1. A stochastic process X(t) can be represented as a series of random variables if it is mean-square periodic. The representation takes the form of a Fourier series using orthogonal functions.
2. For a general stochastic process that is not mean-square periodic, it may still be possible to represent it as a series using a sequence of orthonormal functions. This requires solving the Karhunen-Loeve integral equation to obtain the eigenfunctions.
3. The Karhunen-Loeve representation provides uncorrelated random variables whose variances represent the eigenvalues of the autocorrelation function of the stochastic process. This yields a meaningful finite approximation of the stochastic process.