1) Fourier series and integrals are used to represent periodic functions as an infinite sum or integral of sines and cosines. They are useful for solving differential equations.
2) The Fourier series of a periodic function f(x) with period T is the sum of its coefficients multiplied by sines and cosines of integer multiples of x/T. The coefficients are calculated using integrals involving f(x).
3) Half range expansions like half range cosines (HRC) and half range sines (HRS) are used when f(x) is defined on a finite interval, by extending it to a periodic function on the entire real line.