Expanding a function into a Fourier series involves expressing it as a sum of sine and cosine functions. Itβs essential to use the right series based on if the function is even or odd:
- Even Function: Use only cosine terms.
- Odd Function: Use only sine terms.
For our function, after classifying it (either even or odd), we choose the appropriate form:For an even function: \[ f(x) = a_0 + \ \text{sum of} \ a_n \ \text{cosine terms,} \ \]where coefficients are calculated by: \[ a_0 = \frac{1}{\text{period}} \ \text{integral over one period}\f(x) dx \]\[ a_n = \frac{2}{\text{period}} \ \text{integral over one period}\f(x) \ \text{cos}(nx) dx \]For an odd function: \[ f(x) = \ \text{sum of} \ b_n \ \text{sine terms,} \ \]where coefficients are calculated by: \[ b_n = \frac{2}{\text{period}} \ \text{integral over one period}\f(x) \ \text{sin}(nx) dx \]Lastly, integrate over the given intervals to find these coefficients. Once obtained, sum the series to represent your function accurately.