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I am currently learning about the concept of convolution between two functions in my university course. The course notes are vague about what convolution is, so I was wondering if anyone could give me a good explanation. I can't seem to grasp other than the fact that it is just a particular integral of two functions. What is the physical meaning of convolution and why is it useful? Thanks a lot.

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    Here's a nice thread on MathOverflow about this: http://mathoverflow.net/questions/5892/what-is-convolution-intuitively2010-10-21

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Have a look here:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070125163821AA5hyRX

...and lots of good answers here:
https://mathoverflow.net/questions/5892/what-is-convolution-intuitively

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    Thanks for the links. From the two, I found the second link to be better for understanding. Now I have some sort of "intuition" for convolutions! =)2010-10-21
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I'd suggest these lectures by professor Osgood here

particularly lectures 8 and 9.

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    this link has expired... I think this is the current location: https://see.stanford.edu/Course/EE2612015-11-19
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The Wikipedia has some nice graphical explanations.

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    Although I've already read the wikipedia entry, thanks for your input =)2010-10-21