Intuitive Understanding of the Fourier Transform and FFTs

Comments · 258

• MA

  @MajorTom-770 · 6 years ago

  This video did an FFT on my brain, increased power, and did the inverse FFT. Now I am transformed.

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• 74

  @74Gee · 4 years ago

  The seconds hand takes 60 seconds, the minutes hand takes an 3600 seconds, and the hours hand takes 43200 seconds to rotate.

  1

• JM

  @jm10oct · 6 years ago

  I'm a student to electrical engeneering on my 3rd year. Only now, AT THIS VERY MOMENT, thanks to this lecture, I truly understand Fourier Transform. Thanks!!! It has been occuping my mind many times.

  3

• AF

  @affilliatedwithChris · 11 years ago

  yes... this is by far the simplest and clearest explanation of DST/FFT. something that is usually approached from a mathematical point of view instead of an intuitive one. i knew someone out there had thought of explaining this from an intuitive angle.  i want to know more people like you. i am now following you on twitter. thanks for sharing

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• PE

  @pepe6666 · 10 years ago

  this is remarkable. of all the videos on fourier transforms this is the only one that actually explained it in a meaningful way. watching this video, i understood how it worked before I even knew I did. i was like holy crap, i understand it.

  27

• HO

  @hoodoooperator.5197 · 4 years ago

  "Take the data and multiply it by circles" - THANK YOU!! Finally someone demystifies this horrendous looking equation :'D Great presentation, will have to watch back a few times.

• EV

  @evilone1351 · 7 years ago

  Brilliantly done! Indeed first video in youtube to explain the FFT ... INTUITIVELY, so the brain of mere mortal is able to comprehend! Thanks!

  4

• SH

  @sheriek4484 · 8 years ago

  I really like this.  I'm an older engineer who last had in-depth contact with Fourier Transforms decades ago.  This is well done and not too mathy.

• BR

  @BruinChang · 2 years ago

  This is a comprehensive overview of discrete Fourier transform, thanks a lot.

  1

• MA

  @mastodans · 8 years ago

  This is the best illustration of how computers can help us visualize and understand mathematics better than math on a page. Thank you for sharing this great lecture.

• XA

  @xakepenok · 9 years ago

  Probably the best explanation of the Fourier Transformation that I have ever seen.

  5

• DA

  @darylmccray215 · 8 years ago (edited)

  Excellent explanation!!!   If you are confused by the "winding clock" description, please just realize that the "clock" is rapidly advancing thru MANY frequencies.  Each measured frequency is a snapshot of that "clock".  If you were to stop that clock, you would see the result for that one frequency (where you happened to stop).  The Fourier Transform calculates the "mutual alignment" of all the circling data.  Mostly, the alignment is poor and the value is low.  When the circling data all converges to a specific unified shape, the resulting score is high.  This means that the FFT result for that specific frequency also goes high.  Furthermore, this means that that frequency is a partial component of your original data (heartbeat, tide distance, etc.)

  1