Finding the fundamental period of -6\cos(5\pi x) I am trying to find the fundamental perio

Duncan Reed

Duncan Reed

Answered question

2022-01-25

Finding the fundamental period of 6cos(5πx)
I am trying to find the fundamental period of f(x)=6cos(5πx). I know a periodic function satisfies f(x)=f(x+p).
I know that cos(x)'s periodicity is 2π as cos(x+2π)=cos(x) so I just assumed that 6cos(5π1+2π)=6cos(5π), which it is but apparently this is not correct for the fundamental period?

Answer & Explanation

caoireoilns

caoireoilns

Beginner2022-01-26Added 12 answers

Another way of thinking of the periodicity is this:
Let f(x)=cos(x). It is easy to show that f(x)=f(x+2πn)  for  nN. In addition, f(x)=f(x+2πn). Thinking about this problem whilst considering the derivative (rate of change) will show you that the period will involve an additional factor of 5 i.e. cos(5πx) will oscillate more rapidly than cos(x), leading to a smaller period. As a note, the constant out front (−6) will only change the scale of the function, not the period.
You can also consider cos(x) has a period of 2π, meaning the length in x required for the cos(x) waveform to complete one "iteration". With an argument of 5πx, what value (length) of x will make the overall argument 2π?
5πx=2πx=25

Do you have a similar question?

Recalculate according to your conditions!

Ask your question.
Get an expert answer.

Let our experts help you. Answer in as fast as 15 minutes.

Didn't find what you were looking for?