Periodic function: Difference between revisions

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imported>Aleksander Stos
m (categories)
imported>Jitse Niesen
(fix sawtooth wave definition)
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[[Image:periodicFunction.png|thumb|270px|Example of a periodic function, with period <math>T</math>.  If you choose any point on the function and then move to the left or right by <math>T</math>, you will find the same value as at the original point.]]
[[Image:periodicFunction.png|thumb|270px|Example of a periodic function, with period <math>T</math>.  If you choose any point on the function and then move to the left or right by <math>T</math>, you will find the same value as at the original point.]]
In [[mathematics]] a [[periodic function]] is a [[function]] that repeats itself after a while, and indefinitely.
In [[mathematics]] a '''periodic function''' is a [[function]] that repeats itself after a while, and indefinitely.
The mathematical definition of this is that <math>f(t)</math> is periodic with [[period]] <math>T</math>
The mathematical definition of this is that <math>f(t)</math> is periodic with [[period]] <math>T</math>
if
if
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A sawtooth wave is a periodic function that can be described by
A sawtooth wave is a periodic function that can be described by


f(x)=\left\{\begin{array}{cl} |x| & -1<x<1 \\ f(x+2) & \mbox{otherwise}\end{array}\right.
: <math> f(x) = \begin{cases} |x-1| & \text{if } -1<x<1, \\ f(x+2) & \text{if } x \le -1, \\ f(x-2) & \text{if } x \ge 1. \end{cases} </math>




[[Category: Mathematics Workgroup]]
[[Category: Mathematics Workgroup]]
[[Category: CZ Live]]
[[Category: CZ Live]]

Revision as of 23:54, 10 September 2007

Example of a periodic function, with period . If you choose any point on the function and then move to the left or right by , you will find the same value as at the original point.

In mathematics a periodic function is a function that repeats itself after a while, and indefinitely. The mathematical definition of this is that is periodic with period if

Common examples of periodic functions are and , which both have period .

A sawtooth wave is a periodic function that can be described by