# How to prove that $x(2\pi-x)$ is an even function when $0 \le x \le 2 \pi$

I'm trying to find the Fourier Coefficients for $x\cdot(2\pi-x) \rightarrow 0 \le x \le 2\pi$.
This task is an easy one..

$$a_0=\frac{4}{3}\pi^2$$ $$a_n = -\frac{4}{n^2}$$ $$b_n = 0$$

So where is my problem? The task is an exercise from a book and the solution says that f(x) was even so $b_n = 0$ but I'm not able to prove that.

A function is even when $f(-x) = f(x)$. Usually I would do something like f(-3) = f(3). But this doesn't work here. For example: $f(3)=9,85; f(-3)=-27,85$.
Furthermore when I plot the function it doesn't look very symmetric either.

• Periodic continuation. – xbh Sep 5 '18 at 14:34
• Your title does not match your question. If $f (x)= x(2\pi - x) \; [x \in [0,2\pi]]$, then it is even. But for $x(\pi -x)$, it is not. – xbh Sep 5 '18 at 14:38
• Sorry, typo... But how to mathematically prove this? Am I right that f(-x) = -f(x) doesn't work here or am I doing it wrong? – TimSch Sep 5 '18 at 14:41
• $f$ is even iff $f(x) = f(-x)$ for all $x$, not $f(-x) = -f(x)$, which is $\color{red}{\mathrm{odd}}$. – xbh Sep 5 '18 at 14:43
• oh my... yes you're right. But it doesn't solve my problem. I updated the question. – TimSch Sep 5 '18 at 14:47

Fourier series applies to periodic functions. When we are given the function on a specific interval, it is implied that we are dealing with a function whose period equals the length of the interval [in your case, $2\pi$] and the restriction of this periodic function to the given interval is the function given [in your case, $x(2\pi -x)$ on [$0, 2\pi$]]. Check your textbook if you have one.
As I said, if you $2\pi$-periodically continue the function $f$ to $F$ on the whole axis $\mathbb R$, then clearly this $F$ is even [by observing the graph, or check the equation $F(x) = F(-x)$ for all $x$].
Compute the expression of the function $F$. Example. For $x \in [-2\pi, 0]$, $x + 2\pi \in[0, 2\pi]$. Since $F(x) = F(x+2\pi)$ for $x \in [-2\pi, 0]$, we have $$F(x) = (x +2\pi) (2\pi - (x + 2\pi)) = -x (x+2\pi).$$
• Thank you! It makes sense that when I periodically continue this parabola it's symmetric. But I'm stuck at the F(x) = F(-x). How can I represent that periodic function as a formula (because obviously using $x(2 \Pi -x)$ is wrong). Sorry for being so pedantic but I'm feeling that I'm missing something here. – TimSch Sep 5 '18 at 16:14