An Introduction to Fourier Series and Integrals

Book excerpt: A compact, sophomore-to-senior-level guide, Dr. Seeley's text introduces Fourier series in the way that Joseph Fourier himself used them: as solutions of the heat equation in a disk. Emphasizing the relationship between physics and mathematics, Dr. Seeley focuses on results of greatest significance to modern readers. Starting with a physical problem, Dr. Seeley sets up and analyzes the mathematical modes, establishes the principal properties, and then proceeds to apply these results and methods to new situations. The chapter on Fourier transforms derives analogs of the results obtained for Fourier series, which the author applies to the analysis of a problem of heat conduction. Numerous computational and theoretical problems appear throughout the text.