What is Laplace transform: Definition and 776 Discussions

In mathematics, the Laplace transform, named after its inventor Pierre-Simon Laplace (), is an integral transform that converts a function of a real variable



t


{\displaystyle t}
(often time) to a function of a complex variable



s


{\displaystyle s}
(complex frequency). The transform has many applications in science and engineering because it is a tool for solving differential equations. In particular, it transforms linear differential equations into algebraic equations and convolution into multiplication.For suitable functions f, the Laplace transform is the integral






L


{
f
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(
s
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=



0





f
(
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e


s
t



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.


{\displaystyle {\mathcal {L}}\{f\}(s)=\int _{0}^{\infty }f(t)e^{-st}\,dt.}

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  1. N

    Using Laplace Transform to solve a differential equation

    Homework Statement y" + y = 4δ(t-2π); y(0)=1, y'(0)=0 Homework Equations L[f(t-a) U(t-a)] = e^{-as} L[f(t)] L[δ(t-c)] = e^{-cs} The Attempt at a Solution My answer is: cos(t) + 4U(t-2π)sin(t-2π). When I used Wolframalpha it gave me 4sin(t)U(t-2π) + cos(t)
  2. F

    Laplace transform, sum of dirac delta

    Homework Statement Homework Equations I really wish they existed in my notes! *cry*. All I can think of is that integrating or in other words summing the dirac delta functions for all t, would be infinite? None the less the laplace transform exist since its asked for in the question and i...
  3. chisigma

    MHB A Laplace Transform: Integral Calculation

    On MHF... Integral Caculation ... the user widapol did have some difficulties in the computation of the integral... $\displaystyle \int_{0}^{\infty} \ln^{2} (1+t)\ e^{- s t}\ dt$ (1) ... which of course is the L-Transform of the function $\displaystyle \ln^{2} (1+t)$. Remembering thye basic...
  4. fluidistic

    Calculating the Laplace transform of a Bessel function

    Homework Statement Hi guys! I'm basically stuck at "starting" (ouch!) on the following problem: Using the integral representation of the Bessel function J_0 (x)=\frac{1}{\pi} \int _0 ^\pi \cos ( x\sin \theta ) d \theta, find its Laplace transform. Homework Equations \mathbb{L}...
  5. fluidistic

    Laplace transform of a piecewise function

    Homework Statement I must calculate the Laplace transform of the following function: f(x)=1 for x \in [0,1] \cap [2,3] \cap [4,5] \cap ... , f(x)=0 otherwise. Homework Equations The Laplace transform is \mathbb{L} [f(x)]=\int _0 ^{\infty} e^{-sx}f(x)dx. The Attempt at a Solution...
  6. M

    Laplace transform converge

    ##\mathcal{L}\{f(t)\}=F(s)## \mathcal{L}\{e^{at}\}=\frac{1}{s-a},Re(s)>a \mathcal{L}\{\sin (at)\}=\frac{a}{s^2+a^2}, \quad Re(s)>0 \mathcal{L}\{\cos (at)\}=\frac{s}{s^2+a^2},Re(s)>0 If we look at Euler identity ##e^{ix}=\cos x+i\sin x##, how to get difference converge intervals...
  7. M

    Proving the Convolution Theorem for Laplace Transform

    \mathcal{L}\{f(t)*g(t)\}=F(s)G(s) Is there some relation between F(s)*G(s) and f(t)g(t)? ##*## is convolution.
  8. K

    Simple Laplace Transform Question (Differential Equations Class)

    Homework Statement Laplace Transform teat Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/6449/homeworkhelp.jpg Not sure where I am going wrong. I feel like I did integration by parts incorrectly, because the anser I have boxed is not the...
  9. P

    Laplace Transform Homework: Solving f(t) Piecewise

    Homework Statement f(t) is a piecewise function: {0 0<= t< 1 {t*exp(2t) t = >1Homework Equations F(s)= L{f(t)}The Attempt at a Solution F(s)= L{t*exp(2t)} for this problem I just took the Laplace Transformer directly from the table which is: n!/ (s-a)^(n+1) and after plucking in the...
  10. Y

    Help with inverse Laplace transform.

    I want to perform the inverse of \frac s { [(s+α)^2-β^2](s^2+ω^2)} I know the conventional way is \frac s { [(s+α)^2-β^2](s^2+ω^2)}= \frac{As+B}{[(s+α)^2-β^2]}+\frac{Ds+E}{(s^2+ω^2)} s= (As+B)(s^2+ω^2)+(Ds+E)[(s+α)^2-β^2] \Rightarrow\; A+D=0,\; B+E+2\alpha...
  11. E

    Solving Laplace Transform: 2\int_{0}^{t}f'(u)sin(9(t-u)du +5cos(9t)

    Homework Statement Find f(t) for: 2\int_{0}^{t}f'(u)sin(9(t-u)du +5cos(9t), t\geq0 The Attempt at a Solution F(s)=2\frac{9(sF(s)-f(0))}{s^2+81}+\frac{5s}{s^2+81} At this point i don't know what to do with f(0) since there are no initial conditions. What do I do with it?
  12. C

    Laplace Transform of squared trig functions help?

    now say we have cos^2(3t), how would you go about computing it with the 3t? i can manage cos^2(t) but I'm not sure how to take it that one step further in the link below is what I've managed so far.. SOLVEDI worked it out. If anyone's interested in the future, Just start it off as cos^2(t)...
  13. Y

    Help in Laplace Transform, not homework

    I am trying to do laplace transform of y(t)=e^{-at}\cos (bt)\;. The answer should be: \frac {s+a}{(s+a)^2+b^2} But here is my work, I can't get rid of the -ve sign. I must be too blind to see the obvious, please help: \overline{y(s)}=\int^∞_0 e^{-(s+a)t}\cos (bt) dt\;=\; \frac 1 b...
  14. 4

    Forced response and Laplace transform

    Homework Statement d'^2 (y)/dt + 4 (dy/dt) + 4y = -7(e^(-3t)). Here I need to forced response of this differential equation using laplace transform technique. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I understand the part of converting each term to each laplace, d^2y/dt to...
  15. N

    Coupled set of ODEs and Laplace Transform

    Homework Statement Hi I have a set of five coupled ODE, and I would like to find a solution to the first variable X in the set (the rest I call Y, Z, V, W). The equations are of the form \frac{dX}{dt} = A + BY - CX This isn't homework, but something I been working with for some time. OK, so...
  16. FOIWATER

    Maple Maple issue - inverse laplace transform equation from a basic series RLC circuit

    maple issue -- inverse laplace transform equation from a basic series RLC circuit Pretty simple for some of you I know, but I have a laplace transform equation from a basic series RLC circuit ((sV-v(0))/L+si(0))/(s^2+sR/L+1/LC) = I(s) I want to take the inverse laplace of it, I am given all...
  17. maistral

    What is wrong with my Laplace Transform inversion for y''+13y'-4y = 3exp(-t)?

    I'm inverting this: Y = s2 + 15s + 17 / [(s+1)(s2 + 13s - 4)] I'm using PF expansion, A/(s+1) + Bs + C/(s2 + 13s - 4), I however keep on getting wrong answers, seeing how Runge-Kutta and Taylor approximation disagrees with my final equation. My final equation is...
  18. N

    How do I solve a system of ODE's using Laplace transform?

    Homework Statement Hi I am trying to solve the following system of ODE's by Laplace transforming: x' = 1 + 21y - 6x \\ y' = 6x-53y with the initial conditions x(0)=y(0)=0. Laplace transforming gives me (X and Y denote the Laplace transformed variables) sX = 1 + 21y-6x \\ sY = 6x-53y From...
  19. J

    Inverse Laplace Transform help

    Hi guys :) I'm looking to get a jump start on my uni course and have been going through some topics on my own before classes start in the Fall, I've reached the point of Laplace Transform and Fourier maths - and it's tough! I have a small question on an inverse laplace transform equation in...
  20. F

    Nonlinear differential equation (Laplace transform?)

    Hi, Part of my research, I nondimensionalized an ODE to eventually arrive at this form: sin(τλ) = q^((n+2)/(n+1)) + κq' + q'' where q' = dq/dτ The problem is of course the nonlinear q^n. n is an integer greater than 0. Is there a Laplace transform for this? Or what solutions are there for...
  21. S

    Inverse Laplace transform with unit step function

    Hello again. First off, I wasn't sure how to say this in the title but I'm not taking the inverse Laplace transform of a unit step function. I'm taking the Laplace transform of something that comes out to the unit step function. I have this question, which is a similar version of the...
  22. A

    Is the Uniqueness of the Laplace Transform Affected by Function Form?

    Consider one-sided Laplace transform:$$\mathcal{L} \left \{ h(t) \right \}=\int_{0^-}^{\infty}h(t)e^{-st}dt$$ Q. Is this defined only for the functions of the form f(t)u(t)? If no, then f(t)u(t) and f(t)u(t)+g(t)u(-t-1) are two different functions with the same Laplace transform, and thus...
  23. ElijahRockers

    Laplace Transform of Step Function

    Homework Statement Solve y'' + y = f(t), y(0)=0, y'(0)=1, f(t)= (0 for 0<t<pi) (1 for pi<t<2pi) (0 for t>2pi) The Attempt at a Solution y'' + y = upi(t)-u2pi(t) s2L{y} -sy(0) -y'(0) +L{y} = L{upi(t)} -Lu2pi(t)} L{y}(s2+1) -1 = (e-pi*s/s) -(e-2pi*s/s) L{y} =...
  24. ElijahRockers

    Laplace transform of step function

    Homework Statement Find laplace trasform of g(t) g(t) = 0 for 0<t<1, t^2 for t>1 So this can be re-written as g(t) = t2*u1(t), where u is the unit step function. By using the fact that L(uc(t)f(t-c)) = e-csF(s) i am trying to take the laplace... So in this case, f(t-c) = t2 ... so then does...
  25. P

    Solve Laplace Transform: t{e^{ - t}}u(t - 1)

    Homework Statement Is there an easier way of solving this rather than doing the integral? Find the laplace transform of: t{e^{ - t}}u(t - 1) Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution \int_1^\infty {t{e^{ - t}}} {e^{ - st}}dt = \int_1^\infty {t{e^{ - t(1 + s)}}} dt =...
  26. C

    Laplace transform and fourier transform

    Homework Statement F{f(t)} is the Fourier transform of f(t) and L{f(t)} is the Laplace transform of f(t) why F{f(t)} = L{f(t)} where s = jw in L{f(t)} The Attempt at a Solution I suppose the definition of F{f(t)} is ∫[f(t)e^-jwt]dt where the lower integral limit is -∞...
  27. F

    Laplace transform with heavyside step function

    Homework Statement I need to solve the ODE y''-y = t - tH(t-1); y(0)=y'(0)=0 Homework Equations - The Attempt at a Solution I'm fine with the process of solving the ODE, but I need a little help regarding the first t. From what I understand from lectures, all of the 't' terms need to be in...
  28. R

    Laplace transform and tabular integration

    Homework Statement The Attempt at a Solution I can't get the jump to [e^-st(-s cost bt + b sin bt)]/(s^2+b^2) They say they have to use integration by parts but when e and a trig ratio are involved that requires tabular integration. They're obviously not using tabular...
  29. R

    Understanding Laplace Transform: Step 1 to 2 Difficulty

    Homework Statement The Attempt at a Solution I can understand step 2 to 3, but I can't get step 1 to 2. For simplicity sake we'll just call e^(3-s)t = N since it will = N anyway ultimately. I think the answer should be [N/3-s - 1/(3-s)^2)N - (0 - 1/(3-s)^2)0 The second term...
  30. T

    I have 3 questions which are bessel, half range expression and laplace transform

    the questions are together with this file and my solutions are also attached. hope someone can comment on my solutions. thanks a lot and i hope i won't get any warning any more.
  31. H

    Why can't I substitute a Laplace transform into an integration?

    Hi, I was given the attached question and have given my wrong attempt at the answer. I know how to work the answer out (also shown) but I would like to know why my first attempt is wrong. Many Thanks
  32. H

    Laplace Transform: Solving Hi Everyone - Help Needed

    Hi everybody, can somewone tell me where am i wrong in this solution?(attached here) thank's
  33. A

    Solving a Simple Laplace Transform Equation: Tips for Beginners

    I'm new to Laplace and having slight difficulty with what looks like an obvious equation. I can do basic first and second order equations. Why is it that the seemingly easy equations are always the ones to stump you? Homework Statement \frac{dy}{dx}=-y y=2, x=0, y_{0}=2 Homework...
  34. S

    MHB Using definition of Laplace transform in determining Laplace of a step function

    I have a question that has stumped me a bit, i am not sure how to use the definition to calculate it, i can use the tables, but i don't think that's what is needed. Using the definition of the Laplace transform, determine the Laplace transform of I can do it with the table but i am not sure...
  35. P

    Integral (related to Laplace transform)

    Hi. Homework Statement \int\limits_0^{ + \infty } {\frac{{dt}}{{{e^{st}} \cdot (1 + {e^t})}}} Homework Equations The same as... Laplace\left[ {\frac{1}{{1 + {e^t}}}} \right] The Attempt at a Solution Found no elegant properties related to Laplace transform here. So figured my...
  36. H

    Need HELP with Laplace transform

    So I've been searching on the internet and in my textbook and I can't find a simple enough explanation of the Laplace transform of a product of functions. Is it absolutely necessary to evaluate the integral using different methods or is there an easier way?
  37. T

    Finding Laplace transform of a Differential Equation

    Homework Statement Consider the following initial value problem: y''-6y'-7y=sin(9t) y(0)=-4, y'(0)=-3 I need to solve for L[y(t)]Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution Here are the steps I've taken to solve it: L(y'')-6L(y')-7L(y)=L(sin(9t))...
  38. G

    What Steps Are Involved in Solving Complex Inverse Laplace Transforms?

    Homework Statement Hi all, I'm struggling to find the Inverse Laplace transform of the following function: F(s) = (1+ 4e(-s) - 5e(-3s)) / s(s2 + 11s + 55), where F(s) is a Laplace transform Solution should be in terms of complex exponentials and unit step functions. Homework EquationsThe...
  39. G

    What is the inverse Laplace transform of F(s)?

    Hi all, I'm struggling to find the inverse Laplace transform of the following function: F(s) = (1+ 4exp(-s) - 5exp(-3s)) / s(s^2 + 11s + 55)Any help is appreciated. Thanks
  40. A

    Computing the Inverse Laplace Transform

    Hi, I recently posted another question about a Laplace transform and now have a question about taking the inverse Laplace transform. Again, my professor did not cover this topic as well as I could have hoped for, and so I am stuck on this problem as well. Again, I understand the idea of Laplace...
  41. A

    Master the Laplace Transform with Expert Help | Find Solutions Now!

    Hi, I've been asked to find the Laplace transform of a function and I have not the slightest clue where to begin. My professor derived the basic Laplace transforms in class(sin, cos, delta function, step function, etc), all of which I understood perfectly. However, he never really gave us an...
  42. G

    Solve Laplace Transform for y'' + w^2y = cos(t), y(0) = 1, y'(0) = 0

    Homework Statement y'' + w^2y = cos(t) y(0) = 1 y'(0) = 0 w^2 not equal to 4 Homework Equations Laplace integral, transform via table/memory... Y(s) = F(s) or whatever you like to use The Attempt at a Solution s^2Y(s) - sy(0) - y'(0) + w^2Y(s) = s/(s^2 + 1). Right side is...
  43. M

    Can you help me solve this differential equation using laplace transforms?

    Homework Statement Solve the differential equation using laplace transforms. Assume zero intial conditions and that the forcing functions are zero prior to t=0 x''(t) + 6x'(t) +8x(t)=sin3t Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I took the laplace transform which I found to be after...
  44. H

    What Is the Laplace Transform Formula for \(\mathcal{L}[f(t) \cdot g'(t)]\)?

    Hello, I'am looking for de correct transformation formule:\mathcal{L}[f(t).g'(t)] (and proof). I'am not looking for method to solve it by means of integrating g'(t), offcourse this a possible way. But assume that g(t) is much work to calculate. So is there a good one to one formule...
  45. A

    Relation of laplace transform with power series

    Hi, just wonder if anyone can help Homework Statement Apparently there is a relation between laplace transform and power series. http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/2305640.pdf?acceptTC=true states that if the discrete variable n of a power series is replaced by a continuous variable lambda...
  46. E

    Finding the particular/complementary solution from a laplace transform

    Say you find the laplace transform V(s) and want to switch it back to the time domain, once you've done this, how do you determine which parts of the total solution correspond to the complementary solution and particular solution respectively? Do you just find which parts approach zero as time...
  47. V

    Transfer function with laplace transform

    Hi, I am trying to derive one transfer function for a system, but got stuck at a point. I want the solution to the ratio V_o(s)/V_g(s), the transfer function. V_o(s) = [a*L{(V_g)^2} - b*L{V_o * (V_g)^2} - c*V_g(s) - d/s]*z(s) In the following equation, I have: s-> lapace transform...
  48. C

    Heat Equation (Non Homogeneous BCs) - Difficult Laplace Transform help ;)

    Heat Equation (Non Homogeneous BCs) - Difficult Laplace Transform... help! ;) Hi I'm trying to model the temperature profile of an inertia friction welding during and after welding. I have the welding outputs and have come up with a net heat flow wrt time during the process. I now want to...
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