Non-sinusoidal waveforms are waveforms that are not pure sine waves. They are usually derived from simple math functions. While a pure sine consists of a single frequency, non-sinusoidal waveforms can be described as containing multiple sine waves of different frequencies. These "component" sine waves may, or may not, be multiples of a fundamental or "lowest" frequency. The frequency and amplitude of each component can be found using a mathematical technique known as Fourier analysis.
Non-sinusoidal waveforms are important in, for example, mathematics, music and electronics.
Examples of non-sinusoidal waveforms include square waves, rectangular waves, ramp waves, triangle waves, spiked waves and sawtooth waves.
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