Thuan Trinh

AM 410
Professor Zirakian

1% EXTRA CREDIT
Problem: Using Simpson’s rule to approximate Fourier series’ coefficients
Solution:

Apply Simpson’s rule to approximate integration calculating a0, an, and bn.
The result is as follow
𝑁−1 𝑁
4
𝑎0 = [ ∑ (2𝑥𝑖 ) + ∑ (𝑥𝑗 )]
3𝑁
𝑖=1,3,5 𝑗=2,4,6

𝑁−1 𝑁
4 2𝜋𝑛𝑡𝑖 2𝜋𝑛𝑡𝑗
𝑎𝑛 = [ ∑ (2𝑥𝑖 cos ) + ∑ (𝑥𝑗 cos )]
3𝑁 𝜏 𝜏
𝑖=1,3,5 𝑗=2,4,6

𝑁−1 𝑁
4 2𝜋𝑛𝑡𝑖 2𝜋𝑛𝑡𝑗
𝑏𝑛 = [ ∑ (2𝑥𝑖 sin ) + ∑ (𝑥𝑗 sin )]
3𝑁 𝜏 𝜏
𝑖=1,3,5 𝑗=2,4,6

With given information of τ= 0.12 sec, N= 12, and ω= 52.36 rad/sec

Using values from the table in the example to calculate coefficients based on above formulas

a0 = 68111.1 b1 = 8094.0
a1 = -26272.4 b2 = 4330.0
a2 = 1611.1 b3 = -3111.1
a3 = -3888.9
Finally, the Fourier series expansion for the pressure fluctuation is:
𝑝(𝑡) = 34055.6 − 26272.4𝑐𝑜𝑠(52.36𝑡) + 8094𝑠𝑖𝑛(52.36𝑡) + 1611.1𝑐𝑜𝑠(104.72𝑡)
+ 4330𝑠𝑖𝑛(104.72𝑡) − 3888.9𝑐𝑜𝑠(157.08𝑡) − 3111.1𝑠𝑖𝑛(157.08𝑡)
Compare result from two numerical methods using Excel plot

The plot of two Fourier series expansion and the data set plot is in Figure 1 below

COMPARATION CHART
Collected Data Trapezoidal Rule Simpson's Rule

80000

70000

60000

50000
PRESSURE (PA)

40000

30000

20000

10000

0
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0.12 0.14
TIME, T (SEC)

Figure 1. Fourier Series Expansion using Numerical Methods

From the graph, there are regions (t = 0 to 0.05 sec) where Simpson’s rule gives a more accurate
approximation than trapezoidal rule. However, trapezoidal rule yields better approximations (t =
0.05 to 0.12 sec). In general, using trapezoidal rule and Simpson’s rule in approximating Fourier
series expansion gives similar accuracy in this example.