Even and Odd Functions Even functions are functions for which the left half of the plane

looks like the mirror image of the right half of the plane. Odd functions are functions where the left half of the plane looks like the mirror image of the right half of the plane, only upside-down. Mathematically, we say that a function f(x) is even if f(x)=f(-x) and is odd if f(-x)=-f(x). Some examples: Some even functions Some odd functions

f(x) = |x|

f(x) = 1/x

f(x) = x2

f(x) = x3

f(x) = cos(x)

f(x) = sin(x)

Odd Function

An odd function is a function for which . Examples of odd functions include , , the sine , hyperbolic sine , tangent ,hyperbolic tangent , error function erf , inverse erf , and the Fresnel integrals , and . An even function times an odd function is odd, and the product of two odd functions is even. If an even function is differentiable, then its derivative is an odd function. Similarly, if an odd function is differentiable, then its derivative is an even function. Since an odd function is zero at the origin, it follows that the Maclaurin series of an odd function contains only odd powers.

Even Function

A function

such that , ,

. Examples of even functions include 1 (or, in general, , and .

any constant function),

An even function times an odd function is odd. If an even function is differentiable, then its derivative is an odd function. Similarly, if an odd function is differentiable, then its derivative is an even function. The Maclaurin series of an even function contains only even powers.

Periodic Function

A function is said to be periodic (or, when emphasizing the presence of a single period instead of multiple periods, singly periodic) with period if

for , 2, .... For example, the sine function , illustrated above, is periodic with least period (often simply called "the" period) (as well as with period , , , etc.). The constant function is periodic with any period for all nonzero real numbers , so there is no concept analogous to the least period for constant functions. The following table summarizes the names given to periodic functions based on the number of independent periods they posses. number of periods name 1 2 3 singly periodic function doubly periodic function triply periodic function

Period of a Periodic Function The horizontal distance required for the graph of a periodic function to complete one cycle. Formally, a function f is periodic if there exists a number p such that f(x + p) = f(x) for all x. The smallest possible value of p is the period. The reciprocal of period is frequency.

Periodic Functions

Sine(x) - the most common periodic function with period 2

Tangent(x) - another periodic function with period Overview Periodic functions are functions that repeat over and over, or cycle on a specific period. This is expressed mathematically that A function is periodic if "there exists some number p>0 such that f(x)=f(x+p) for all possible values of x" [1.7,p.112] The fundamental period of a function is the length of a smallest continuous portion of the domain over which the function completes a cycle. That is, it's the smallest length of domain that if you took the function over that length and made an infinite number of copies of it, and laid them end to end, you would have the original function.

For example, let's say that we have some imaginary function f(x) and that f(0.1)=2.35 if f(x) is a periodic function with period 2, then f(2.1)=2.35, because 2.1 is exactly 0.1+2. That is, after 2 units, you're back where you started. This continues up and down the number line because the function is periodic, so: f(4.1)=f(6.1)=f(8.1)=f(-1.9)=f(0.1)=2.35. We can generalize this by saying that for our function f(x), f(2*k+0.1)=2.35, k integer. To further generalize the pattern, we can define an arbitrary periodic function g(x) with period p by saying that: f(p*k+a) = f(a) is true for all a real, k integer. A property of some periodic funtions that cycle within some definite range is that they have an amplitude in addition to a period. The amplitude of a periodic function is the distance between the highest point and the lowest point, divided by two. For example, sin(x) and cos(x) have amplitudes of 1.