SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING & BUILT

ENVIRONMENT
Mathematics

Laplace Transforms
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Introduction .
Definition .
Properties of the Laplace Transform
Inverse Laplace Transforms
Using Laplace Transforms to Solve ODEs .
The Step Function ...
The Dirac Delta Function
Convolution .
A Note on Control Theory ..

1
2
4
6
9
11
20
25
26

Tutorial Exercises 27
Answers to Tutorial Exercises . 33

Dr Derek Hodson

1
LTNOTES_Rev/D Hodson
Laplace Transforms
1)

Introduction

The idea of transforming a difficult problem into an easier problem is one that is used
widely in mathematics. Diagrammatically we have

Transform

Problem
Difficult

Transformed
Problem
Solve

Solution
Inverse
Transform

Transformed
Solution

There are many types of transforms available to mathematicians, engineers and scientists. We
are going to examine one such transformation, the Laplace transform, which can be used to
solve certain types of differential equations and also has applications in control theory.

2)

Definition

The Laplace transform operates on functions of t . Given a function f ( t ) we define its

Laplace transform as

L[ f (t ) ] =

f ( t ) e s t dt

where s is termed the Laplace variable. We sometimes denote the Laplace transform by
F ( s ) or

f .

We start off with a function of t and end up with a function of s ; s is, in fact, a complex
variable, but this need not concern us too much.
Because the function of t is often some form of time signal, we often talk about moving from
the time domain to the Laplace domain when we perform a Laplace transformation.
Note:

Laplace transforms are only concerned with functions where t 0 .

2
Examples

(1)

f (t ) = 1 :
L [1] =

1. e s t dt
t =

= e st
s
t =0

Strictly speaking, we cant set t equal to , but we can take the limit as t heads
towards infinity. Providing s > 0 , thereby ensuring that we have a negative
exponential, the limit of the inside of the square brackets as t tends to infinity will be
zero. Also, since e 0 = 1 , this leaves us with
1
1
L [1] = 0 =
.
s
s
So f (t ) = 1

(2)

L [1] =

1
s

f (t ) = t :
L[ t ] =

t . e s t dt

This integral requires integration by parts to complete the process, but with the same
assumptions regarding s as before, it can readily be shown that
L[ t ] =

So f (t ) = t

1
.
s2

L[ t ] =

1
s2

Very quickly the integrations required to complete the Laplace transformation become
difficult and messy. For this reason, we generally work from a table of pre-determined
Laplace transforms (see Appendix).

3
Examples Using Table of Laplace Transforms

(3)

(a)

Determine L [ t 3 ] .

t 3 isnt in the table explicitly, but t n 1 is:

( n 1 )!
sn

L [ t n 1 ] =

For t 3 we require n = 4 :
L[ t 3 ] =

(b)

3 2 1
3!
6
=
=
4
4
s
s
s4

Determine L [ e 2 t ] .
From table:
L [ e t ] =

1
.
s+

Set = 2 :
L[ e 2t ] =

(c)

1
s+2

Determine L [ sin ( 4 t ) ] .
From table:

L [ sin ( t ) ] =

s + 2
2

Set = 4 :
L [ sin ( 4 t ) ] =

4
4
= 2
2
s +4
s + 16
2

4
3)

Properties of the Laplace Transform

The Laplace transform has several special properties that make it a useful mathematical tool.
We consider some of these now.
a)

Linearity

Suppose we have two functions along with their respective Laplace transforms:
L[ f (t ) ] = F ( s )

L[ g ( t ) ] = G ( s ) .

The property of linearity means that

L[ a f ( t ) + b g ( t ) ] = a F ( s ) + b G ( s )
providing a and b are constants. This makes the transformation of a string of functions
straightforward.
Example

(4)

L [ 2 cos ( t ) + 3 sin ( t ) ] = 2

Warning:

b)

s
s + 2
2

+ 3

s +
2

2 s + 3
s2 + 2

The Laplace transform of a product is NOT EQUAL TO the product of

the individual Laplace transforms. We have to invoke other properties of
the Laplace transform to deal with such.

The First Shifting Theorem

Suppose a function f ( t ) has the Laplace transform F ( s ) . It is easily demonstrated that

L [ e t f ( t ) ] = F ( s + ) .
Example

(5)

From tables and Example (3)(a) we have

L[ t 3 ] =

6
.
s4

[1]

By the first shifting property

L[ e 2t t 3 ] =

6
.
( s + 2) 4

To obtain [2] from [1] we merely replace s by ( s + 2 ) .

[2]

5
c)

Transformation of Derivatives

As before, denote the Laplace transform (LT) of f ( t ) by F ( s ) . Now consider the LT of

the derivative of f ( t ) , denoted by f& ( t ) :
L [ f& ( t ) ] =

f& ( t ) e s t dt .

Integrate by parts (integrating f& ( t ) and differentiating e s t ):

=

f (t ) e st

= 0 f (0) + s

f ( t ) ( s ) e s t dt
f ( t ) e s t dt

= f (0) + s F (s) .

So
L [ f& ( t ) ] = s F ( s ) f ( 0 ) .

We have expressed the Laplace transform of a derivative in terms of the Laplace transform of
the undifferentiated function. In effect, the Laplace transform has converted the operation of
differentiation into the simpler operation of multiplication by s .
In a similar fashion, using repeated integration by parts, we can show that
L [ &f& ( t ) ] = s 2 F ( s ) s f ( 0 ) f& ( 0 ) .

This is one of the most important properties of the Laplace transform. The Laplace transform
gets rid of derivatives; just the thing for solving differential equations!
When we come to solve differential equations using Laplace transforms we shall use the
following alternative notation:
L[ x ] = x
L [ x& ] = s x x ( 0 )
L [ &x& ] = s 2 x s x ( 0 ) x& ( 0 ) .

However, before we can solve differential equations, we need to look at the reverse process of
finding functions of t from given Laplace transforms.

6
4)

Inverse Laplace Transforms

So far, we have looked at how to determine the LT of a function of t , ending up with a

function of s . The table of Laplace transforms collects together the results we have
considered, and more. When we apply Laplace transforms to solve problems we will have to
invoke the inverse transformation. That is, given a Laplace transform F ( s ) we will want to
determine the corresponding f ( t ) . In general we have
L 1 [ F ( s ) ] =

1
2 j

+ j

F ( s ) e s t ds ,

where the evaluation of the integral requires a knowledge of complex analysis, which is too
difficult to consider here. Instead, we shall rely on the table of Laplace transforms used in
reverse to provide inverse Laplace transforms. This will mean manipulating a given Laplace
transform until it looks like one or more entries in the right of the table. The inverse is then
determined from the left of the table. The following examples illustrate the main algebraic
techniques required. These include completing the square, factorisation and the formation of
partial fractions. See separate documents for the details of completing the square and partial
fractions.
Examples

(6)

Invert the Laplace transform

3
.
s6

The closest entry in the table gives:

( n 1 )!
sn

t n 1 .

Setting n = 6 :
5!
s6

t 5 . [Note: 5! = 5 4 3 2 1 = 120 ], so

120
s6

t5 .

In the given Laplace transform there is a 3 on the top; we would like there to be a 120 to
match the table entry. We can re-write the transform providing we dont alter its net
value:
3
1
3 120
1 120
.
= 3 6 =
=
6
6
120 s
40 s 6
s
s
The term in the square brackets is now exactly the table entry so we can invert that and
simply multiply by the fraction in front:
3
s6

1 5
t .
40

7
(7)

Invert

1
.
+ 2s + 5

This requires the technique of completing the square and a little bit of fine tuning to
re-write it in a form that can be inverted from tables. Note that the closest entry in the
table gives:

(s + )

e t sin ( t ) .

Now complete the square in the denominator:

s 2 + 2 s + 5 = ( s + 1) 2 1 + 5 = ( s + 1) 2 + 4 .

The given transform becomes:

1
1
1
=
=
.
2
+ 2s + 5
( s + 1) + 4
( s + 1) 2 + 2 2

This is now very close to the table entry with = 1 and = 2 . We would like there
to be a 2 on top so fine tuning gives
1
( s + 1)

+ 2

1
2
,

2
2
2 ( s + 1) + 2

where the term in the square brackets is exactly the table entry with = 1 and = 2 .
Inverting this and multiplying by the fraction gives

1
2

2
2
2 ( s + 1) + 2

(8)(a)

Invert

1
2

e t sin ( 2 t ) .

s+5
.
2s 3

Factorising the denominator and splitting the result into its partial fractions deals with
this one. Note that the details of the partial fraction expansion have been omitted.

s2

Use

s+5
s+5
2
1
=
=

( s 3 ) ( s + 1)
s3
s +1
2s 3

1
e t twice with = 3 and = + 1 to give
(s + )
2
1

2 e 3t e t
s3
s +1

8
(8)(b)

Invert

s+5
by completing the square.
2s 3

If we failed to notice that the denominator factorised, them completing the square is still
an option:
s+5
s+5
=
( s 1) 2 1 3
s 2s 3
2

s+5
( s 1) 2 4

s+5
( s 1) 2 2 2

The minus sign in the denominator is very significant since it no longer conforms to
( s + )2 + 2 .
Instead we need the following results:
L [ e t sinh ( t ) ] =

(s + )

L [ e t cosh ( t ) ] =

s +
( s + )2 2

where sinh (pronounced shine) and cosh (pronounced cosh) are the so-called
hyperbolic functions. Fine tuning the Laplace transform a little bit more gives

s+5
( s 1) + 6
( s 1)
2
=
=
+ 3
.
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
( s 1) 2
( s 1) 2
( s 1) 2
( s 1) 2

Inverting now gives

( s 1)
2
+
3
e + t cosh ( 2 t ) + 3 e + t sinh ( 2 t )

2
2
2
2
( s 1) 2
( s 1) 2
= e + t [ cosh ( 2 t ) + 3 sinh ( 2 t ) ] .

By applying the following mathematical identities:

cosh ( t ) =

1
2

[e + t + e t ]

and

sinh ( t ) =

1
2

[e + t e t ]

we can easily show that the two versions of the answer are equivalent.

9
5)

Using Laplace Transforms to Solve ODEs

We have seen how the Laplace transform of the derivative of a function can be expressed in
terms of the Laplace transform of the undifferentiated function. We can use this property to
derive solutions to certain types of differential equations. The process is broken down into
the following steps:

Transform both sides of the ODE;

Substitute initial values;
Solve for x ;
Manipulate into a form that can be inverted from tables;
Invert to give the solution of the ODE.

The method is best illustrated by example and we shall need the results from earlier:

L[ x ] = x

L [ x& ] = s x x ( 0 )
L [ &x& ] = s 2 x s x ( 0 ) x& ( 0 ) .
Example

(9)

Consider the ODE

&x& + 2 x& + 5 x = 8 e 3 t

Subject to the initial conditions

x ( 0 ) = x& ( 0 ) = 0 .
Transform both sides of the equation:

[ s 2 x s x ( 0 ) x& ( 0 ) ] + 2 [ s x x ( 0 ) ] + 5 x =
Substitute initial values:

[ s2 x s 0 0] + 2 [ s x 0] + 5 x =

( s2 + 2 s + 5) x

8
s+3
8
.
s+3

8
.
s+3

10
Solve for x :

x =

8
( s + 3) ( s 2 + 2 x + 5)

Manipulate into a form that can be inverted from tables. In this case we form partial
fractions, complete the square on the quadratic denominator and finish up with a little
fine tuning of the last term:

1
s
1
2
.
+
x =

2
2
2
2
2 ( s + 1) + 2
s+3
( s + 1) + 2

Finally invert term-by-term and tidy-up:

x ( t ) = e 3 t e t [ cos ( 2 t )

1
2

sin ( 2 t ) ] +

= e 3 t e t [ cos ( 2 t ) sin ( 2 t ) ] .

Further Example

(10) Solve &x& + 25 x = 1 subject to x ( 0 ) = 10 and x& ( 0 ) = 0 .

Transform:

[ s 2 x s x ( 0 ) x& ( 0 ) ] + 25 x =

1
s

Substitute initial conditions:

[ s 2 x 10 s 0 ] + 25 x =

1
s

Solve for x :

s 2 x + 25 x =

1
+ 10 s
s

( s 2 + 25 ) x =

1
+ 10 s
s

x =

s(s

s
1
+ 10 2
+ 25 )
( s + 25 )

1
2

e t sin ( 2 t )

11
Manipulate and invert:
x =

1
25
s

+ 10 2

2
25 s ( s + 25 )
( s + 25 )

x(t ) =

1
25

[ 1 cos ( 5 t ) ] + 10 cos ( 5 t )

Using Laplace transforms to solve ODEs of the form

a &x& + b x& + c x = f ( t )
allows us to tackle problems where a solution by the method of undetermined coefficients
(say) is rendered difficult or impossible because of the specific type of function on the righthand-side. We shall now look at two such functions for which this is the case.
6)

The Step Function

The step function is defined as

0 , t <T
.
u (t T ) =
1 , t >T
Its graph is shown below in Figure 1:

u (t T )
1

T
Figure 1

T is called the critical value of the step function; it is where the function changes value. The
value of the step function at t = T is not defined above. Some authors define the value as 1,
others define it as 0 or 0.5. We shall not worry about it!
Note: In the notation for the step function, the u is NOT multiplying the bracket. The u is
the short-hand name for the function (full name: unit step function) and the bracket contains
information regarding the function variable (usually t ) and the location of the step.

12
The step function is like a mathematical switch. It can be used to model situations where
something occurs suddenly, such as when a circuit is switched on, or a voltage is
instantaneously modified, or a force is suddenly applied or removed. This may be done by
taking combinations of step functions with different critical values, or even combining them
with more conventional functions, as the following examples illustrate.
Note:

Since Laplace transforms are only concerned with functions where t 0 , if the step
occurs at t = 0 then u ( t 0 ) 1 .

Examples

(11) Graph f ( t ) = 2 u ( t 5 ) 3 u ( t 10 ) + u ( t 15 ) .
Thinking of the step functions as switches, for t < 5 all step functions are off and so
are all zero; for 5 < t < 10 the first step function is on and has the value 1; for
10 < t < 15 the second step function now switches on to 1 also; and for t > 15 all step
functions are on and equal to 1. This gives

f (t ) =

0
2
1
0

, 0<t<5
, 5 < t < 10
, 10 < t < 15
,
t > 15

and the graph

f(t)
2

(12) / Over the page . . .

10

15

13
(12) Graph f ( t ) = ( 2 t ) ( t 4 ) [ u ( t 2 ) u ( t 4 ) ] .
We do this in two parts. Without the step functions, we would have
f (t ) = ( 2 t ) (t 4) = t 2 + 6t 8 .
This graph is a parabola that crosses the horizontal axis at t = 2 and t = 4 and has a
maximum turning point at ( 3 , 1 ) .
The step functions take the following values:
t<2
00=0 ,

u (t 2) u (t 4) = 1 0 = 1 , 2 < t < 4 .
11= 0 ,
t>4

When the two parts are multiplied together we get

0
,
t<2

f ( t ) = parabola , 2 < t < 4

0
,
t>4

and the graph

f(t)
1

We can think of a difference of two step functions

u (t a ) u (t b)
like a mathematical window whose frame obscures the graph of any multiplying function to
the sides, i.e. t < a and t > b .

14
(13) Determine f ( t ) from the following graph:

f(t)
4

The jumps in the graph can be represented by step functions. The location of the jump
is determined by the critical value of the step function, the size of the jump can be
achieved by multiplying the step function be a suitably sized constant, the direction of
the jump by the sign of the constant. Working from left to right:
1st jump:

4 u ( t 1)

up by 4 at T = 1

2nd jump:

6u (t 2)

down by 6 at T = 2

3rd jump:

4u ( t 3)

up by 4 at T = 3 .

Adding these together gives us the function:

f ( t ) = 4 u ( t 1) 6 u ( t 2 ) + 4 u ( t 3 ) .

(14) / Over the page . . .

15
(14) Determine f ( t ) from the following graph:

f(t)
3

Using basic coordinate geometry, the equation of the oblique straight line is given by

y = 3t 3 .
We are only seeing the straight line between t = 1 and t = 2 ; this gives a
mathematical window of

[ u ( t 1) u ( t 2 ) ] .
Multiplying the two parts together gives us our function:

f ( t ) = ( 3 t 3 ) [ u ( t 1) u ( t 2 ) ] .

For more general piece-wise functions we can break them down into fragments, each with
their own window, and add the parts together.
Example

(15)

, 0 < t <1
t

f ( t ) = 2 t , 1 < t < 2
0
,
t>2

f ( t ) = t [ u ( t 0 ) u ( t 1) ] + ( 2 t ) [ u ( t 1) u ( t 2 ) ]
As far as Laplace transforms are concerned u ( t 0 ) 1 so this can be re-written as

f ( t ) = t 2 ( t 1) u ( t 1) + ( t 2 ) u ( t 2 ) .

16
There are two results that we will need in order to solve ODEs containing step functions.
Result 1

L[ u ( t T ) ] =

1 sT
e
s

L[ u ( t T ) ] =

Proof

0
T

=
=

u ( t T ) e s t dt
0 e s t dt +

1 e s t dt

+ e st
s

0
1 sT
e
s

( s > 0) .

Result 2 The Second Shifting Theorem

Given a function f ( t ) with Laplace transform F ( s ) , it can be shown that

L[ f ( t T ) u ( t T ) ] = F ( s ) e sT .
The proof of this is omitted. The implication of this result is demonstrated graphically below
in Figure 2:

Shifted and truncated f

O
F ( s) f (t )

F ( s ) e sT f ( t T ) u ( t T )
Figure 2

17

We shall use modified versions of the following diagram to help us apply the 2nd Shifting
Theorem:
f (t )

F (s)

f (t T )u (t T )

F ( s ) e sT

Examples

(16) Invert the Laplace transform

1
e 4s .
s ( s + 2)

For this we are starting at the bottom-right of the diagram and moving round anticlockwise:
f (t )

F (s)

F ( s ) e sT

f (t T )u (t T )

1
1
2
.
=
s ( s + 2)
2 s ( s + 2 )

Step 1:

Ignore exponential to give F ( s ) =

Step 2:

Invert F ( s ) to give f ( t ) = 12 [1 e 2 t ] .

Step 3:

Shift and truncate with T = 4 , i.e. replace t by ( t 4 ) and multiply by

u ( t 4 ) , to give the completed inversion
f (t T )u (t T ) =

1
2

[1 e 2 ( t 4 ) ] u ( t 4 ) .

18
(17) Solve the differential equation &x& + 4 x = u ( t 3 ) subject to x ( 0 ) = x& ( 0 ) = 0 .
Transform:

[ s 2 x s x ( 0 ) x& ( 0 ) ] + 4 x =

1 3s
e
s

Substitute initial conditions and solve for x :

( s2 + 4) x =

x =

1 3s
e
s
1
e 3s
s( s + 4)
2

Invert with the help of the 2nd Shifting Theorem:

Again, we are starting at the bottom-right of the diagram and moving round anticlockwise:

f (t )

F (s)

f (t T )u (t T )

F ( s ) e sT

1
1
22
.
=

2
2
2
s ( s + 4) 4 s ( s + 2 )

Step 1:

Ignore exponential to give F ( s ) =

Step 2:

Invert F ( s ) to give f ( t ) = 14 [1 cos ( 2 t ) ] .

Step 3:

Shift and truncate with T = 3 , i.e. replace t by ( t 3 ) and multiply by

u ( t 3 ) , to give f ( t T ) u ( t T ) and the completed solution
x(t ) =

1
4

[1 cos ( 2 ( t 3 ) ) ] u ( t 3 ) .

These two examples illustrate the use of the 2nd Shifting Theorem to invert Laplace
transforms that contain an exponential factor. The next example shows the theorem working
in the other direction.

19
(18) Determine L [ t 2 u ( t 10 ) ] .
This time we go round the diagram the other way:
f (t )

F (s)

F ( s ) e sT

f (t T )u (t T )

We have, however, a slight problem in that the given function of t does not quite
conform to the structure bottom-left. We need to re-write the multiplying function t 2
so that the variable t always has a minus T . For this example T = 10 so we
introduce this as follows:
t 2 = [ ( t 10 ) + 10 ] 2 = ( t 10 ) 2 + 20 ( t 10 ) + 100 .
The original function becomes [ ( t 10 ) 2 + 20 ( t 10 ) + 100 ] u ( t 10 ) which
now does conform. Next we use the theorem to transform:
Step 1:

Cover up the step function and the minus 10s to leave

f ( t ) = t 2 + 20 t + 100 .

2
20
100
.
+ 2 +
3
s
s
s

Step 2:

Transform to give F ( s ) =

Step 3:

Everything we covered up in Step 1 is now accounted for by multiplying

F ( s ) by e 10 s and so completes the transformation,
20
100 10 s
2
.
L [ t 2 u ( t 10 ) ] = 3 + 2 +
e
s
s
s

Now we shall look at another new type of function, one that is closely related to the step
function.

20
7)

The Dirac Delta Function

Consider the graph of a function D ( t ) something like the following:

D(t)

t
T

T+

Figure 3

This graph might represent a force applied and then removed, or a voltage switched on and
then off. We can then define another function as
U (t ) =

t
0

D ( z ) dz

which records the area under the graph from 0 to the variable t . Assume that the function
D ( t ) is such that the total area under the graph is 1 unit2. This means that
0
,
tT

U ( t ) = 0 increasing to 1 , T t T +

1
,
t T +

and so the graph of U ( t ) will look like

U(t)

t
O

T+

Figure 4

21
Now suppose that the interval over which D ( t ) is non-zero is reduced but the height of the
graph is increased in such a way that the total area under the graph is still 1 unit2:
D(t)

t
O

Figure 5

We get what might be termed a "blip". The corresponding graph of U ( t ) looks like
U(t)

t
O

Figure 6

Notice that U ( t ) is beginning to look like the step function. If we let the interval about T
shrink further towards zero and the height increase towards infinity (again, in such a way that
the area under the graph is always 1 unit2), then, in the limit, we obtain an "instantaneous,
infinite blip" at t = T . This "infinite blip" at t = T is called the Dirac delta function and is
denoted by

(t T ) ;
it has the graph as shown in Figure 7 on the next page.

22

(tT)

t
T

Figure 7

The Dirac delta function has the property that

t
0

0 , t < T
= u (t T ) .
1 , t > T

( z T ) dz =

Another way of expressing this is that

(t T ) =

d
u (t T ) .
dt

That is, the Dirac delta function is the derivative of the step function.
The Dirac delta function also has the property that

M
0

f ( t ) ( t T ) dt = f ( T )

for any function f , providing M > T . From this result we can determine the Laplace
transform of the Dirac delta function:
L[ ( t T ) ] =

( t T ) e s t dt = e s T

The Dirac delta function is often used the model actions or events that occur over a short
period of time; reality is compressed into an instant of time for mathematical convenience. It
is sometimes referred to as the impulse function.

23
Examples

(19) Solve the differential equation x& + 4 x = 3 ( t 2 ) , x ( 0 ) = 5 .

Transform:

[ s x x ( 0 ) ] + 4 x = 3e 2s

Substitute initial condition and solve for x :

( s + 4 ) x = 3e 2s + 5
3
5
e 2s +
( s + 4)
( s + 4)
[A]
[B]

x =

Invert to give solution:

[A]:

3
( s + 4)

Invert

3e 4t

By 2nd Shifting Theorem,

3
e 2s
( s + 4)

[B]:

5
( s + 4)

Invert

3e 4(t 2) u ( t 2 )

Invert

5e 4t

x ( t ) = 3 e 4(t 2) u ( t 2 ) + 5 e 4t

(20) In a branch of an electronic circuit, the variation of current with time is modelled by the
differential equation
d 2i
dV
+ 36 i =
,
2
dt
dt
where V ( t ) is an input voltage. Suppose V ( t ) = 240 [ u ( t 5 ) u ( t 10 ) ] .
Assuming zero initial conditions, determine i as a function of t .

24
Referring back to the introduction of the Dirac delta function, we can write
dV
= 240 [ ( t 5 ) ( t 10 ) ]
dt
and so the differential equation becomes
d 2i
+ 36 i = 240 [ ( t 5 ) ( t 10 ) ] .
dt 2
The Laplace transformation process results in
i =

240
[ e 5 s e 10 s ] ,
s + 36
2

which can be inverted with the help of the 2nd Shifting Theorem:
i ( t ) = 40 sin [6 ( t 5 ) ] u ( t 5 ) 40 sin [6 ( t 10 ) ] u ( t 10 ) .

Try and fill in the details for yourselves.

You may recall this warning from earlier in the notes:

The Laplace transform of a product is NOT EQUAL TO the product of the
individual Laplace transforms.

We shall now look at a kind of product rule for Laplace transforms.

25
8)

Convolution

The convolution of two functions f ( t ) and g ( t ) is another function of t denoted by

f g and defined by
f g =

f g =

t
0

f ( t z ) g ( z ) dz

[a]

f ( z ) g ( t z ) dz .

[b]

or
t
0

It can be shown that these two integrals are equal.

If F ( s ) and G ( s ) are the Laplace transforms of f ( t ) and g ( t ) respectively, then
L[ f g ] = F ( s ) G ( s ) .

Example

(21) Invert the Laplace transform

1
.
s ( s + 4)2

This could be done using partial fractions (try it!), but convolution could be used as an
alternative:

Set

F (s) =

1
1
and invert individually from tables:
and G ( s ) =
s
( s + 4)2
g ( t ) = t e 4t .

f (t ) = 1

Form the convolution of f and g using form [a] :

f (t z ) = 1
f g =
=

t
0
t
0

g ( z ) = z e 4z
f ( t z ) g ( z ) dz
z e 4 z dz .

Omitting the details, integration by parts gives

f g = 14 t e 4 t

1
16

e 4t +

1
16

26
9)

A Note on Control Theory

As mentioned earlier, Laplace transforms are an important tool in control theory. Keeping
things basic, in a simple control system there may be an input and an output. Control theory
is concerned with the relationship between the input and the output within the system. Often
a control system can be modelled by a differential equation that relates input to output in what
may be referred to as the time domain. For example, a differential equation like
dx
+ k x = v (t )
dt
might relate an input v ( t ) to an output x ( t ) . For a given input, the equation is solved to
give the corresponding output. However, in control theory, options regarding the input are
often left open. Without a specific input, we cant determine a corresponding output, but
valuable information about the systems controllability can be established by leaving the input
unspecified, and continuing to apply the solution process to the differential equation in any
case.
For the above differential equation, denote the following Laplace transforms:

L[ x ( t ) ] = X ( s )

L[ v ( t ) ] = V ( s ) .

Now take the Laplace transform of the differential equation; assume that the initial condition
of x ( t ) is zero:

s X (s) + k X (s) = V (s) .

Now re-arrange:
(s + k ) X (s) = V (s)
X (s)
1
=
.
V (s)
(s + k )
What we have here is the ratio of the output of the system to its input in what is called the
Laplace domain. This ratio is called the systems transfer function.
In general, for a system with a single input and a single output we have
X (s)
= H (s) .
V (s)
The transfer function H ( s ) is itself a Laplace transform and its form will depend on the
structure of the differential equation modelling the system. The transfer function plays a huge
role in control theory as much information can be derived from it. But that is another story
for another module!

27
Tutorial Exercises

(1)

With the aid of the table of Laplace transforms, transform the following functions :
(i)

2t 5

(iii) 2 t 2 3 t + 1
(v)

3 t et

(vii) e 2 t 1

at + b

(iv)

( a + b t )2

(vi)

t 2 e 2t

(viii) e t cos( 2 t )

(ix)

sin ( t + )

(x)

(xi)

sin 2 t

(xii) cos 2 t

(xiii) e 2 t sin ( 5 t )

(2)

(ii)

cos( t + )

(xiv) e 2 t sin ( 5 t +

Invert each of the following Laplace transforms :

(i)

5
s+3

(ii)

2
s + 16

(iii)

s+1
s2 + 1

(iv)

s2
s2 4

(v)

s4
s2 4

(vi)

1
( s + 9 )2

(vii)

s+2
( s + 2 )2 + 1

(viii)

s+4
( s + 2 )2 + 1

(ix)

1
s4

(x)

4
s5

(xi)

s
( s 1) 2 4

(xii)

(xiii)

s+5
( s + 1)( s 3 )

(xiv)

5s + 1
( s 1 )( s + 2 )
32
.
s ( s + 16 )
2

28
(3)

Using Laplace transforms, solve the following ordinary differential equations :

(i)

x& + 2 x = 0

x (0) = 1

(ii)

x& + 2 x = 1

x (0) = 0

(iii)

x& 3 x = 10 sin t

x (0) = 0

(iv)

&&
x 4x = 0

x (0) = 0 , x& (0) = 6

(v)

x&& +

x (0) = A , x& (0) = B

(vi)

x&& + 4 x& + 4 x = 0

x (0) = 2 , x& (0) = 3

(vii) 9 x&& 6 x& + x = 0

x (0) = 3 , x& (0) = 1

(viii) x&& + x& = 0

x (0) = 0 , x& (0) = 4

x = 0

(4) Sketch the graphs and determine the Laplace transforms of each of the following :
2 u ( t 5)

(ii)

4 u ( t 3 )

(iii) 3 [ u ( t 2 ) u ( t 4 ) ]

(iv)

u ( t 1) 2 u ( t 2 ) + u ( t 3 )

u(t 2) u(t 4)

(vi)

2 u ( t 3 ) u ( t 6)

(i)

(v)

(vii) ( t 3 ) u ( t 3 )
(ix)

t u ( t 3)

(viii) ( t 5 ) 2 u ( t 5 )
(x)

t 2 u ( t 5)

(xi) [ u ( t 2 ) u ( t 4 ) ] ( t 2 ) 2
(xii) [ u ( t 1 ) u ( t 2 ) ] ( t 1 ) 2 + [ u ( t 2 ) u ( t 3 ) ] ( 3 t )

29
(5)

Using combinations of step-functions, determine single-line expressions for each of the

following functions and (hence) their Laplace transforms :
(i)
f(t)
5

(ii)
f(t)

1
t

(iii)
f(t)

1
O

(iv)
f(t)

t
5

10

30
(v)
f(t)

(vi)
f(t)

10

15

(vii)
f(t)

(6)

t
5

Invert each of the following Laplace transforms :

(i)

1 s
e
s

(ii)

1 2s
e
s

(iii)

1 s
e
s2

(iv)

1 2s
e
s2

(v)

1
e 3s
s+2

(vi)

s
e 5s
s +9

(vii)

4
e 10 s
2
s +4

(viii)

s
e 4s
2
s + 2 s + 10

(ix)

2 ( e 2s e 4s )
s 2 + 25

31
(7)

The ODE below models the behaviour of a time-varying current i(t) in a circuit :
di
+ i = v (t ) .
dt
The function on the RHS, v(t) , is a source voltage. Below are various source voltages.
For each, graph v(t) and write as a single-line expression using step-functions. Then
determine and graph i(t) .

(8)

(i)

v0 , 0 t 1
v (t ) =
t 1
0 ,

(ii)

t
v (t ) =
0

, 0 t 1
,
t 1

i (0) = v 0

i (0) = 0

The ODE and initial conditions

m &&
x + c x& + k x = f (t )

x (0) = x& (0) = 0

models the mass displacement of a spring-mass-dashpot system, where m is the mass ,

c is the damping constant, k is the spring stiffness and f(t) is a forcing term. For each
of the following forcing terms graph f(t) and express it as a single-line expression .
Setting m = 1, c = 2 and k = 5, determine x in terms of t (i.e. solve the ODE).

(9)

(i)

1 , 0 t 10
f (t ) =
t 10
0 ,

(ii)

t , 0 t 10
f (t ) =
t 10
0 ,

Evaluate the following integrals :

(i)

(iv)

2
0

( t 1) dt

3
0

t 2 ( t 2 ) dt

(ii)

(v)

2
0

( t 3 ) dt

5
0

e t ( t 3 ) dt

(iii)

(vi)

4
2

( t 1) dt

2
0

e t ( t 3 ) dt

32
(10) Write down the Laplace transforms of
(i)

2 ( t 1)

(ii)

4 (t 2)

(iii) 6 ( t )

(11) Invert the following Laplace transforms :

(i)

s + 1
s

(ii)

s + 1 2s
e
s

(iii)

s + 2 4s
e
s + 1

(iv)

s2 + 2 s 5s
e
s2 + 9

(12) Solve the following ODEs :

(i)

x& + 4 x = 2 ( t )

x(0) = 0

(ii)

x& + 4 x = 2 ( t 1 )

x(0) = 0

(iii)

&&
x + 4 x = 4 ( t )

x (0) = 0 , x& (0) = 4

(iv)

x&& + 4 x& + 5 x = ( t 1 )

x (0) = x& (0) = 0

(13) The ODE and initial condition

di
+ i = v&(t )
dt

i(0) = 0

models the behaviour of a time-varying current in a circuit. The function v(t) is a

source voltage. For each of the source voltages below, write down v&(t ) ; hence
determine and graph i(t) :
(i)

v (t ) = v0 u ( t 1)

(ii)

v (t ) = v0 [ u ( t 1) u ( t 2 ) ] .

33
Answers

(1)

(i)

5
2

2
s
s

(ii)

a
b
+
2
s
s

(iii)

1
4
3
2 +
3
s
s
s

(iv)

2ab
2 b2
a2
+ 2 + 3
s
s
s

(v)

3
( s 1) 2

(vi)

2
( s + 2 )3

(vii)

e 1
s2

(viii)

s+1
( s + 1) 2 + 4

(ix)

s sin + cos
s2 + 2

(x)

s cos sin
s2 + 2

(xi)

(2)

s2 + 2
(xii)
s ( s2 + 4 )

2
s ( s2 + 4 )

(xiii)

5
( s + 2 ) 2 + 25

(xiv)

( s + 2 ) sin 4 + 5 cos 4
( s + 2 ) 2 + 25

(i)

5 e 3t

(ii)

1
2

(iii) cos t + sin t

(iv)

e 2t

(vi)

t e 9t

(v)

3
2

e 2t
or

1
2

e 2t

sin ( 4 t )
or

cosh ( 2t ) sinh ( 2t )

cosh ( 2t ) 2 sinh ( 2t )
(vii) e 2 t cos t

(viii) e 2 t ( cos t + 2 sin t )

t3

(ix)

1
6

(xi)

e t [ cosh ( 2t ) +

(xiii) 2 e 3 t e t

(x)
1
2

sinh ( 2t ) ]

1
6

t4

(xii) 2 e t + 3 e 2 t
(xiv) 2 [ 1 cos( 4t ) ]

34
(3)

(i)

x = e 2t

(ii)

x =

(iii)

x = e 3 t cos t 3 sin t

(iv)

x = 3 sinh ( 2t )
or
x = 23 ( e 2 t e 2 t )

(v)

x = A cos( t ) +

(vi)

x = ( t + 2 ) e 2t

(vii) x = 3 e t

sin ( t )

1
2

( 1 e 2t )

(viii) x = 4 ( 1 e t )

2 5s
e
s

(ii)

(iii)

3 2s
(e
e 4s )
s

(iv)

1 s
(e
2 e 2 s + e 3s )
s

(v)

1 4s
e
s

(vi)

(vii)

1 3s
e
s2

(viii)

2 5s
e
s3

(ix)

3 3s
1
2 + e
s
s

(x)

10
25 5 s
2
e
3 + 2 +
s
s
s

(xi)

2 2s
4
4 4s
2
3 + 2 +
e
e
3
s
s
s
s

(xii)

2 s
3
1
2
3 + 2 e 2 s + 2 e 3s
e
3
s
s
s
s

(4) (i)

4 3s
e
s

2 6s
e
s

35
(5)

(i)

5 [u(t 2) u(t 4)]

5
( e 2s e 4s )
s

(ii)

u ( t 2 ) + 2 u ( t 3) 3 u ( t 4 )
1
( e 2 s + 2 e 3s 3 e 4 s )
s

(iii) 3 u ( t 2 ) 2 u ( t 3 ) u ( t 4 )
1
( 3 e 2 s 2 e 3s e 4 s )
s

(iv)

( t 5 ) [ u ( t 5 ) u ( t 10 ) ]
1 5s
5
1
2 + e 10 s
e
2
s
s
s

(v)

t [ 1 u ( t 5) ]
1
5
1
2 + e 5s
2
s
s
s

(vi)

( t 5 ) u ( t 5 ) 2 ( t 10 ) u ( t 10 ) + ( t 15 ) u ( t 15 )
1
( e 5 s 2 e 10 s + e 15 s )
s2

(vii) ( 5 t ) [ 1 u ( t 5 ) ]
1
1
5
2 + 2 e 5s

s
s
s

36
(6)

(i)

u ( t 1)

(iii) ( t 1) u ( t 1)
(v)

e 2 ( t 3) u ( t 3)

(ii)

u(t 2)

(iv)

(t 2) u(t 2)

(vi)

cos[ 3 ( t 5 ) ] u ( t 5 )

(vii) 2 sin[ 2 ( t 10 ) ] u ( t 10 )
(vii) e ( t 4 )

(7)

(8)

[ cos[ 3(t 4 ) ]

{ sin[ 5( t 2 ) ] u ( t 2 )

1
3

sin[ 3( t 4 ) ] ] u ( t 4 )

sin[ 5( t 4 ) ] u ( t 4 )

(viii)

2
5

(i)

i (t ) = v0 v 0 [ 1 e ( t 1 ) ] u ( t 1)

(ii)

i (t ) = ( e t + t 1) ( t 1) u ( t 1)

(i)

x (t ) =

1
5

[ f 1 ( t ) f 1 ( t 10 ) u ( t 10 ) ]

where
f 1 ( t ) = 1 e t cos( 2 t )
(ii)

1
2

e t sin ( 2 t )

x (t ) = g1 ( t ) g1 ( t 10 ) u ( t 10 ) 2 g 2 ( t 10 ) u ( t 10 )
where
g1 ( t ) =

1
25

[ 5t

2 + 2 e t cos( 2 t )

g 2 ( t ) = 1 e t cos( 2 t )

1
2

3
2

e t sin ( 2 t )

e t sin ( 2 t )

37
(9)

(i)

(ii)

(iii) 0

(iv) 4

(v)

e 3

(vi) 0

(ii)

4 e 2s

(iii) 6

(10) (i)

2 e s

(11) (i)

(t ) + 1

(ii)

(t 2) + u(t 2)

(iii) ( t 4 ) + e ( t 4 ) u ( t 4 )
(iv) ( t 5 ) + { 2 cos[ 3 ( t 5 ) ] 3 sin[ 3 ( t 5 ) ]} u ( t 5 )

(12) (i)

x (t ) = 2 e 4 t

(ii)

x (t ) = 2 e 4 ( t 1 ) u ( t 1 )

(iii)

x (t ) = 2 sin ( 2 t ) [ 1 u ( t ) ]

(iv)

x (t ) = e 2 ( t 1 ) sin ( t 1) u ( t 1)

(13) (i)
(ii)

i (t ) = v 0 e ( t 1 ) u ( t 1 )
i (t ) = v0 [ e ( t 1) u ( t 1) e ( t 2 ) u ( t 2 ) ]

38

39
TABLE OF LAPLACE TRANSFORMS

L [ f ( t ) ] is defined by

f ( t ) e s t dt

f (t )

F ( s ) = L[ f ( t ) ]

1
s

1
s2

t2

2
s3

t n 1

( n 1 )!
sn

e t

1
(s + )

t e t

1
( s + )2

1 e t

sin ( t )

cos ( t )

1 cos ( t )

t sin ( t )

s (s + )

+ 2
s
+ 2

2
s ( s2 + 2 )

2 2 s
( s 2 + 2 )2

Over . . . .

40

sin ( t ) t cos ( t )

2 3
( s 2 + 2 )2

sin ( t + )

s sin + cos
s2 + 2

e t sin ( t )

e t cos ( t )

e t cos ( t )
sin ( t )

+
sin ( t ) cos ( t )

sinh ( t )

e t sinh ( t )

cosh ( t )

( s + )2 + 2
s +
( s + )2 + 2

( s + )2 + 2

2 + 2
( s + )( s2 + 2 )

( s + )2 2

s
2

e t cosh ( t )

s +
( s + )2 2

e t f ( t )

F (s + )

x&

s x x(0)

&x&

s 2 x s x ( 0 ) x& ( 0 )

Over . . . .

41
Unit Step Function

0 , t < T
u (t T ) =
1 , t > T

1 sT
e
s

f (t T ) u (t T )

F ( s ) e sT

Dirac Delta Function

(t )

(t T )

e sT

Convolution Integral

t
0

f ( z ) g ( t z ) dz
OR

t
0

f ( t z ) g ( z ) dz

F (s) G(s)