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RE Fr. Tom Strikes Again
Subject: RE Fr. Tom Strikes Again
Date: Mon, 12 May 1997 17:45:32 GMT
From: robert.michaels-at-online.sme-dot-org (Robert Michaels)
Organization: Society of Manufacturing Engineers
To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
This is yet another of Fr. Th.'s excellent explanations.
There are a few loose ends and some mixing of that wonderful
fruit salad (apples & oranges) that beg attention, if I may:
T>we start talking about the frequency of a single pulse. Or the
T>MULTIPLE sinewave frequencies that are present in something as
T>mundane as a stupid square wave!!! Or a triangle wave. Or ANY
T>waveform that is not PURELY sinusoidal!!!
T>I *REALLY* don't want to get into Fourier transforms and other such
T>wonderful things. So let's try to keep it *SIMPLE* here. Yeah, I
T>know, any time I try to simplify something so the average joe can
[ ... ]
I believe this should be described as the Fourier =Theorem=
According to which (as Fr. Th. has so well said) any
waveform (however complex) can be shown to be com-
prised of constituent sine-waves.
Much experimental work has borne out this Theorem and
it is among the most important (and useful) principles
of modern electrical engineering.
Fourier =Transforms= are related to the
above, being a method for solving differential eq-
ations (another thing upon which electrical engineering
dearly depends).
A transform, whether Fourier, or LaPlace, or
any of quite a few others -- is a mathematical
expression.
When this expression is used to multiply some
mathematical function, the result is a new
function which is easier to deal with or more
revealing of it's innate nature. (i.e., the
original function is =transformed= in one
which is more tractable).
- - - - - - -
Baron Fourier was a French mathematician and physicist who was
active circa 1860.
Frequently-your, in --
Detroit, USA
Robert Michaels