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ScienceQuiet 6d · day 10

XKCD comic on Fourier series sparks recognition among mathematicians

A recent XKCD strip about Fourier approximations and the Gibbs phenomenon draws praise from those familiar with the mathematical concept.

newest coverage 5d agosummary written 6d ago5 pieces50 likes & upvotes6 comments MastodonLobstersHacker News

What to know

  • XKCD comic illustrates the Gibbs phenomenon—the mathematical property where overshoots at discontinuities don't diminish with more Fourier terms, but concentrate at corners.
  • The comic resonates with those experienced in Fourier analysis, generating recognition across technical communities.
  • The post circulated on Lobsters and Hacker News in early November 2026.

XKCD Comic creator

XKCD comic on Fourier series sparks recognition among mathematicians
math

How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump posts

Peak 1 piece in 3h at Oct 29, 8 PM; 5 pieces over 10 days (5 posts) Oct 29, 8 PM — 1 piece · 1 post — Mastodon 1Oct 29, 11 PM — quietOct 30, 2 AM — quietOct 30, 5 AM — quietOct 30, 8 AM — quietOct 30, 11 AM — quietOct 30, 2 PM — quietOct 30, 5 PM — quietOct 30, 8 PM — quietOct 30, 11 PM — quietOct 31, 2 AM — quietOct 31, 5 AM — quietOct 31, 8 AM — quietOct 31, 11 AM — quietOct 31, 2 PM — quietOct 31, 5 PM — quietOct 31, 8 PM — quietOct 31, 11 PM — quietNov 1, 1 AM — quietNov 1, 4 AM — 1 piece · 1 post — Lobsters 1Nov 1, 7 AM — quietNov 1, 10 AM — 1 piece · 1 post — Hacker News 1Nov 1, 1 PM — quietNov 1, 4 PM — quietNov 1, 7 PM — quietNov 1, 10 PM — quietNov 2, 1 AM — quietNov 2, 4 AM — quietNov 2, 7 AM — quietNov 2, 10 AM — quietNov 2, 1 PM — 1 piece · 1 post — Hacker News 1Nov 2, 4 PM — quietNov 2, 7 PM — quietNov 2, 10 PM — quietNov 3, 1 AM — quietNov 3, 4 AM — quietNov 3, 7 AM — quietNov 3, 10 AM — quietNov 3, 1 PM — quietNov 3, 4 PM — quietNov 3, 7 PM — quietNov 3, 10 PM — quietNov 4, 1 AM — quietNov 4, 4 AM — quietNov 4, 7 AM — quietNov 4, 10 AM — quietNov 4, 1 PM — 1 piece · 1 post — Hacker News 1Nov 4, 4 PM — quietNov 4, 7 PM — quietNov 4, 10 PM — quietNov 5, 1 AM — quietNov 5, 4 AM — quietNov 5, 7 AM — quietNov 5, 10 AM — quietNov 5, 1 PM — quietNov 5, 4 PM — quietNov 5, 7 PM — quietNov 5, 10 PM — quietNov 6, 1 AM — quietNov 6, 4 AM — quietNov 6, 7 AM — quietNov 6, 10 AM — quietNov 6, 1 PM — quietNov 6, 4 PM — quietNov 6, 7 PM — quietNov 6, 10 PM — quietYesterday, 1 AM — quietYesterday, 4 AM — quietYesterday, 7 AM — quietYesterday, 10 AM — quietYesterday, 1 PM — quietYesterday, 4 PM — quietYesterday, 7 PM — quietYesterday, 10 PM — quietToday, 1 AM — quietToday, 4 AM — quietToday, 7 AM — quiet 12
Oct 30Oct 31Nov 1Nov 2Nov 3Nov 4Nov 5Nov 6yesterdaynow · 9:56 AM ET
  1. 2

    Mathematicians share recognition of the comic's subject matter

    The comic generates discussion among those familiar with Fourier analysis, with observers noting three typical reactions: recognition, followed by realization of the Gibbs phenomenon's behavior, then appreciation of the mathematical insight.

  2. 1 day quiet
  3. 1

    XKCD publishes comic on Fourier series and Gibbs phenomenon

    XKCD releases a comic addressing Fourier series approximations and the Gibbs phenomenon, the mathematical phenomenon where overshoots persist at discontinuities even as more terms are added to the series expansion.

    “If you've done Fourier series approximations of functions, you had three reactions to today's XKCD comic: First, of course, was a smile of recognition. Then came a 'wait a minute' as you realized that the Gibbs phenomenon doesn't get smaller as you add more terms to the Fourier expansion; it just concentrates itself at the corners.”
    — Analysis on Lean Crew · source
    • drdrang@fosstodon.org

      ☃️ Sorry about this. https:// leancrew.com/all-this/2026/10/ xkcd-and-fourier/

      drdrang@fosstodon.orgMastodon9d agoview on Mastodon ↗