But what is the Fourier Transform? A visual introduction.

Why HN readers recommended it

HN's default recommendation for understanding the Fourier transform intuitively; many say it was the explanation that made it click.

This is a summary from the source dataset, not an endorsement by Hacker News or the video creator.

Video & recommendation details

Creator / channel

3Blue1Brown

Topic

fourier transform

Format

explainer

Level

intro

HN recommenders in dataset

16

HN mentions in dataset

20

Recommendation years in dataset

2018–2025

These counts and years describe the included Hacker News records; they are not YouTube views or the video’s publication date.

From the original HN conversations

Excerpts from the recorded comments. Follow each source for the full comment and surrounding discussion.

• This is an explanation (from the amazing three blue one brown) of the DFT not the DCT, but this was the first thing that ever really made sense to me. It is explained by someone who really knows math incredibly well and is an amazing …

• Dude really needs to subscribe to 3Blue1Brown: [VIDEO] (but anyone interested in stuff like this should be. I guess I'm surprised to see someone like this writing a blog post who isn't regularly checking out that channel)

• I never understood how multiple electrical frequencies can be in a copper cable. I always thought they must merge and therefore it must be impossible to find the right set of original frequencies and their strength. Then I learned about the Fourier transform in this …