Check out the Curves

In mathematics, Fourier analysis is the study of the way general functions may be represented or approximated by
sums of simpler trigonometric functions, namely sines and cosines.

What in the world does that mean?

In simple terms, the following complicated graph on the left

is actually the sum of the two simple graphs on the right.

3sin(3x)

3sin(3x) + 3cos(x)
3cos(x)
Where is Fourier analysis used?

Answer: Everywhere in your life.

(1) To the right is a series of seismograms from

an earthquake. From these graphs, the
location of the earthquake can be
determined as well as the type of
earthquake.

(2) From these seismograms on the left,

an expert can detect background noise that
interferes with the actual signal.

(3) Voice analysis can determine who is on the phone. In the case shown at
the right, the analysis was not allowed into this specific court proceeding.
However, voice analysis is often allowed as evidence.

(4) Below are three more examples of voice analysis using mathematics.

(5) This next example on the

right is why you can afford
to drive your car and
gasoline is not $20 per
gallon. The first graph is
the raw data where the
top-middle of the graph is
the location of a controlled
explosion. On both sides
of the controlled explosion
are 100s of receivers that
pick up the energy from
the explosion after it
travels through the ground
and reflects off layers of rock below the surface. After much analysis, the second graph is produced where the
first break is normalized at time zero (horizontal) and the ground roll frequencies are mathematically removed.
The result is a picture of the rock layers below the surface. This second graph is used to find oil and gas. This is
the study of Geophysics and it is why we still pay less than $4 per gallon for gasoline.

(6) Every time you watch

and listen to TV or use
your earphones or
listen to music in your
car or truck, the
manufacturer used
Fourier analysis to help
produce a better sound
and picture.

There are many more examples how Fourier analysis (the study of sine and cosine curves)
is used in your life.
Right now, we want to explore some simple examples using the website and steps below.
Go to the following website: www.mathopenref.com
Go to TOOLS in the right-hand column and click on General Function Explorer (GFE)
Under the graph on the bottom left, click on Full Screen

We will be setting up the graph so that all the graphs are consistent. Follow the steps in proper order.
Step 4: Set the sliders at the right to the following settings
a = 2 b = 10 c = 5 d = 1

Step 1:
Set the y-axis minimum and maximum at -10 and 10

Step 2:
Set the x-axis minimum and maximum at 0 and 6.28
(Equivalent to 0 and 2 )

Step 3:
Set the lower and upper range limits on variable a at 0 and 5
Set the lower and upper range limits on variable b at 0 and 10
Set the lower and upper range limits on variable c at 0 and 5
Set the lower and upper range limits on variable d at 0 and 10

Step 5: Click on the box Snap to Integers

Step 6:
Under f(x), type in the following
Check the box to show f(x)

Under g(x), type in the following

Check the box to show g(x)
Uncheck the box for showing f(x)

a*sin(b*x)

c*sin(d*x)

Under h(x), type in the following

a*sin(b*x) + c*sin(d*x)
Check the box to show h(x)
Uncheck the boxes for showing f(x) and g(x)

Check the boxes to show g(x) and h(x)

Your goal is to look for patterns. If you look at the graphs you created above and the ones you
will soon create, you will see patterns that involve the amplitude (height of graph) and the
period (number of cycles that occur between 0 and 2 ) of the functions. The patterns that you
discover will help you solve your required problems.
Lets do this again
Set the sliders at the right to the following settings
a = 2 b = 10 c = 3 d = 4
Under f(x), type in the following
Check the box to show f(x)

a*sin(b*x)

Under g(x), type in the following

Check the box to show g(x)

c*sin(d*x)

Uncheck the box for showing f(x)

Under h(x), type in the following
a*sin(b*x) + c*sin(d*x)
Check the box to show h(x)
Uncheck the boxes for showing f(x) and g(x)

Uncheck the box for showing h(x)

Check the boxes to show f(x) and g(x)

Uncheck the box to show for g(x)

Check the box show for f(x) and h(x)

Uncheck the box to show for f(x)

Check the box show for g(x) and h(x)

Lets see what happens when we only adjust one setting at a time.
Set the sliders at the right to the following settings a = 1 b = 1 c = 0 d = 0
Under f(x), type in the following
a*cos(b*x)
Under g(x), type in the following
c*cos(d*x)
Under h(x), type in the following
a*cos(b*x) + c*sin(d*x)
The amplitude (height) of the graph is represented by the number in front (the variable a). Right now it is set at 1.
Adjust the slider to a setting of 2, then 3, then 4, then 5. Notice that the graph gets taller as the variable a increases.
Leave a = 5 while we investigate the variable b.
Lets look at how many times the graph completes a cycle from 0 to 6.28 (2 ). Right now, there is one complete cycle
since we set b = 1.
A complete cycle means that the graph starts at a y-value (5), goes through the opposite y-value (-5) half way through
the cycle, and completes the cycle at the same y-value at which it started (5).
Lets change the b value to 2. The graph now completes 2 complete cycles. The first cycle is between 0 < x < 3.14 ( ).
The second cycle is between 3.14 ( ) < x < 6.28 (2 ).
We can continue to change the b variable and see that the b value determines the period or frequency of the graph.
In the search for oil and gas, geophysicists need to eliminate the frequency around 60 Hz in their data because it hides
the actual data. 60 Hz is the frequency given off by electrical lines that are found overhead.

Now it is time for you to analyze some data.

You will be given a final graph that is the sum of three (3) other graphs.
You will be given 2 of the 3 graphs that add up to the final graph.
Your job will be to find the third graph that adds with the first 2 given graphs to create the final graph.
The unknown third graph could be a sine graph or cosine graph.
The amplitude of the third graph will be between 0 and 5 and the period will be between 0 and 10.
Good luck.

Problem 1

Given:
Given:
Final graph:

f(x) = 2sin(3x)
g(x) = 2cos(x)
h(x) = 2sin(3x) + 2cos(x) + ???????

What is the function of the third unknown graph?

Problem 2

Given:
Given:
Final graph:

f(x) = 2sin(4x)
g(x) = 2sin(3x)
h(x) = 2sin(4x) + 2sin(3x) + ???????

What is the function of the third unknown graph?

Problem 3
Now it is time for a more difficult problem.
You will be given a final graph that is the sum of three (3) other graphs.
You will be given 1 of the 3 graphs that add up to the final graph.
Your job will be to find the other two graphs that adds with the first given graph to create the final graph.
The unknown second and third graph could be a sine graph or cosine graph.
The unknown second and third graph could be added or subtracted to the first graph.
The amplitude of the second and third graphs will be between 0 and 5 and the period will be between 0 and 10.
Good luck.

Given:
Final graph:

f(x) = 3sin(4x)
h(x) = 3sin(4x) ??????? ???????

What are the functions of the second and third unknown graphs?