What is the period of #f(t)=sin( t /2 )+ cos( (13t)/24 ) #?

1 Answer
Apr 25, 2016

#52pi#

Explanation:

The period of both sin kt and cos kt is #(2pi)/k#.

So, separately, the periods of the two terms in f(t) are #4pi and (48/13)pi#.

For the sum, the compounded period is given by #L(4pi)=M((48/13)pi)#, making the common value as the least integer multiple of #pi#.

L=13 and M=1. The common value = #52pi#;

Check: #f(t+52pi)=sin ((1/2)(t+52pi))+cos ((24/13)(t+52pi))#
#=sin(26pi+t/2)+cos(96pi+(24/13)t)#
#=sin(t/2)+cos(24/13t)=f(t)#..