Laplace Transforms

An integral transform named after its

discoverer Pierre-Simon Laplace. It takes a
function of a real variable t (often time) to
a function of a complex
variable s (frequency). It is a useful and
powerful method for solving linear
differential equations arising in
engineering mathematics.

F. L. Marcos 1
 Laplace Transforms
It consists essentially for three steps:
1. The given differential equation is transformed
into an algebraic equation which is called
subsidiary equation.
2. Then the latter is solve by purely algebraic
manipulations or simplifications.
3.Finally the solution of the subsidiary equation is
transformed back. So that it becomes the required
solution of the original differential equation.
F. L. Marcos 2
 Definition
Let f(t) be a given function which is defined for
all positive values of t. we multiply f(t) by e-st and
integrate with respect to t from 0 to ∞. Then if the
resulting integral exists, it is a function of s, say F(s);
where s is a parameter which may be recall or complex.
𝑁 −stf ∞ -st
F(s) = lim 0 e (t)dt = 0 e f(t)dt
𝑁→∞
The function F(s) is called the Laplace
Transform of the original function f(t) and will be
denoted ʆ(f). Furthermore, the original function f(t) is
called the Inverse Laplace Transform and will be
denoted as ʆ-1(F).
F. L. Marcos 3
Example:
1. By definition, determine the function f(t) = 1,
when t>0.
Solution:
∞ -st
ʆ(1) = 0
𝑒 (1)dt
∞ -st
= 0
𝑒 dt
let u = −st
du = −sdt
1 ∞ u
Then, ʆ(1) = − 0 𝑒 du
𝑠
F. L. Marcos 4
 1 ∞
ʆ(1) = −𝑠 𝑒𝑢
0
1 ∞
= −𝑠 𝑒 −𝑠𝑡
0
1 1 ∞
=− 𝑠 𝑒 𝑠𝑡 0
1 1 1
=− −
𝑠 𝑒∞ 𝑒0

1
=− 𝑠
0−1

𝟏
ʆ(1) = answer
𝒔
F. L. Marcos 5
2. Find the Laplace transform of f(t) = 𝑒 𝑎𝑡 .
Solution:

F. L. Marcos 6
continuation

F. L. Marcos 7
3. Find the Laplace transform of f(t) = sin bt.
Solution:

F. L. Marcos 8
continuation

F. L. Marcos 9
continuation

F. L. Marcos 10
4. Find the Laplace transform of the rule function
2, 0<t<5
f t = 0, 5 < t < 10
𝑒 2𝑡 , 𝑡 > 10
Solution:

F. L. Marcos 11
continuation

F. L. Marcos 12
Laplace Transform Table
f(t) F(s)
1 1/s
t 1/s2
eat 1/ s-a
tn n! / sn+1
cos bt s / s2 + b2
sin bt b / s2 + b2
cosh bt s / s2 - b2
sinh bt b / s2 - b2
F. L. Marcos 13
Properties of Laplace Transform:

Linearity Property
ʆ [ af1 (t) + bf2 (t) ] = a ʆ [ f1 (t) ] + b ʆ [ f2(t)]
= a ʆ f1 + b ʆ f2

The result is easily extended to more than two

functions. Because of the above property, the
Laplace transform is also called a linear operator.

F. L. Marcos 14
Example:
1. Find the Laplace transform of f(t) = 2t + 3.
Solution:
ʆ(2t + 3) = ʆ(2t) + ʆ(3)
= 2ʆ(t) + 3ʆ(1)
1 1
= 2 s2 +3 s
2+3s
= s2
𝟏
ʆ(2t + 3) = 𝐬 𝟐 (2+ 3s) answer
F. L. Marcos 15
2. Find the Laplace transform of f(t) = t - cos5t.
Solution:

F. L. Marcos 16
3. Find the Laplace transform of f(t) = t 3 - 8 t 5 + 1.
Solution:

F. L. Marcos 17
 2
4. Find the Laplace transform of f(t) = (sin t−cos t) .
Solution:

F. L. Marcos 18
5. Find the Laplace transform of f(t) =4sinh3t−18e−5t .
Solution:

F. L. Marcos 19
Exercise:
Prove that ʆ(cosh bt) = s / s2 - b2 using Linearity
Property

F. L. Marcos 20
First Shifting Property
Theorem: if ʆ(f) = F(s) when s>a, then ʆ[𝑒 𝑎𝑡 f(t)] = F(s-a), that
is, the substitution of (s-a) for s in the transform corresponds
to the multiplication of the original function by eat.
Proof:
By definition
∞ −𝑠𝑡
F(s) = 0
𝑒 𝑓 𝑡 𝑑𝑡
And therefore:
∞ − 𝑠−𝑎 𝑡
F(s-a) = 0 𝑒 𝑓 𝑡 𝑑𝑡
∞ −𝑠𝑡 𝑎𝑡
F(s-a) = 0 𝑒 𝑒 𝑓 𝑡 𝑑𝑡
F(s-a) =ʆ[𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝑓 𝑡 ] F. L. Marcos 21
 Example:
1. Find the Laplace Transform of f(t) = e−3t cos5t.
Solution:
s
Since ʆ(cos5t) = s2 +(5)2

−3t s+3
then, ʆ(e cos5t) =
(s+3)2 +(5)2

−𝟑𝒕 𝐬+𝟑
ʆ(𝒆 cos5t) = (𝐬 𝟐 +𝟔𝐬+𝟑𝟒)
answer
F. L. Marcos 22
2. Find the Laplace transform of f(t) = t 3 e5t .
Solution:

F. L. Marcos 23
3. Find the Laplace transform of f(t) = e−3t sint.
Solution:

F. L. Marcos 24
4. Find the Laplace transform of f(t) = et cosh 2t.
Solution:

F. L. Marcos 25
5. Find the Laplace transform of f(t) =2t 2 e−t − sin2 t.
Solution:

F. L. Marcos 26
6. Find the Laplace transform of f(t) =2e−7t − te−7t .
Solution:

F. L. Marcos 27