Periodic function

In mathematics, a periodic function is a function that repeats its values after some definite period has been added to its independent variable. Everyday examples are seen when the variable is time; for instance the hands of a clock or the phases of the moon show periodic behaviour. Periodic motion is motion in which the position(s) of the system are expressible as periodic functions, all with the same period.

Related Topics:
Mathematics - Function - Clock - Moon

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For a function on the real numbers or on the integers, that means that the entire graph can be formed from copies of one particular portion, repeated at regular intervals. More explicitly, a function f is periodic with period t if

Related Topics:
Real number - Integer - Graph

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: f(x + t) = f(x)

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for all values of x in the domain of f. An aperiodic function is one that has no such period t > 0.

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A simple example is the function f that gives the "fractional part" of its argument:

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: f( 0.5 ) = f( 1.5 ) = f( 2.5 ) = ... = 0.5.

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If a function f is periodic with period t then for all x in the domain of f and all integers n,

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: f( x + nt ) = f ( x ).

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In the above example, the value of t is 1, since f( x ) = f( x + 1 ) = f( x + 2 ) = ...

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Some named examples are sawtooth wave, square wave and triangle wave.

Related Topics:
Sawtooth wave - Square wave - Triangle wave

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The trigonometric functions, like sine and cosine, are periodic functions, with period 2π. The subject of Fourier series investigates the idea that an 'arbitrary' periodic function is a sum of trigonometric functions with matching periods.

Related Topics:
Trigonometric function - Fourier series

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A function whose domain is the complex numbers can have two incommensurate periods without being constant. The elliptic functions are such functions.

Related Topics:
Complex number - Elliptic function

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("Incommensurate" in this context means not real multiples of each other.)

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