If a fundamental frequency is f, which of these would be considered a harmonic component?

If a fundamental frequency is f, which of these would be considered a harmonic component?

• A. 2f
• B. f/2
• C. f^2
• D. f^3

Answer: (A)

Harmonic components are frequencies that are integer multiples of the fundamental. If the fundamental is f, the harmonic frequencies include 2f, 3f, 4f, and so on. So 2f is a harmonic because it is exactly twice the fundamental. The others don’t fit: f/2 is a subharmonic (lower than the fundamental), and f^2 or f^3 aren’t multiples of f, so they aren’t harmonics in the usual sense.

Harmonic components are frequencies that are integer multiples of the fundamental. If the fundamental is f, the harmonic frequencies include 2f, 3f, 4f, and so on. So 2f is a harmonic because it is exactly twice the fundamental. The others don’t fit: f/2 is a subharmonic (lower than the fundamental), and f^2 or f^3 aren’t multiples of f, so they aren’t harmonics in the usual sense.