Past exam of the mathematics course of the year 1 of the natural sciences course of the University of Cambridge / 2024 / Paper 2 / 18 / c / i / Solution

The function is an odd function, so $a_0=a_n=0$. Here $L=1$, and the Fourier coefficients areWrite $k=n\pi$. One integration by parts has zero endpoint terms because $x(1-x)$ vanishes at both endpoints:A second integration by parts givesTherefore $b_n=4(1-(-1{)}^n)/(n^3{\pi }^3)$, zero for even $n$ and $8/(n^3{\pi }^3)$ for odd $n$. The Fourier series isThe coefficients are absolutely summable, and the periodic function is continuous even at the joins $x=\pm 1$, so the displayed Fourier series represents it everywhere.