Foundations of analysis in C. F. Gauss. I: Trigonometric series (Q1182563)

Since the middle of the 18th century, trigonometric series became more and more interesting for mathematicians engaged in the foundations of analysis. Gauss used trigonometric series in his astronomical work, he was familiar with the trigonometric interpolation and the Fast Fourier Transform. Beside this Gauss treated trigonometric series at three different occasions, none of these comments were published. First, in 1880 he made a note in his diary that under special conditions the series \(\sum a_n\cos (A+n\varphi)\) was convergent. Gauss did not prove this statement, therefore the author of the article tries to give a reconstruction asking the reader for another or a better proof. Second, in or after 1847, Gauss discussed the convergence of discontinuous functions in his manuscript book. Like the mathematicians of the 18th century, he called a function discontinuous when it was composed of two kinds of representation, for example \[ f(t) = \begin{cases}\sin t,\quad & 0\leq t \leq 180^ \circ\\ 0,& 180^ \circ \leq t \leq 360^ \circ.\end{cases} \] This was not conform with Cauchy's continuity definition, published in his ``Cours d'analyse'' (1821). Third, among Gauss' left papers there is a note about three pages long, written about 1816 in French which is unusual for Gauss. If there is a periodic series equal to a \(2\pi\)-periodic function, its coefficients are the Fourier coefficients and vice versa. Gauss took it for granted that the series is convergent to a function, Gauss used the expression ``the series has a value''. Gauss also introduced factors similar to those of Poisson, which cause convergence. Beyond this, Gauss tried to define convergence; he planned a publication with the title ``Convergence of series which allow to be developed into periodic functions'' but he was not content with his results. Altogether Gauss' remarks on trigonometric series show that he was more interested in the practical use than in abstract concepts of functions, of continuity or the use of infinitesimals.