =

x
over the interval 0 < x < 2π
...

2
2
3
c) By giving an appropriate value to x, show that
π
1 1 1 1
= 1 − + − + −
...

Let f (x) be a function of period 2π such that

π − x, 0 < x < π
f (x) =
0,
π < x < 2π
a) Sketch a graph of f (x) in the interval −2π < x < 2π
b) Show that the Fourier series for f (x) in the interval 0 < x < 2π is


π
1
2
1
+
cos x + 2 cos 3x + 2 cos 5x +
...

2
3
4
c) By giving an appropriate value to x, show that
π2
1
1
= 1 + 2 + 2 +
...

Let f (x) be a function of period 2π such that
f (x) = x in the range − π < x < π
...

2
3
c) By giving an appropriate value to x, show that
π
1 1 1
= 1 − + − +
...

Let f (x) be a function of period 2π such that
f (x) = x2 over the interval − π < x < π
...

3
2
3
c) By giving an appropriate value to x, show that
π2
1
1
1
= 1 + 2 + 2 + 2 +
...
Answers
The sketches asked for in part (a) of each exercise are given within
the full worked solutions – click on the Exercise links to see these
solutions
The answers below are suggested values of x to get the series of
constants quoted in part (c) of each exercise
1
...
(i) x =
3
...
x =

π
2,
π
2,

(ii) x = 0,
(ii) x = 0,

π
2,

5
...
x =

π
2,

7
...


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Section 4: Integrals

17

4
...
Useful trig results
When calculating the Fourier coefficients an and bn , for which n =
1, 2, 3,
...
results are useful
...
, can be deduced from
the graph of sin x or that of cos x
1

● sin nπ = 0

s in (x )

x
−3π

−2π

−π

0

π





π





−1

1

● cos nπ = (−1)n

c o s(x )

x
−3π

−2π

−π

0
−1

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Section 5: Useful trig results
1

20

s in (x )

1

c o s(x )

x
−3π

−π

−2π

0

π





x
−3π

−2π

−π

−1


π 
● sin n =

2

π

0





−1


0 , n even
0 , n odd
π 
1 , n = 1, 5, 9,
...


2
−1 , n = 3, 7, 11,
...


Areas cancel when
when integrating
overR whole periods

sin nx dx = 0

R

cos nx dx = 0

1

+
−3π

−2π

s in (x )

+
+

−π

0

π

−1



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x


Section 6: Alternative notation

21

6
...
Tips on using solutions
● When looking at the THEORY, ANSWERS, INTEGRALS, TRIG
or NOTATION pages, use the Back button (at the bottom of the
page) to return to the exercises

● Use the solutions intelligently
...


1, −π < x < 0
f (x) =
0, 0 < x < π, and has period 2π
a) Sketch a graph of f (x) in the interval −2π < x < 2π

f(x )
1

−2π

Toc

−π

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0

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π

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Solutions to exercises

26

b) Fourier series representation of f (x)
STEP ONE

1
a0 =
π

Z
1 π
f (x)dx =
f (x)dx +
f (x)dx
π 0
−π
−π
Z
Z
1 0
1 π
=
1 · dx +
0 · dx
π −π
π 0
Z
1 0
=
dx
π −π
1 0
=
[x]
π −π
1
=
(0 − (−π))
π
1
=
· (π)
π
i
...
a0 = 1
...
e
...


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Solutions to exercises

28

STEP THREE

bn

1
π

=

1
π

=

1
π

=

i
...
bn

=
=
=

i
...
bn

=

Z

π

f (x) sin nx dx
−π
Z 0

f (x) sin nx dx +
−π
Z 0

1 · sin nx dx +
−π

1
π

1
π
Z

π

Z

f (x) sin nx dx
0
π

0 · sin nx dx
0


0
1 − cos nx
sin nx dx =
π
n
−π
−π
1
1
− [cos nx]0−π = −
(cos 0 − cos(−nπ))


1
1
− (1 − cos nπ) = −
(1 − (−1)n ) , see Trig




0
, n even
1 , n even
n
,
since
(−1)
=
2
−1 , n odd
− nπ
, n odd
1
π

Toc

Z

0

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Solutions to exercises

29

We now have that


a0 X
f (x) =
+
[an cos nx + bn sin nx]
2
n=1
with the three steps giving

a0 = 1, an = 0 , and bn =

0
2
− nπ

, n even
, n odd

It may be helpful to construct a table of values of bn
n
bn

1
− π2

2
3 
0 − π2 13

4
5 
0 − π2 15

Substituting our results now gives the required series


1
1
2
1
f (x) = −
sin x + sin 3x + sin 5x +
...


Comparing this series with


1
2
1
1
f (x) = −
sin x + sin 3x + sin 5x +
...

So we need sin x = 1, sin 3x = −1, sin 5x = 1, sin 7x = −1, etc
The first condition of sin x = 1 suggests trying x =
This choice gives
i
...


sin π2
1

+


1
3

sin 3 π2
1
3

+
+

1
5

π
2
...

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1
7

sin 7 π2
1
7

Solutions to exercises

Picking x =

31

π
2

thus gives
h
0 = 21 − π2 sin π2 +

i
...
0 =

1
2



2
π

h

1



1
3

sin 3π
2 +

1
5

sin 5π
2

+

1
7

sin 7π
2 +
...


i

i

A little manipulation then gives a series representation of π4


2
1 1 1
1
1 − + − +
...

3 5 7
4
Return to Exercise 1

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Solutions to exercises

Exercise 2
...
e
...

2

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Solutions to exercises

34

STEP TWO

an =

1
π

Z

π

f (x) cos nx dx =
−π

1
π
1
π

Z

0

f (x) cos nx dx +
−π
Z 0

1
π
Z

Z

π

f (x) cos nx dx
0
π

1
0 · cos nx dx +
x cos nx dx
π
−π
0

π Z π

Z π
1
sin nx
sin nx
1
x cos nx dx =
x

dx
i
...
an =
π 0
π
n
n
0
0
=

(using integration by parts)


1
sin nπ
1 h cos nx iπ
π
−0 −

π
n
n
n
0


1
1
(
0 − 0) + 2 [cos nx]π0
π
n
1
1
{cos nπ − cos 0} =
{(−1)n − 1}
2
2
πn
πn

0
, n even
, see Trig
...
e
...
e
...
e
...
e
...
e
...

5
1
1
+ sin x − sin 2x + sin 3x −
...

π
3
5


1
1
+ sin x − sin 2x + sin 3x −
...


Comparing this series with


π
2
1
1
f (x) =

cos x + 2 cos 3x + 2 cos 5x +
...
,
2
3
the required series of constants does not involve terms like 312 , 512 , 712 ,
...

The Trig section shows that cos n π2 = 0 when n is odd, and note also
that cos nx terms in the Fourier series all have odd n
i
...


cos x = cos 3x = cos 5x =
...
e
...
= 0
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when x =

I

π
2,

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Solutions to exercises

39

Setting x = π2 in the series for f (x) gives


π
π
2
π
1
1


f
=

cos + 2 cos
+ 2 cos
+
...

+ sin − sin
2
2
2
3
2
4
2
5
2
π
2
=
− [0 + 0 + 0 +
...

+ 1 − sin
2 | {z } 3
4 | {z } 5
=0

=0

The graph of f (x) shows that f
π
2
π
i
...

4
Toc

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=
=


π
2

=

π
2,

so that

π
1 1 1
+ 1 − + − +
...

3 5 7
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Solutions to exercises

40

Pick an appropriate value of x, to show that
(ii)

π2
8

=1+

1
32

+

1
52

+

1
72

+
...

π
3
5


1
1
+ sin x − sin 2x + sin 3x −
...
e
...

4
π
3
5
7
sin 0 sin 0
+ sin 0 −
+

...
+ 0 − 0 + 0 −
...

=
π
3
5
7
1
1
1
and
1 + 2 + 2 + 2 +
...

8

Return to Exercise 2
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Solutions to exercises

42

Exercise 3
...
e
...

2

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Solutions to exercises

44

STEP TWO

an

=

=

=

Z

1
π

Z

1
π

"

f (x) cos nx dx
0
π

0

1
x cos nx dx +
π

sin nx
x
n

|
=



1
π



Z

0

0

{z

π

Z



π · cos nx dx
π

#

2π
sin nx
π sin nx
dx +
n
π
n
π
}

using integration by parts

" 
 
π #
− cos nx
1 1
π sin nπ − 0 · sin n0 −
π n
n2
0
+

Toc

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1
(sin n2π − sin nπ)
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Solutions to exercises

i
...
an

45

=

" 
 


#
1 1
cos nπ cos 0
1
0−0 +
0−0
− 2
+
π n
n2
n
n

=

1
(cos nπ − 1), see Trig
n2 π

=


1
(−1)n − 1 ,
2
n π

(

− n22 π

, n odd

0

, n even
...
e
...
e
...
e
...

n

We now have


f (x) =

where a0 =


2 ,

a0 X
+
[an cos nx + bn sin nx]
2
n=1
(
0
, n even
an =
,
bn = − n1
− n22 π , n odd

Constructing a table of values gives
n
an
bn

Toc

1
− π2
−1

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2
0
− 21

3 
− π2 312
− 13

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4
0
− 14

5 
− π2 512
− 15

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Solutions to exercises

48

This table of coefficients gives

f (x) =

1
2



i
...
f (x) =


2


4



+





+



 h
−1
sin x +




2
π

2
π

h

cos x + 0 · cos 2x +

1
32

cos 3x +
...


i

h

cos x +

1
32

cos 3x +

1
52

cos 5x +
...


i

and we have found the required series
...


Compare this series with



2
1
1
f (x) =

cos x + 2 cos 3x + 2 cos 5x +
...

2
3
Here, we want to set the cos nx terms to zero (since their coefficients
are 1, 312 , 512 ,
...
Note also that f ( π2 ) = π2
This gives
π
2

=


4




2
π


cos π2 +

1
32


sin π2 +

1
2

Toc

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cos 3 π2 +

sin 2 π2 +
II

1
3

1
52


cos 5 π2 +
...


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Solutions to exercises

50

and
π
2

=


4

2
π



[0 + 0 + 0 +
...


then
π
2

=


4

− 1−

1
3

+

1
5



1
7

1−

1
3

+

1
5



1
7

+
...
=

π
4,

(ii)

π2
8


+
...


To show that
=1+

1
32

+

1
52

+

1
72

+
...
= 1 + 2 + 2 + 2 +
...
e
...

The graph of f (x) shows a discontinuity (a “vertical jump”) at x = 0
The Fourier series converges to a value that is half-way between the
two values of f (x) around this discontinuity
...
e
...

4
π
3
5
7


1
1
− sin 0 + sin 0 + sin 0 +
...
− [0 + 0 + 0 +
...


...

32
52
72
1
1
1
1 + 2 + 2 + 2 +
...

f (x) = x2 , over the interval 0 < x < 2π and has period 2π
a) Sketch a graph of f (x) in the interval 0 < x < 4π

π

f(x )

0

Toc

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x

Solutions to exercises

54

b) Fourier series representation of f (x)
STEP ONE

a0

i
...
a0

Toc

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1
π

Z

Z

=

1
π

=

1
π

=

1
π

=



f (x) dx
0


x
dx
2
0
 2 2π
x
4 0


(2π)2
−0
4

= π
...
e
...

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Solutions to exercises

56

STEP THREE

bn

=
=
=

1
π

Z



f (x) sin nx dx =
0

1
π

Z
0



x
2

sin nx dx



1


Z

1


( 
2π Z 2π 
 )
− cos nx
− cos nx
x

dx
n
n
0
0
|
{z
}

1


(

x sin nx dx
0

using integration by parts

=

−2π
cos(n2π)
2πn
1
= − cos(2nπ)
n
1
= −
, since 2n is even (see Trig)
n
Toc
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=

i
...
bn

)
1
1
(−2π cos n2π + 0) + · 0 , see Trig
n
n

Solutions to exercises

57

We now have


a0 X
f (x) =
+
[an cos nx + bn sin nx]
2
n=1
where a0 = π, an = 0, bn = − n1
These Fourier coefficients give

f (x)

=

i
...
f (x)

=

Toc


∞ 
π X
1
+
0 − sin nx
2 n=1
n


π
1
1
− sin x + sin 2x + sin 3x +
...


and

π
=
4
π
=
4


1 1 1 1
1 − + − + −
...
e
...
=
3 5 7 9

Toc



II



π
1
1
− 1 + 0 − + 0 + + 0 −
...

2
3 5 7 9
π
4
π

...


π−x , 0f (x) =
0
, π < x < 2π, and has period 2π
a) Sketch a graph of f (x) in the interval −2π < x < 2π

f(x )
π

−2π

Toc

−π

JJ

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II

π

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Solutions to exercises

60

b) Fourier series representation of f (x)
STEP ONE

a0

=

=

i
...
a0

Toc

1
π

Z

1
π

Z

f (x) dx
0
π

1
(π − x) dx +
π
0


1
πx − x2 + 0
2
0


2
π
π2 −
−0
2

=

1
π

=

1
π

=

π

...
e
...
e
...
e
...

n
Toc
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=

i
...
bn

1
π

1
π

h

Solutions to exercises

In summary, a0 =

π
2

63

and a table of other Fourier cofficients is

n
an =

2
πn2

bn =

1
n

∴ f (x) =

(when n is odd)

1

2

3

4

5

2
π

0

2 1
π 32

0

2 1
π 52

1

1
2

1
3

1
4

1
5


X
a0
+
[an cos nx + bn sin nx]
2
n=1

π
2
2 1
2 1
+ cos x +
cos 3x +
cos 5x +
...

2
3
4


π
2
1
1
i
...
f (x) =
+
cos x + 2 cos 3x + 2 cos 5x +
...

2
3
4
Toc
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=

Solutions to exercises

64
π2
8

c) To show that

=1+

1
32

+

1
52

+
...


...

32
52
1
1
sin 0 + sin 0 + sin 0 +
...
+ 0
4
π
3
5


2
1
1
1 + 2 + 2 +
...

3
5
Return to Exercise 5

2
π

II

cos 0 +

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Solutions to exercises

65

Exercise 6
...
e
...


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Solutions to exercises

67

STEP TWO

an

=
=
=

Z
1 π
f (x) cos nx dx
π −π
Z π
1
x cos nx dx
π −π
(

 )
Z π 
1
sin nx
sin nx
x

dx
π
n
n
−π
−π
|
{z
}
using integration by parts


Z
1 1
1 π
(π sin nπ − (−π) sin(−nπ)) −
sin nx dx
π n
n −π


1 1
1
(0 − 0) − · 0 ,
π n
n
Z
since sin nπ = 0 and
sin nx dx = 0,


i
...
an

=
=



i
...
an

=

0
...
e
...

n
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68

Solutions to exercises

69

We thus have
f (x)

=


i
a0 X h
an cos nx + bn sin nx
+
2
n=1

with a0 = 0, an = 0, bn = − n2 (−1)n
and
n

1

2

bn

2 −1

3
2
3

Therefore
f (x)
i
...
f (x)

= b1 sin x + b2 sin 2x + b3 sin 3x +
...

2
3

and we have found the required Fourier series
...


Setting x = π2 gives f (x) = π2 and


π
π 1
2π 1
3π 1
4π 1

= 2 sin − sin
+ sin
− sin
+ sin

...
e
...

3
5
7


1 1 1
2 1 − + − +
...

3 5 7
Return to Exercise 6

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71

Exercise 7
...
e
...

3

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73

STEP TWO

an

=
=
=

Z
1 π
f (x) cos nx dx
π −π
Z π
1
x2 cos nx dx
π −π
(


 )
Z π
1
sin
nx
sin
nx
2x
x2

dx
π
n
n
−π
−π
|
{z
}
using integration by parts

=

=
=

)
Z
 2 π
1 2
2
x sin nx dx
π sin nπ − π sin(−nπ) −
n
n −π
)
(
Z
1 1
2 π
x sin nx dx , see Trig
(0 − 0) −
π n
n −π
Z π
−2
x sin nx dx
nπ −π
1
π

(

Toc

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i
...
an

74

−2


( 
π
 )
Z π 
− cos nx
− cos nx
x

dx
n
n
−π
−π
|
{z
}

=

−2


(

=

−2


=

−2


=

−2


=

using integration by parts again

Toc

)
Z
1
1 π
π
− [x cos nx]−π +
cos nx dx
n
n −π
)
(


1
1

π cos nπ − (−π) cos(−nπ) + · 0
n
n
(
)


1

π(−1)n + π(−1)n
n
(
)
−2π
(−1)n
n

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i
...
an

75

(

=

−2


=

+4π
(−1)n
πn2

=

4
(−1)n
n2

(
i
...
an =



(−1)n
n

4
n2

, n even

−4
n2

, n odd
...
e
...
e
...


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78


a0 X
+
[an cos nx + bn sin nx]
2
n=1
(
4
, n even
2π 2
n2
a0 = 3 ,
an =
,
−4
, n odd
n2
∴ f (x) =

where

n
an
1
i
...
f (x) =
2



2π 2
3

1

2

−4(1) 4


1
22

3


−4

bn = 0

4
1
32



4

1
42





1
1
1
− 4 cos x − 2 cos 2x + 2 cos 3x − 2 cos 4x
...
]


π2
1
1
1
i
...
f (x) =
− 4 cos x − 2 cos 2x + 2 cos 3x − 2 cos 4x +
...
,
(
1 , n even
use the fact that cos nπ =
−1 , n odd
c) To show that

cos x −

1
22

cos 2x +

1
32

cos 3x −

1
42

cos 4x +
...


1
32

· (−1) −

i
...


i
...


(−1) −

i
...


−1 −

1
22

· (1) +
1
22

1
32





1
42

· (1) +
...




1
1
1
= −1 · 1 + 2 + 2 + 2 +
...

Setting x = π in the Fourier series thus gives


π2
1
1
1
2
π =
− 4 cos π − 2 cos 2π + 2 cos 3π − 2 cos 4π +
...

3
2
3
4


π2
1
1
1
2
+ 4 1 + 2 + 2 + 2 +
...

3
2
3
4
π2
1
1
1
i
...

= 1 + 2 + 2 + 2 +
Title: Fourier Series Tutorial
Description: Well comprehensive notes on Fourier Series Tutorial