Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Periodic Function

A periodic function is a function that repeats its values in regular periods and intervals. Most significant examples are the trig functions, which repeat over intervals of length 2pi. Periodic functions are used throughout science to describe oscillations,waves,and etc. that exhibit periodicity. Function f is periodic f(x+p)=fx. For all values of x, the constant P is called the period. It has to be positive.P will repeat over intervals of length P,which are referred to as periods.

Ex: the sine function is periodic with 2pi, since sin(x+2pi)=sin(x)
f(x)=sinx has period 2pi,therefore sin(5x)will have period 2pi/5.
Periodic functions can be used for wave splicing.The study of periodic functions can be lead to many real life solutions of real life problems. These problems include planetary motion,sound waves,electric current generation,earthquake waves,and tide movements.

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