# From fourier series to continuous fourier transform

In derivation of fourier transform, we start with the fourier series coefficients. If we let $T \to \infty$, it's common to say the spacing between consecutive fourier coefficient will approach $0$, and we get a continuous spectrum rather than distinct values.

So basically by letting $\omega_0 \to 0$, $n\omega_0$ becomes $\omega$. My question is - why? Isn't it an intederminate form? Maths is not about pure manipulation of symbols, we cannot magically interpret infinitely closely spaced coefficient as a continuous variable $\omega$. No matter how infinitely close to each other these coefficient will be, there will be places "without" them. We'd like to create a function with the domain of all real numbers, right? This is what we mean by "continuous spectrum". But putting these coefficients infinitely close to each other doesn't mean it's a continuous spectrum...

Source and derivation of fourier transform from fourier series

• No, you can just define a Fourier transform directly as $$\hat{f}(x)=\int_{-\infty}^\infty e^{itx}f(t)\,dt$$ for any $f$ such that $\int_{-\infty}^\infty |f(x)|\,dx<\infty$. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourier_transform for (a lot) more details on how this is done rigorously in general. – Adam Hughes Feb 8 '15 at 10:38
• I don't see your point here. Fourier transform is a generalization of fourier series, right? I'm just asking if the transition from FS to FT is rigorous enough, i.e. how to justify the transformation from distinct values of fourier coefficients into a continuous function. It's done by noting that if we let $\omega_0 \to 0$ then we can treat $n \omega_0$ as a continuous variable. My question is - why? Because we can express any real number by $n \omega_0$ as $\omega_0 \to 0$? If so, how can we actually PROVE we really can? – user4205580 Feb 8 '15 at 11:46
• You asked if that was the most rigorous definition we could come up with, so I told you "no, this is." You also asked why that change was justified, but I didn't answer that because it's basically symbol pushing and definitions of how integration works on continuous functions, and it was too tedious for me to post. Though, if you're interested, the link I posted addresses that as well in the definition section if you read it. – Adam Hughes Feb 8 '15 at 11:50
• OK, could answer this one briefly. Can we express every real number as $n \Delta\omega$, where $n$ is an integer and $\Delta \omega \to 0$? If yes, why? – user4205580 Feb 8 '15 at 12:03
• That's not a well-defined question: if $\Delta\omega\to 0$ then it isn't fixed, so neither is $n\Delta\omega$ hence it cannot be equal to a number since numbers don't change. – Adam Hughes Feb 8 '15 at 12:06