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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Boundedness of periodic functions

Recently I was reading answers to a question of functional equations here, and I saw a claim on a property of periodic functions which was strange to me: we then have $f$ to be periodic with period $f(0)$. This means $f(n)$ can take only finitely…
Hamid Reza Ebrahimi
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Why is a sum of an even and a periodic functions and $f(x)=x$ definitely not even?

$f(x)$ is defined on $\mathbb{R}$, not constant and even. $g(x)$ is defined on $\mathbb{R}$, not constant and periodic. Why is $f(x) + g(x) + x$ then not even? It is known that a sum of an even and an odd functions ($f(x) + x$) is neither odd nor…
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problem in Functions and Periodicity

What is the period of $f(x+\frac{1}{2}) +f(x-\frac{1}{2})=f(x)$ ? I tried substituting $x=x+\frac{1}{2}$ and $x=x-\frac{1}{2}$ but that didn't get me anywhere. According to the standard procedures , we are not allowed to directly substitute $x$ as…
Keith
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Layperson's explanation of Euler's formula

A few weeks back I asked a question which lead to Euler's formula being brought up. I don't have the mathematical background to fully appreciate it's purported mathematical beauty. Just yesterday I wondered about the graph of the function $(-1)^x$…
theideasmith
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Examples of periodic functions without sin or cos in their formulations?

I'm trying to find a function f(x) such that NCspline (in Matlab) provides a better interpolation than does the Lagrange polynomial. But this function cannot be a linear combination of the sine and cosine functions (with real coefficients). So, I'm…
David
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prove that $f$ periodic, continuous, $f(x+r)=f(x)+c$ cannot be satisfied with $r\ne 0$ and $c\ne 0$

Prove that if $f$ is periodic, continuous, there are no $r\ne 0$ and $c\ne 0$ constants satisfying $f(x+r)=f(x)+c$ (for all $x$) Let's assume that exist $r$ and $c$ satisfying $f(x+r)=f(x)+c$. Thus, by induction, $f(x+ nr)=f(x)+nc$ , where $n \in…
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how can we show an antiperiodic function?

How can we graphically show an anti-periodic function? I can't imagine. Maybe I have got no imagination...!! for example we can show the sin and cos or other periodic functions on the graphs. is it the possible for an anti-periodic one?
P.A.M
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Determining if a sum of trig functions is periodic

Given the discrete-time function $f[n] = 2\cos(\frac{\pi}{4}n) + \sin(\frac{\pi}{8}n) - 2\cos(\frac{\pi}{2}n + \frac{\pi}{6})$ How can I show that the function is periodic? I know that a discrete time function is periodic if $x[n] = x[n+N]$ where N…
Daniel B.
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Period of hypocycloid

Hypocycloid is defined by the following parametric equations: $$x(\phi) = (a - b) \cos(\phi) + b \cos\big(\dfrac {a - b} b \phi\big)\\ y(\phi) = (a - b) \sin(\phi) - b \sin\big(\dfrac {a - b} b \phi\big)$$ where $a$ and $b$ are radii of the fixed…
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Turn aperiodic function to periodic

I got a quick question regarding aperiodic functions. Let's suppose I have an aperiodic function $$ f(x) = \left\{ \begin{array}{l l} \exp(-t) & \quad -2\leq t \leq2,\\ 0 & \quad \text{anywhere else,} \end{array} \right. $$ and I want…
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Help with the system of 13 equations

Homework from electronics class, but since it looks like a math problem to me i decided to look for help here. I am given this composite periodic signal that has 6 harmonics: $$V(t)=V_0+\sum_{k=1}^6V_k\;cos(k\ \omega t+\phi_k)$$ I also have a table…
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Problem about the relationship of 2 periodic functions

If $f,\varphi$ are two even periodic functions with $T=2$. Suppose $$f(x) = x(2-x),\quad \varphi(x) = x,\quad x\in [0,1]$$ prove that: $$f(x)=\sum\limits_{n=0}^\infty\frac{1}{2^{2n}}\varphi(2^nx),\quad\forall x\in\mathbb{R}.$$ I wonder if I need to…
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Period of a trigonometric function

Is the function $\frac{\sqrt{\sin(x)}}{\cos(x)}$ periodic? If that is the case, what are the steps to calculate the period?
rik
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How to interpret the periodic summation formula?

The formula stated here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Periodic_summation is not clear for me what the point of such a formula is and if i interpret it correctly. For me, the only "natural" i.e. direct interpretation this infinite sum, for a given…
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Name for points with same value in a periodic function

I'm looking for a name to describe the points of the same value of a periodic function -- you draw a horizontal line across a periodic function and you get a set of values. That is, a name for _all $x$ points where $\sin(x)=0$, for example. That…
bobobobo
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