The Laplace Transform and the IVP (Sect. 6.2).

I Solving differential equations using L[ ].

I Homogeneous IVP.
I First, second, higher order equations.
I Non-homogeneous IVP.
I Recall: Partial fraction decompositions.

Solving differential equations using L[ ].

Remark: The method works with:
I Constant coefficient equations.
I Homogeneous and non-homogeneous equations.
I First, second, higher order equations.

Idea of the method:

" #
differential eq. (1) Algebraic eq. (2)
L −→ −→
for y (t). for L[y (t)].

Solve the Transform back

(2) (3)
−→ algebraic eq. −→ to obtain y (t).
for L[y (t)]. (Using the table.)
Solving differential equations using L[ ].

Idea of the method:

" #
differential eq. (1) Algebraic eq. (2)
L −→ −→
for y (t). for L[y (t)].
Solve the Transform back
(2) (3)
−→ algebraic eq. −→ to obtain y (t).
for L[y (t)]. (Using the table.)

Recall:
(a) L[a f (t) + b g (t)] = a L[f (t)] + b L[g (t)];

(b) L y (n) = s n L[y ] − s (n−1) y (0) − s (n−2) y 0 (0) − · · · − y (n−1) (0).

 

The Laplace Transform and the IVP (Sect. 6.2).

I Solving differential equations using L[ ].

I Homogeneous IVP.
I First, second, higher order equations.
I Non-homogeneous IVP.
I Recall: Partial fraction decompositions.
Homogeneous IVP.
Example
Use the Laplace transform to find the solution y (t) to the IVP
y 00 − y 0 − 2y = 0, y (0) = 1, y 0 (0) = 0.

Solution: Compute the L[ ] of the differential equation,

L[y 00 − y 0 − 2y ] = L[0] ⇒ L[y 00 − y 0 − 2y ] = 0.

The L[ ] is a linear function, so

L[y 00 ] − L[y 0 ] − 2 L[y ] = 0.
Derivatives are transformed into power functions,
h i h i
2 0
s L[y ] − s y (0) − y (0) − s L[y ] − y (0) − 2 L[y ] = 0,

We the obtain (s 2 − s − 2) L[y ] = (s − 1) y (0) + y 0 (0).

Homogeneous IVP.
Example
Use the Laplace transform to find the solution y (t) to the IVP
y 00 − y 0 − 2y = 0, y (0) = 1, y 0 (0) = 0.

Solution: Recall: (s 2 − s − 2) L[y ] = (s − 1) y (0) + y 0 (0).

L[ ]
Differential equation for y −→ Algebraic equation for L[y ].
Introduce the initial condition,
(s 2 − s − 2) L[y ] = (s − 1).
We can solve for the unknown L[y ] as follows,
(s − 1)
L[y ] = .
(s 2 − s − 2)
Homogeneous IVP.
Example
Use the Laplace transform to find the solution y (t) to the IVP
y 00 − y 0 − 2y = 0, y (0) = 1, y 0 (0) = 0.

(s − 1)
Solution: Recall: L[y ] = .
(s 2 − s − 2)
The partial fraction method: Find the zeros of the denominator,
(
1 √ s+ = 2,
s 2 − s − 2 = 0 ⇒ s± = 1 ± 1 + 8
 
⇒
2 s− = −1,
(s − 1)
Therefore, we rewrite: L[y ] = .
(s − 2)(s + 1)
Find constants a and b such that
(s − 1) a b
= + .
(s − 2)(s + 1) s −2 s +1

Homogeneous IVP.
Example
Use the Laplace transform to find the solution y (t) to the IVP
y 00 − y 0 − 2y = 0, y (0) = 1, y 0 (0) = 0.

(s − 1) a b
Solution: Recall: = + .
(s − 2)(s + 1) s −2 s +1
A simple calculation shows

(s − 1) a b a(s + 1) + b(s − 2)
= + =
(s − 2)(s + 1) s −2 s +1 (s − 2)(s + 1)
(
a + b = 1,
(s − 1) = s(a + b) + (a − 2b) ⇒
a − 2b = −1
1 2 1 1 2 1
Hence, a = and b = . Then, L[y ] = + .
3 3 3 (s − 2) 3 (s + 1)
Homogeneous IVP.
Example
Use the Laplace transform to find the solution y (t) to the IVP
y 00 − y 0 − 2y = 0, y (0) = 1, y 0 (0) = 0.

1 1 2 1
Solution: Recall: L[y ] = + . From the table:
3 (s − 2) 3 (s + 1)

1 1 1
L[e at ] = ⇒ = L[e 2t ], = L[e −t ].
s −a s −2 s +1

So we arrive at the equation

1 2t 2 −t
h1
2t −t

i
L[y ] = L[e ] + L[e ] = L e + 2e
3 3 3
1 2t
e + 2e −t .


We conclude that: y (t) = C
3

Homogeneous IVP.
Example
Use the Laplace transform to find the solution y (t) to the IVP
y 00 − 4y 0 + 4y = 0, y (0) = 1, y 0 (0) = 1.

Solution: Compute the L[ ] of the differential equation,

L[y 00 − 4y 0 + 4y ] = L[0] = 0.
The L[ ] is a linear function,
L[y 00 ] − 4 L[y 0 ] + 4 L[y ] = 0.
Derivatives are transformed into power functions,
h i h i
2 0
s L[y ] − s y (0) − y (0) − 4 s L[y ] − y (0) + 4 L[y ] = 0,

Therefore, (s 2 − 4s + 4) L[y ] = (s − 4) y (0) + y 0 (0).

Homogeneous IVP.
Example
Use the Laplace transform to find the solution y (t) to the IVP
y 00 − 4y 0 + 4y = 0, y (0) = 1, y 0 (0) = 1.

Solution: Recall: (s 2 − 4s + 4) L[y ] = (s − 4) y (0) + y 0 (0).

Introduce the initial conditions, (s 2 − 4s + 4) L[y ] = s − 3.
(s − 3)
Solve for L[y ] as follows: L[y ] = .
(s 2 − 4s + 4)
The partial fraction method: Find the roots of the denominator,
1 √
s 2 −4s +4 = 0

⇒ s± = 4± 16 − 16 ⇒ s+ = s− = 2.
2
(s − 3)
We obtain: L[y ] = .
(s − 2)2

Homogeneous IVP.
Example
Use the Laplace transform to find the solution y (t) to the IVP
y 00 − 4y 0 + 4y = 0, y (0) = 1, y 0 (0) = 1.
(s − 3)
Solution: Recall: L[y ] = .
(s − 2)2
This expression is already in the partial fraction decomposition.
Idea: Rewrite the right-hand side in terms of function in the table.
(s − 2) + 2 − 3 (s − 2) 1 1 1
L[y ] = = − = − .
(s − 2)2 (s − 2)2 (s − 2)2 s − 2 (s − 2)2
From the Laplace transforms table:
1 1
L[e at ] = ⇒ = L[e 2t ],
s −a s −2
n! 1
L[t n e at ] = (n+1)
⇒ 2
= L[te 2t ].
(s − a) (s − 2)
Homogeneous IVP.
Example
Use the Laplace transform to find the solution y (t) to the IVP
y 00 − 4y 0 + 4y = 0, y (0) = 1, y 0 (0) = 1.
1 1
Solution: Recall: L[y ] = − and
s − 2 (s − 2)2

1 1
= L[e 2t ], 2
= L[te 2t ].
s −2 (s − 2)

So we arrive at the equation

L[y ] = L[e 2t ] − L[te 2t ] = L e 2t − te 2t .

 

We conclude that y (t) = e 2t − te 2t . C

The Laplace Transform and the IVP (Sect. 6.2).

I Solving differential equations using L[ ].

I Homogeneous IVP.
I First, second, higher order equations.
I Non-homogeneous IVP.
I Recall: Partial fraction decompositions.
First, second, higher order equations.
Example
Use the Laplace Transform to find the solution of y (4) − 4y = 0,
y (0) = 1, y 0 (0) = 1, y 00 (0) = −2, y 000 (0) = 0.

Solution: Compute the L[ ] of the equation,

L y (4) − 4 L[y ] = 0.
 

s L[y ] − s 3 y (0) − s 2 y 0 (0) − s y 00 (0) − y 000 (0) − 4 L[y ] = 0.

 4 

 4
s L[y ] − s 3 + 2s − 4 L[y ] = 0 (s 4 − 4) L[y ] = s 3 − 2s,

⇒

s 3 − 2s
We obtain, L[y ] = 4 .
(s − 4)

First, second, higher order equations.

Example
Use the Laplace Transform to find the solution of y (4) − 4y = 0,
y (0) = 1, y 0 (0) = 1, y 00 (0) = −2, y 000 (0) = 0.
s 3 − 2s
Solution: Recall: L[y ] = 4 .
(s − 4)
s(s 2 − 2) s
L[y ] = 2 ⇒ L[y ] = .
(s − 2)(s 2 + 2) (s 2 + 2)
The last expression is in the table of Laplace Transforms,
s  √ 
L[y ] = √ 2
= L cos( 2 t) .
s2 + 2
√
We conclude that y (t) = cos( 2 t). C
The Laplace Transform and the IVP (Sect. 6.2).

I Solving differential equations using L[ ].

I Homogeneous IVP.
I First, second, higher order equations.
I Non-homogeneous IVP.
I Recall: Partial fraction decompositions.

Non-homogeneous IVP.
Example
Use the Laplace transform to find the solution y (t) to the IVP
y 00 − 4y 0 + 4y = 3 sin(2t), y (0) = 1, y 0 (0) = 1.

Solution: Compute the Laplace transform of the equation,

L[y 00 − 4y 0 + 4y ] = L[3 sin(2t)].

The right-hand side above can be expressed as follows,

2 6
L[3 sin(2t)] = 3 L[sin(2t)] = 3 = .
s 2 + 22 s2 + 4

Introduce this source term in the differential equation,

6
L[y 00 ] − 4 L[y 0 ] + 4 L[y ] = .
s2 +4
Non-homogeneous IVP.
Example
Use the Laplace transform to find the solution y (t) to the IVP
y 00 − 4y 0 + 4y = 3 sin(2t), y (0) = 1, y 0 (0) = 1.
6
Solution: Recall: L[y 00 ] − 4 L[y 0 ] + 4 L[y ] = .
s2 + 4
Derivatives are transformed into power functions,
h
2 0
i h i 6
s L[y ] − s y (0) − y (0) − 4 s L[y ] − y (0) + 4 L[y ] = .
s2 + 4
Rewrite the above equation,
6
(s 2 − 4s + 4) L[y ] = (s − 4) y (0) + y 0 (0) + .
s2 + 4
Introduce the initial conditions,
6
(s 2 − 4s + 4) L[y ] = s − 3 + .
s2 + 4

Non-homogeneous IVP.
Example
Use the Laplace transform to find the solution y (t) to the IVP
y 00 − 4y 0 + 4y = 3 sin(2t), y (0) = 1, y 0 (0) = 1.
6
Solution: Recall: (s 2 − 4s + 4) L[y ] = s − 3 + .
s2 + 4
(s − 3) 6
Therefore, L[y ] = + .
(s 2 − 4s + 4) (s 2 − 4 + 4)(s 2 + 4)
From an Example above: s 2 − 4s + 4 = (s − 2)2 ,
1 1 6
L[y ] = − + .
s − 2 (s − 2)2 (s − 2)2 (s 2 + 4)
From an Example above we know that
1 1
L[e 2t − te 2t ] = − .
s − 2 (s − 2)2
Non-homogeneous IVP.
Example
Use the Laplace transform to find the solution y (t) to the IVP
y 00 − 4y 0 + 4y = 3 sin(2t), y (0) = 1, y 0 (0) = 1.
6
Solution: Recall: L[y ] = L[e 2t − te 2t ] + .
(s − 2)2 (s 2 + 4)
Use Partial fractions to simplify the last term above.
Find constants a, b, c, d, such that
6 as + b c d
= + +
(s − 2)2 (s 2 + 4) s 2 + 4 (s − 2) (s − 2)2

6 (as + b)(s − 2)2 + c(s − 2)(s 2 + 4) + d(s 2 + 4)

=
(s − 2)2 (s 2 + 4) (s 2 + 4)(s − 2)2

6 = (as + b)(s − 2)2 + c(s − 2)(s 2 + 4) + d(s 2 + 4).

Non-homogeneous IVP.
Example
Use the Laplace transform to find the solution y (t) to the IVP
y 00 − 4y 0 + 4y = 3 sin(2t), y (0) = 1, y 0 (0) = 1.

Solution: 6 = (as + b)(s − 2)2 + c(s − 2)(s 2 + 4) + d(s 2 + 4).

6 = (as + b)(s 2 − 4s + 4) + c(s 3 + 4s − 2s 2 − 8) + d(s 2 + 4)

6 = a(s 3 −4s 2 +4s)+b(s 2 −4s +4)+c(s 3 +4s −2s 2 −8)+d(s 2 +4).

6 = (a + c)s 3 + (−4a + b − 2c + d)s 2

+ (4a − 4b + 4c)s + (4b − 8c + 4d).
We obtain the system

a + c= 0, −4a + b − 2c + d= 0,
4a − 4b + 4c= 0, 4b − 8c + 4d = 6.
Non-homogeneous IVP.
Example
Use the Laplace transform to find the solution y (t) to the IVP
y 00 − 4y 0 + 4y = 3 sin(2t), y (0) = 1, y 0 (0) = 1.

Solution: The solution for this linear system is

3 3 3
a= , b = 0, c =− , d= .
8 8 4
6 3 s 3 1 3 1
= − + .
(s − 2)2 (s 2 + 4) 8 s 2 + 4 8 (s − 2) 4 (s − 2)2
Use the table of Laplace Transforms
6 3 3 2t 3
2 2
= L[cos(2t)] − L[e ] + L[te 2t ].
(s − 2) (s + 4) 8 8 4
6 h3 3 2t 3 2t i
=L cos(2t) − e + te .
(s − 2)2 (s 2 + 4) 8 8 4

Non-homogeneous IVP.
Example
Use the Laplace transform to find the solution y (t) to the IVP
y 00 − 4y 0 + 4y = 3 sin(2t), y (0) = 1, y 0 (0) = 1.
6
Solution: Summary: L[y ] = L[e 2t − te 2t ] + ,
(s − 2)2 (s 2 + 4)
6 h3 3 2t 3 2t i
=L cos(2t) − e + te .
(s − 2)2 (s 2 + 4) 8 8 4

 2t 3 2t 3 i
L[y (t)] = L (1 − t) e + (−1 + 2t) e + cos(2t) .
8 8
We conclude that
3 3
y (t) = (1 − t) e 2t + (2t − 1) e 2t + cos(2t). C
8 8