Periodic Function These are the function, whose value repeats after a fixed constant interval called period,

and which makes a class of a widely used function. A function f of x, such that f(T + x) = f(x) x domain of f.

The least positive real value of T for, which above relation is true, is called the fundamental period or just the period of the function. e.g. for f(x) = sin x x R. We know that sin (2 + x) = sin x, x R so f(x) = sin x is a periodic function with a period of 2 radians. Rules for finding the period of the periodic functions (i) If f(x) is periodic with period p, then a f(x) + b, where a, b R (a0) is also a periodic function with period p. (ii) If f(x) is periodic with period, then f(ax + b), wher e a R -{0} and b R, is also periodic with period p/|a|. (iii) let us suppose that f(x) is periodic with period p and g(x) is periodic with period q. Let r be the L.C.M. of p and q, if it exists. (a) If f(x) and g(x) cannot be interchanged by adding a least positive number k, then r is the period of f(x) + g(x). (b) If f(x) and g(x) can be interchanged by adding a least positive number k and if k < r, then k is the period of f(x) + g(x). Otherwise r is the period. Illustration: Find the period of the following functions (i) f(x) = sinx + {x} (ii) f(x) = tan(x/3) + sin 2x. (iii) f(x) = |sinx| + |cosx| (iv) f(x) = ((1+sin x)(1+sec x))/((1+cos x)(1+cosec x)) Solution(i) Here f(x) = sinx + {x} Period of sinx is 2p and that of {x} is 1. But the L.C.M. of 2p and 1 does not exist. Hence sinx + {x} is not periodic. (ii) Here f(x) = tanx/3 + sin2x. Here tan(x/3). Here tan(x/3) is periodic with period 3p and sin2x is periodic with period p. Hence f(x) will be periodic with period 3p. (iii) Here f(x) = |sinx| + |cosx|