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Word of the day: Fourier Analysis
In general, Fourier analysis is a complicated mathematical approach to studying certain wave-like functions. Think: sine waves.
The process gets its name from French mathematician Joseph Fourier, who lived in the late 18th and early 19th century.
For finance, Fourier analysis comes up as a way to study cycles in a data set. Analysts use the techniques to look at things like inflation patterns, or even movement in the stock market.