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Euler-Fourier Formulas for Coefficients

1822
  • Leonhard Euler
  • Jean-Baptiste Joseph Fourier
Mathematician calculating Fourier coefficients in a vintage study room.

(generated image for illustration only)

The coefficients for the Fourier series of a function \(s(x)\) with period \(P\) are calculated using integral formulas. The DC component is \(a_0 = \frac{2}{P} \int_{P} s(x) , dx\). The cosine coefficients are \(a_n = \frac{2}{P} int_{P} s(x) \cos\left(\frac{2pi n x}{P}\right) , dx\), and the sine coefficients are \(b_n = \frac{2}{P} \int_{P} s(x) \sin\left(\frac{2\pi n x}{P}\right) , dx\) for \(n ge 1\).

These formulas, often called the Euler-Fourier formulas, are the mechanism for determining the contribution of each harmonic to the overall periodic function. They are derived by exploiting the orthogonality property of the trigonometric functions. Specifically, the integral of the product of two different sine or cosine functions (or a sine and a cosine) over a full period is zero. For example, \(int_{0}^{P} sin(frac{2pi n x}{P}) cos(frac{2pi m x}{P}) , dx = 0\) for all integers \(n, m\).

To find a specific coefficient, say \(a_k\), one multiplies the entire Fourier series expansion of \(s(x)\) by \(cos(frac{2pi k x}{P})\) and then integrates over the period \(P\). Due to orthogonality, all terms in the infinite sum become zero except for the term involving \(a_k\). This isolates \(a_k\), allowing it to be solved for. The same process is applied with \(sin(frac{2pi k x}{P})\) to find \(b_k\). This analytical method provides the exact amplitudes needed to reconstruct the original function from its sinusoidal components, effectively transforming the function from the time domain to the frequency domain.

UNESCO Nomenclature: 1201
– Algebra

Type

Abstract System

Disruption

Foundational

Usage

Widespread Use

Precursors

  • Leonhard Euler’s work on trigonometric series
  • orthogonality principles of functions
  • integral calculus developed by Newton and Leibniz
  • Daniel Bernoulli’s solution to the wave equation

Applications

  • digital signal processing (dsp)
  • image compression (jpeg)
  • audio synthesis
  • solving differential equations
  • spectral analysis

Patents:

NA

Potential Innovations Ideas

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Related to: Fourier coefficients, Euler-Fourier formulas, orthogonality, integral, harmonic analysis, spectral components, DC component, sine, cosine, frequency domain.

Historical Context

Euler-Fourier Formulas for Coefficients

1780
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1777
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1822
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1850
1854

(if date is unknown or not relevant, e.g. "fluid mechanics", a rounded estimation of its notable emergence is provided)

Related Invention, Innovation & Technical Principles

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