Fourier series facts for kids
Joseph Fourier said that it is possible to use sine waves to approximate another function. This is a series in the mathematical sense. This theory can be generalized to the Fourier transform. Mathematical analysis of these functions is called Fourier analysis.
In the 18th century, mathematicians such as Euler, Lagrange and Bernoulli already used sinusoids to approximate and model other functions. When Fourier published a work on heat, in 1822, he said that such approximations exist for any such function (that is continuous in the interval). At first, people didn't believe him, and it took almost ten years for a proof (of part of the problem) to appear.
Today, fourier series are used a lot in digital signal processing.
Images for kids
-
Animated plot of the first five successive partial Fourier series
-
Heat distribution in a metal plate, using Fourier's method
-
The atomic orbitals of chemistry are partially described by spherical harmonics, which can be used to produce Fourier series on the sphere.
See also
In Spanish: Serie de Fourier para niños
