1.

Laplace transforms
In mathematics , " transform" usually refers to a device which changes one kind
of function or equation into another kind. One attempts to design transforms
which change problems that we do not know how to solve into problems which
are to solve. This technique has proved very effective in solving differential
equations.Many different transforms have been invented. In this section we study
one of them, the Laplace transforms which are generally applied to complex
electrical circuits and mechanical systems.

Definition 1

The Laplace transform L{/(t)} of a function f(t) is defined to be

oo

Lf (O}= fe" sat =F(s)

0

whenever this integral exists. The integration variable is t. Hence the integral
defines a function of the new variable s.

Weshall also customarily use t as the variable of our original function and s as the
variable of its Laplace transform.

Definition 2

The inverse Laplace transform of F(s) is a function f(t) such that L{f(} =
F(s). If we denote the operation of taking a Laplace transform by L, and of
taking an inverse Laplace transform by 1”, then

L{f@O}=F(s) implies L" {F(s)} = fO

and conversely,

LA{F()}=fO implies
Lf}= FG)
Exercise 1

Using the definition of Laplace transform show the following.

@ Lit} = fe (s>0) (iii) L {Sinat}=
s
,

sta
Gi) For s>0, L{Cos(at)} =
Ss

S+a a (iv) Lew}

one
,
‘s>a
Note: It is shown by repeated integration that
|

I{i*} = oe
S
for any positive integer.

Theorem 1:
@) L{f(}) +g} = L{f®} + L{g(O} whenever all these transforms exists.
Hence L'U{fO}+LgO}= SO +O
(ii) For any real number
Hence
a
L'{al{f@}}=a flO.
,L{a f()}} = a L{f()} whenever both sides exists.

Exercise 2

Using above theorem find

(i) L{Sinhat}
(ii) L{4Sinh(Bt) - 182°}
(iii) LY? —8¢? +1}

Laplace transforms of basic functions are given below.

@ L{fO}

1 4

i
:

Ss

' s?
2!
a
=
nt”
ta
gu
a
Sin at
4,

s? +a?
at
Ss

sta
Cos ~

(Above formulas are valid for s > 0.)

°
1
ot
soa
a
Sinh at
s—a?

oS
Ss
Cosh at
s-a?
( The above three formulas are valid for s >a ).
 Exercise 3

irs
Using the definition of inverse Laplace transforms obtain the following.
pal ot
Os i Gtal tra} 1

(i)
on,
2
gor| oo?

fae
: 1, 38+5
ee c 1

{Grier Ders?

Theorem 2. : Ifais
any real number then
L{e“f()} = F(s-a) where F(s) = L{f(}

ie. Lie" £Q}= LEO} ,.-0

This is known as first translation theorem or Shifting property.

Exercise 4

Find the following.

OLe*P} Gi) Le" Cosa} Gi) ALG

s*(s+2)
(iv) L{e"Cos bt} (v) Lie“Sinbi} (vi) Lfe“Coshbt}
(vii) L{e"Sinh bt} (viii) L{Cosh atCos bt}

Laplace Transform of a Derivative

Our goal is to use the Laplace transforms to solve certain kind of differential

1S
2

o
.

equations. For that we need to evaluate quantities such as L{ } and .

if f’ iscontinuous then, for t>0

L{f'(O}= sF(s) ~ £0)
L{ f"O} =s° F(s)-sf(0)- f'O)

Exercise 5
Prove above two results.
—
Note:

,
f
In general

Lf} =8"F()— 8" FOS f'O) mer 0)

where F(s) = L{f(t}.

Solving differential equations using Laplace

transforms
In order to solve differential equations Laplace transforms of derivatives
are used.

Exercise 6

Solve the following.

(i) Bosy =e" subject to y(0) = 1.

Gi) y"-6y'+9y=t’e™238 subjectto y(0)=2, y'(0)=6

Gii) y"+4y'+6y—-l=e™ subject to y(0)=0, y'(0)=0
(iv) x"+1l6x=Cos4t subject to X(0)=0, x'(0)=1

Solving Simultaneous differential equations using

Laplace transforms

The Laplace transforms reduce a system of linear equations with constant coefficients to
asetof simultaneous algebraic equations in the transformed functions.

Exercise 7
Solve the following.
Gi) 2x'+y'-yp=t
x't+y'=t?
subjectto x(0)=1, y(0)=0
(ii)Mechanical system with two degree of freedom satisfies the equations mentioned
below. é

ty etfs
2
d 32 =4,
Z

~+ 0 . Use laplace transforms to determine x andy at

dt dt dt dt

any
.
instant given that x,
.

ee d
all vanish
.
at t=0.
 Some important theorems in laplace transforms

Theorem 3: uf Stadia) LFS) shes Ss

LAIRD =F),
0

Theorem4: If zy@}=rs) then Lif (0}=-£F): LS

Similarly,
HE SO}= GEO)
ds

In general Lf" f(O}=(—1)" SFO)

Exercise 8
Find the following.

(i) L{tCos

s
at} (ii) L{t? Sint} Gii) 7 texts}
a
+a’)
s(s°
hence find L*
lag
s’(s° +a°)
cas|

(iv) L1
“

lartay}

Theorem 5: ALO} Frcs a where F(s) = Lif} then

{£0 =f { [resus }.

Exercise 9
-2t
Sin2u
i, Sin3t
.
e
oy

Find laplace transform of (i) J (ii)

0

Theorem 6: If f(t) is periodic with period T>0, then

fef(t )at
If (t)}=
Ce)
Exercise 10

Find L{Sind\}.

Theorem 7: If U,(t) is defined as follows

,
0 jt<a
won| I ,t2a

then LIU, (t)}=2—=>

Ss
reba. S

Exercise 11

(Obtain the following

If (= LiF}
2
(a) k{U,(t)-U,(t)} then
(b) If g(Q) = U(t)—2U,, (1) —2U q(t) (tb
yg cscscene then . L{g(t)}

(iii) Obtain the graph of f()

= U,(A)t’.
(iv)For t>0 sketch the graphs of the following.
(a) fQ=U, Me"
)OSO=e"U,O-U,0}
é

f@=U, Me?

(v) Express the following function in terms of unit step functions.

IL, OSt<a
Fi) = 42
, ast<2a
3, 2a<t<3a
Hence find laplace of F(t).

Theorem 8: Second Shifting Property

If L{fO}=F(s), LU, OSt-@a}=eF(s).

 =e fe" fw)du =e" F()-
0

Exercise 12°

(J) A function f(t) is defined by

f@O=4 O<t<2
=2t-3 ,2<t
Sketch the graph of the function and determine its Laplace transform.

(2) Express the following in terms of unit step function.

8 ,t<2
(a) fO=_
asl
t-1 <t<2
w ro={ 2<t<3

(3) A resistance R, in series with inductance L, is connected with E(1) . The current i is
given
by,

Lot
di
Roi = Et
@
0G
Bo

If the switch is ‘connected at t=0 and disconnected at t=a , find the current i(f) in
terms of t.
_ ps
[eoeaee
“45

4) If f@=L" determine f(t) and sketch the graph of the function.

s *

Theorem 9: Convolution Theorem

If L{F(s)}=f@ and L{G(s)}=g@ then

LF (8). G(s)} = | Fge-u)du

10