Innumeracy: The meaning of the numbers we use [Testing Ourselves]

Abstract

Frequency analysis is one of the key issues in engineering. Numerically, discrete or fast Fourier transformations (DETs orFFTs) are used to obtain the frequency content of a time signal. These are totally different from the mathematical Fourier transform, based on infinitely extended time- or frequency-domain integrations. Remember, once you use a computer, you enter into a non-physical, unrealistic, synthetic environment.