Questions tagged [periodic-functions]

Questions on periodic functions, functions $f(x)$ that satisfy the identity $f(x+c)=f(x)$, for some nonzero $c$.

A periodic function is a non-constant function that repeats itself in regular intervals, i.e. one satisfying $f(x+c)=f(x)$. The least such $c$ is called the period of $f$.

Graphically, you can see periodicity through translational symmetry. You can see this most easily with trigonometric functions like $\sin$ and $\cos$, which have period $2\pi$. Still, several well-known functions such as Thomae's function which is periodic with period one, cannot accurately be graphed. Other examples of periodic functions include sawtooth and square waves and division with a fixed modulus, e.g. $f(x)= x\bmod 10$.

Periodic functions are perhaps best known through Fourier series. A function that is integrable over an interval of length $L$ can be periodically extended into a Fourier series with period $L$.

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Why does this functional equation follow from periodicity?

I'm reading a proof where they say that given $$\phi(x) = \Gamma(x)\Gamma(1-x)\sin \pi x$$ and $$g(x) = [\log \phi(x)]''$$ then, since $g$ is periodic with period 1, it satisfies the functional equation $$\frac{1}{4} \left(g\left(\frac{x}{2}\right)…
Kashif
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Can the sum of two periodic functions with non-commensurate periods be a periodic function?

If the two functions are continuous this can't happen but what if one of them (or both) is discontinuous. I found an article but it's behind paywalls. I just need an example. Let $A=\{p+q\sqrt{2}: p,q\in\mathbb{Q}\}$ and $B=\{p+q\sqrt{3}:…
user5402
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Period of a function?

I am trying to find out the period of a function but this function is giving me a different answer from what I expected: \begin{equation*} f(x) = |\sin x| + |\cos x| . \end{equation*} I know that to find the period of $\sin$ and $\cos$ we use the…
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Is there exact formula that returns minimal period of a periodic function?

Is there exact formula that returns minimal period of a periodic analytic function? For constant it should return 0, for non-periodic functions - infinity. I only came to the following but it requires taking the smallest branch of a multivalued…
Anixx
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If $f$ and $g$ are periodic functions, is $g \circ f$ periodic?

If $f$ and $g$ are periodic functions, is $g \circ f$ periodic? If it is, what is the period? So I know: $f(x) = f(x + T), T \in R$ $g(x) = g(x + P), P \in R$ I have this question for my homework. I don't know how to start. Intuitively I would say…
Nick
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fundamental period

$f:\Bbb R\to \Bbb R$ is continous and nonconstant function. Let $p$ be a positive real number such that $f(x+p)=f(x) $ for all $x \in \Bbb R$ . Then there exitst $n\in\Bbb N$ such that ${p \over n }=min\{a>0|f(x+a)=f(x), \forall x \in \Bbb R\}$. Is…
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Defining periodic functions?

Consider $f: (a,a+p] \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$. What is the "formula" for the p-periodic function $g$ which has the property that $g(x + np) = f(x)$ for all $x$ in $(a, a+p]$? I am well aware of how it looks like graphically, but in what formal…
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period of the sum and the product of $\sin(ax)$ and $\cos(bx)$

Take the function f(x)=sin(ax)cos(bx) , with a,b>0 . We know that the fundamental period of sin(ax) is p= 2π/a and the fundamental period of cos(bx) is q=2π/b. Suppose there are positive integer n and m such that np=mq=r, with n/m reduced to its…
bobo30
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Is a horizontal line considered periodic?

Given the following definition of a periodic function: $$\exists P, P > 0, f(x + P) = f(x)$$ It is possible to argue that $f(x)=k$ ($k$ being a constant) is a periodic function, since you can define $P$ to be any given constant within the real…
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Extend a function as odd/even periodic function

Let $f$ be the function $f(x) = x^2 + 2 $, where $ 0
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Period of function $x\mapsto (f(x))^2$

If i know, that $f(x)$ is a periodic function with period $T$, how should i prove, that $(f(x))^2$ has period $T_1 : T_1 \le T$. I tried to use periodic function determination: $f(x)=f(x+T)$, but it wont help.
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Determine the common period

Let $V = \mathrm{Vect}( e^{ 4 \pi it } , e^{ 5 \pi i t} , e^{ 6 \pi i t} ) $ and $f \in V$. I want to determine the common period between the functions : $t \mapsto e^{ 4 \pi it } $, $t \mapsto e^{ 5 \pi i t }$ and $t \mapsto e^{ 6 \pi i t}$ ; i.e…
Tohiea
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Help, please. I don't really the concept of "angle" in periodic functions.

I have trouble with it, more specifically with the trig. functions. I know that if you multiply the angle of a function by a constant the period of the function gets divided by it but what is exactly the angle? Is it the rate of change or something…
DZV31
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Period of a product of periodic functions

I came across the following question: Let $f(x)=\cos(nx) \sin(\frac{5x}{n})$ have a period of $3\pi$. Find the integral value of $n$ The traditional way of solving this is to equate $f(x) with f(x+3π)$ and then proceed. However I find this way to be…
DatBoi
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Periodic Function and change of scale

I am confused by a discussion with a colleague. The discussion is about the period of a periodic function. For example, the periodic function $$f(x)=\sin(x), \quad x\in (0,\infty)$$ has period $2\pi$. If I change the scale and build the function,…
Arnaldo
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