Tell me more ×
Mathematics Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for people studying math at any level and professionals in related fields. It's 100% free, no registration required.

I would like to write the $2\pi$-periodic function $f(x)=e^{\cos(x^2)}\; $ $(0 \leq x \leq 2\pi)\;$ as a Fourier series, but I am unable to carry out the integration. In order to write it as a Fourier series, I try to compute the Fourier coefficients

$$c_n = \frac{1}{2\pi} \int_0^{2 \pi} e^{\cos(x^2)} e^{-inx}dx. $$

This is not a homework problem. However, it is taken from a set of problems in a course I took a couple of years ago. I am trying to refresh my skills in Fourier analysis.

Thanks in advance!

share|improve this question
Even for $n=0$, this does not look like a function with an elementary function antiderivative. There might be some special trick given the limits of intergration. – alex.jordan Jul 21 '12 at 17:59
@alex.jordan WolframAlpha says that $c_1 = 0$. At the moment I don't see why. – Cocopuffs Jul 21 '12 at 18:24
The "set of problems in a course" presumably does not ask for explicit evaluation of the Fourier coefficients. – GEdgar Jul 21 '12 at 18:25
$c_1=3.4975 - i 0.31199$, approx., according to Maple. Not zero. – GEdgar Jul 21 '12 at 18:31
1  
Wait! This is not a $2\pi$-periodic function: $e^{\cos(x^2)}\neq e^{\cos((x+2\pi)^2)}$. Or do you mean to restrict it to the interval $[0,2\pi]$ and then induce a periodic function? – alex.jordan Jul 21 '12 at 19:23
show 3 more comments

Know someone who can answer? Share a link to this question via email, Google+, Twitter, or Facebook.

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.