d'Arbeloff Interactive Math Project

  Fourier Coefficients

Coefficients cn in the complex Fourier series

f(t) = ... + c-2 e-2 i ω t + c-1 e-i ω t + c0 + c1 ei ω t + c2 e2 i ω t + ....

are selected using the windows at bottom. The windows at lower right record the values of |cn| and Arg(cn) by yellow diamonds and struts. The diamond and strut for the chosen value of n are gray. A mouse click on either window at lower right sets the value of n , and also the value of either |cn| or Arg(cn) . Sliders at left also control these values.

The window at lower left records the value of cn on the complex plane, and the value of cn can be chosen by a click and drag on that window.

A slider at lower right selects a value of a parameter φ . The graphing window at the top displays the graph of Re(e-i φ f(t)) . Thus if φ = 0 , the real part of f(t) is displayed, while if φ = π/2, the imaginary part of f(t) is displayed.
Red vertical lines on this window also mark t = -L and t = +L , where L = π / ω , so that 2L is the period. A cursor rollover generates crosshairs and a readout of values of t and x .

A [Reset] key resets all coefficients to zero. Above the [Reset] key is a slider setting the value of ω.

At the top, a [f(t) real] key toggles the restriction on the values of the coefficients making f(t) real valued. When it is selected, c0 is forced to be real and cn and c-n are forced to be conjugate.

 

© 2008 H. Miller and J.-M. Claus