Fourier Series Question Bank

1. Expand 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 cos 𝑥 , −𝜋 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝜋 in a Fourier series.

2. Obtain a series of sines and cosines of multiples of 𝑥 which represents the full-wave
rectifier function 𝑓(𝑥) = | sin 𝑥 | in − 𝜋 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝜋.

0, − 𝜋 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 0
3. For the half-wave rectifier function 𝑓(𝑥) = { , prove that
sin 𝑥, 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝜋
1 sin 𝑥 2 cos 2𝑛𝑥
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝜋 + − 𝜋 ∑∞
𝑛=1 . Hence show that
2 4𝑛2 −1

1 1 1 1
(a) + 3.5 + 5.7 + ⋯ = 2.
1.3

1 1 1 1
(b) − 3.5 + 5.7 − ⋯ ∞ = 4 (𝜋 − 2) .
1.3

𝜋 + 2𝑥, −𝜋 ≤ 𝑥 < 0
4. Draw the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = { with 𝑓(𝑥 + 2𝜋) = 𝑓(𝑥). Obtain the
𝜋 − 2𝑥, 0 < 𝑥 ≤ 𝜋
1 1 1 𝜋2
Fourier Series and hence deduce that + 32 + 52 + ⋯ = .
12 8

−𝑘, −𝜋 ≤ 𝑥 < 0
5. Sketch the graph of the square wave function 𝑓(𝑥) = { with
𝑘, 0 < 𝑥 ≤ 𝜋
1 1 1 1 𝜋
𝑓(𝑥 + 2𝜋) = 𝑓(𝑥). Obtain its Fourier Series and hence deduce that − + − +⋯= .
1 3 5 7 4

6. Expand the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 𝑥 2 , −𝜋 < 𝑥 < 𝜋, in a Fourier series and hence show
1 1 1 1 𝜋2
that + 22 + 32 + 42 + ⋯ = .
12 6

1 1
−𝑥, 0<𝑥 <2
4
7. Find the Half Range Sine Series of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = { 3 1 .
𝑥 − 4, <𝑥<1
2

How would the function 𝑓(𝑥) be defined at the point 𝑥 = 0 for convergence?

8. Find the Half Range Cosine series of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 − 1)2 , 0 < 𝑥 < 1. Hence
show that
1 1 1 π2
(i) + 22 + 32 + ⋯ = .
12 6

1 1 1 π2
(ii) + 32 + 52 + ⋯ = .
12 8
 16 πx 1 3πx 1 5πx
9. Prove that in 0 < 𝑥 < 4 , we have 𝑥 = 2 − π2 (𝑐𝑜𝑠 + 32 cos + 52 cos + ⋯ ).
4 4 4

1 𝜋4
Hence, using Parseval’s identity, prove that ∑ 𝑛4 = , 𝑛 = 1, 3, 5, …
96

10. Find the Fourier Sine and Cosine series of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥(π − 𝑥), 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ π.

Hence, use Parseval’s identity, wherever required, to deduce that:

1 π4
(i) ∑∞
𝑛=1 = ,
𝑛4 90

1 1 1 1 𝜋3
(ii) 3
− 3
+ 3
− 3
+⋯= ,
1 3 5 7 32

1 π6
(iii) ∑∞
𝑛=1 = ,
(2𝑛−1)6 960

1 π6
(iv) ∑∞
𝑛=1 = .
𝑛6 945