Department of Mathematics

Module 3: Laplace Transforms and Inverse Laplace

Transform

 Definition, Laplace transforms of elementary functions,

 Properties of Laplace transforms (without proof).
 Laplace transform of periodic functions (without proof)
 Unit- step function and Dirac ’s delta function
 Inverse Laplace transform: Definition, transforms of standard
functions and properties,
 Convolution Theorem (without proof) and evaluation of inverse
Laplace transform using convolution theorem
 Solving ordinary differential equation using Laplace transform (initial
and boundary value problems)

3.1 Introduction
Laplace transform is an integral transform which is used in physics and engineering for analysis
of linear time-invariant systems such as electrical circuits, harmonic oscillators, optical devices,
and mechanical systems. It is used to solve differential and integral equations.
The Laplace transform is named after mathematician and astronomer Pierre-Simon Laplace, who
used a similar transform (now called Z transform) in his work on probability theory. The current
widespread use of the transform came about soon after World War II. In the linear mathematical
models for physical systems such as a spring/mass system or a series electrical circuit, the right
d 2q dq q
member or input of the ordinary differential equations L 2  R   V (t ) ,
dt dt c
d 2x
 kx  f t  is a driving function and represents either an external force f t  or an
dx
m 2 
dt dt
external voltage E t  .The driving force may be continuous or discontinuous. For example, the
impressed voltage on a circuit could be piecewise continuous and periodic. Solving the
differential equation of the circuit in this case is difficult but not impossible. The Laplace
transform is powerful tool in solving such problems where the driving force is discontinuous. It
is often interpreted as a transformation from the time-domain in which inputs and outputs are
functions of time to the frequency-domain, where the same inputs and outputs are functions of
complex angular frequency in radians per unit time.
 Department of Mathematics

The process of solving linear differential equations using Laplace transforms involves the
following steps:

 Apply Laplace transforms to the given differential equation so that it is transformed into
an algebraic equation.
 The algebraic equation is solved by purely algebraic manipulations.
 Apply the Laplace transforms to get back solution of given initial value problem.

The main idea which made the Laplace transform, a very powerful technique is that it replaces
operations of calculus by operations of algebra. In this chapter we will be looking at how the
Laplace transform transforms one class of complicated functions f t  to produce another class of
simpler functions F s  and also how to use Laplace transforms to solve differential equations.

3.2 Definition of Laplace Transform

Let f (t ) be a function of t , t  0 . And the Laplace transform of f (t ) denoted by
L  f (t )  F (s) is defined as L  f  t   F  s  

 e st f t  dt , where s is a parameter which
0
may be real or complex.
L is known as Laplace transform operator and it is linear operator with a real argument t (t ≥ 0)
that transforms f t  to a function F s  with real or complex argument s , And the original
function given function of f t  known as determining function depends on while the new
function to be determined F s  ,called as generating function depends only on s as the improper
integral on right hand side of above definition is integrated with respect to t .

3.2.1 Sufficient conditions for the existence of Laplace transform of given function

The Laplace transform of given function f t  exists if the following conditions are satisfied:

1. f t  is continuous or piecewise continuous.

2.  
lim e at f t  is finite
t 

Note: f t  A function f t  is called piecewise continuous on an interval if the interval can be

broken into a finite number of subintervals on which the function is continuous on each open
subinterval (i.e. the subinterval without its endpoints) and has a finite limit at the endpoints of
each subinterval. The following is the graph of piecewise continuous function.
 Department of Mathematics

3.2.2 Properties of Laplace Transforms

1. Linearity property: If  and  are constants and f (t ) and g (t ) are functions whose
Laplace transforms exist then L  f  t    g  t    L  f  t    L  g  t  .

2. Shifting property: If L  f (t )  F (s) then L eat f (t )  F ( s  a ) 

Change of scale property: If L f t   F s  then L f at   F s  .
1
3.
a

3.3 Laplace transforms of some Elementary Functions


e  st 
If f (t )  1 then L  f  t  
 1

 st
1. e 1. dt    , If s  0
0 s 0 s
1
 L 1  , s0
s

e  
 s a t
2. If f (t )  e at
 
then L eat    e st eat dt    e s  a t dt
0 0
 
  s  a   0

1
sa

 L e at  
1
, sa
sa

3. If f (t )  sin at then L sin at   e st sin at dt
0

eax
 eax sin bx dx   a sin bx  b cos bx 
a 2  b2
 Department of Mathematics

 e  st 
2 
Using this formula L sin at   e  st
sin at dt  2  s sin at  a cos at 
0 s a 0

 Lsin at 
a
s  a2
2


4. If f (t )  cos at then L cos at   e st cos at dt
0

eax
We have  eax cos bx dx   a cos bx  b sin bx 
a 2  b2

 e  st 
2 
Using this formula L cos at   e  st
cos at dt  2  s cos at  a sin at 
0 s a 0
s
 L cos at 
s  a2
2

 eat  e at  1
  L e   L e 
1
5. If f (t )  sinh at then L sinh at  L  at  at

 2  2 2
1 1 1 1 a
 .   2
2 sa 2 sa s  a2
a
 L sin h at  2 if s  | a |
s  a2
 eat  e at  1
  L e   L e 
1
6. If f (t )  cosh at then L cos h at  L  at  at

 2  2 2
1 1 1 1 s
  .  2
2 s  a 2 s  a s  a2
s
 L cos h at  2 if s  | a |
s  a2

7. If f (t )  t n , where n is real number different from non-negative integer then

n
 u  du
L t 
  1 
n  st
e t dt n
put st  u  sdt  du   u
e   .  n 1  e  u u n du
0 0
s s s 0

L tn   1
s n 1
  n  1

Note: If n is a positive integer   n  1  n !  L t n  

n!
, if n is a positive int eger.
s n 1
Problems:
 Department of Mathematics

1. Find the Laplace Transform of 3t 2  t  5 .

Solution:
2 1 1 6 1 5
L{3t 2  t  5} = 3L{t 2}  L{t}  5L{1} = 3  5 =  
s3 s2 s s3 s 2 s
2. Find the Laplace Transform of 3 e2t  2 e3t .

Solution:
L{3e 2t  2e 3t } = 3 L{e 2t }  2 L{e3t } = 3
1 1
2
s2 s3
3. Find the Laplace Transforms of cos 3 2t .

Solution:
1 3
L{cos 3 2t}  L {cos 6t}  L{cos 2t}
4 4
1 s  3 s 
  2   
4  s  36  4  s 2  4 
4. Find the Laplace Transforms of t.

Solution:
1  1 1
   1  
 2  2 2 
L{ t }  L{t } 
1/ 2
1
 3
 3
1
s2 s 2 2s 2
et 0  t 1
5. Find the Laplace transform of f (t )   .
0 t 1
Solution:
 1 
L{ f (t )}  0 e  st f (t ) dt   e st et dt   e st (0) dt
0 1

 
1

1  e  s 1
 ( s 1) t
1 e 1
 0 e  ( s1)t dt  
( s  1)  0 s 1

t / a 0t a
6. Find the Laplace transform of f (t )   .
 1 ta
 Department of Mathematics

Solution:

t  1 a 
L{ f (t )}   e st f (t ) dt  0 e st
a
dt  a e st (1) dt  0 e st t dt  a e st dt
0 a a
 
e st  e st 
a a
1  e st e st  1  t e st 1 e st 
  t  dt      . 
a s  s 0  s  a s s  s  0  s 
a a
1  ae  as 1 as 1  1 as
   2 e  2 e
a s s s  s
1
7. Find the Laplace Transforms of .
t
Solution:
 1
1 
    1
 
1  1
L  L t 2 
 t
  1
1
2  
 2
1
s

s 2
s2
sin 2t 0t 
8. Find the Laplace transform of f (t )  
 0 t 
Solution:

e  st 
L f t   0 e
 
 st
sin 2t dt   e  st
(0) dt  2 { s sin 2t  2 cos 2t}
s 4 0
1 2
 {e s (2)  1(2)}  2 (1  e s )
s 42
s 4

9. Find the Laplace transform of f t   sin 2t cos 3t .

Solution:
1
We have sin 2t cos 3t  sin 5t  sin t 
2
1  1 5 1 
L{sin 2t cos 3t}  L  sin 5t  sin t    2  2 
2  2  s  25 s  1
10. Find the Laplace transform of f t   5e 3t  1  2

Solution:

L 5e 3t  1   L25e
2 6t
 10e 3t  1   25

10
s6 s3 s

1
 Department of Mathematics

Find the Laplace transform of f t   2t  3  6 t .

3
11.

Solution:
L  2t  3  6t   L 8t 3  27  12t 2  18t  et log6 
3
 
3! 27 2! 18 1
8 4   12 3  2 
s s s s s  log 6
48 27 24 18 1
 4   3  3
s s s s s  log 6
3 3

12. Find the Laplace transform of f t   t 2
t .
2

Solution:
5  1
   
 3
3
t   5    1 
 2 2
L t 2 2

  s2

s 2
3
 2 
4 5 1

2
s s 2
13. Find the Laplace transform of f t   cos2t  3  cos 7t cos 3t .

Solution:
We have cos2t  3 = cos 2t cos 3  sin 2t sin 3 , cos 7t cos 3t   cos 10t  cos 4t
1
2
1
L cos  2t  3  cos 7t cos 3t    cos 3 L  cos 2t    sin 3 L sin 2t   L cos10t  cos 4t
2
s cos 3 2sin 3 1  s s 
 2  2   2  2 
s  4 s  4 2  s  100 s  16 
14. Find the Laplace transform of f t   1 cos 2t

Solution:
1 s
L 1  cos 2t   L 1  L  cos 2t    2
s s 4
15. Find the Laplace transform of f t   t t  15t 3  7 t

Solution:
 Department of Mathematics

 32 
 
L t t  15t  7   L t   15L t 3   L et log 7 
3 t

 
5
 
 5   4 
2 90 1
s s  log 7
s2
3  90 1
  4
5
s s  log 7
4s 2
3.4 Multiplication by t

If L{ f (t )}  F ( s ) then L{t f (t )}  (1) F ( s)

n n (n)

Proof:
 
L  f (t )   e-st f  t  dt  F (s)   e st f  t  dt
0 0

Differentiate with respect to s , both sides F /  s  

d
ds  e
0

 st
f  t  dt 

 e  st f  t   dt   t e st f  t  dt  
  
   e st t f  t  dt
0 s 0 0

F / (s)   L{tf (t )} Therefore true for n = 1.

Assume that the result is true for n=m

(1)m F ( m) ( s)  L{t m f (t )}   1 F  m  s    e st t m f  t  dt
m
0

Differentiate with respect to s , both sides

 1
m
F
m 1
s 
d
ds  e

0
 st
t m f  t  dt   0
   st m
s
e t f  t   dt
 
  t e st . t m f  t  dt   e st . t m1 f  t  dt
0 0

  1 e st t m1 f  t  dt  L{t m1 f (t )}
m1
F ( m1) (s)  0

Therefore true for n = m + 1 and hence true for all +ve integers.

3.4 Division by t

 f t   
If L  f (t )  F (s) then L    F ( s) ds
 t 
s

Proof:
 Department of Mathematics


We have F (s)  
0
e st f (t ) dt
Integrating w r t s

    e ds dt  

       e  st 
 F ( s) ds  e f  t  dt ds   f (t )
st  st
f (t )   dt
s s 0 0 s 0
 t s
  e st  
 st f (t )  f (t ) 
 0 f (t ) 0  dt  0 e dt  L 
 t  t  t 
 f t   
L   s F ( s) ds
 t 
3.5 Transform of Integrals

0
t
 1
If L{ f (t )}  F ( s ) then L  f (u ) du  F ( s )
s 
Proof:
t
Let g (t )   0
f (u) du  g (0)  0 and g / (t )  f (t )

L{g / (t )}  l{ f (t )}  sL{g (t )}  g (0)  L{ f (t )}  s L  f (u) du  0  F (s)

t

L  f (u) du  F s s 
t

Problems:

t 2
16. Find L{e t }

Solution:
2! 2!
We have L{ t 2 }   L{et t 2 } = using shifting property
s 3
( s  1) 3
2t 2
17. Find L{e sin t}.

Solution:
1  cos 2t  1 1 1 1 1 s
L{sin 2 t}  L    L{1}  L{cos 2t}  
 2  2 2 2 s 2 s2  4
1 1 ( s  2)
 L{e 2t sin 2 t}   using shifting property
2 ( s  2) 2 ( s  2) 2  4
 Department of Mathematics

2
18. Find L{t sin at}.

Solution:
 a 
2
a 2 d
{L sin at}   F ( s )  L {t 2
sin at}  ( 1) 2  2 
s a
2 2
ds  s  a 2 
d  a   2a (a 2  3s 2 )
  2 . 2 s  
ds  ( s  a 2 ) 2  (s 2  a 2 )3
19. Find L{t 2 cos t}.
Solution:
s
L{cos t}  2  F ( S )  L{t 2 cos t}  (1) 2 F // (s)
s 1
( s 2  1)  s (2s) s 2  1  2s 2 1 s2
F ' ( s)    2
( s 2  1) 2 ( s 2  1) 2 ( s  1) 2
( s 2  1) 2 (2s)  2 (1  s 2 ) ( s 2  1) 2s 2s ( s 2  3)
F // ( s)   2
( s 2  1) 4 ( s  1) 3
2s ( s 2  3)
 L{t 2 cos t} 
( s 2  1) 3
 cos at  cos bt 
20. Find L  .
 t 
Solution:
 cos at  cos bt   cos at   cos bt 
L .  L    L 
 t   t   t 
s  cos at   s
L{cos at}  2  L   s 2 ds
s a 2
 t  s  a2
k
k s log ( s 2  a 2 )  1 k 2  a2
 lim
k  s s2  a2
ds  lim
k 
  lim log
s2  a2
2  s 2 k 
 cos bt  1 k 2  b2
Similarly L   lim log 2
 t  2 k  s  b2
 cos at  cos bt  1 k 2  a2 1 (s 2  a 2 ) 1  s 2  b2 
 L   lim log  log  log  2 
2 
 t  2 k  k 2  b2 2 s2  b2 2 s a 
1  cos t 
21. Find L  .
 t 
2

Solution:
 Department of Mathematics

1 s 1  cos t    1 s 
L{1  cos t}   2 L   s   2  ds
s s 1  t   s s  1

k  s
 lim
k 1
 2
s s 1
s
 k 
ds  lim log s  log s 2  1 s  lim log
k  k 

k
k 2 1
 log
s 

s2 1

s s2 1
  log  log
s2 1 s
1  cos t  k s2 1
Now, L 
 t
2   lim
 k  s
 log
s
ds
k
k k  s 2s 
 lim s log s 2  1 ds  lim s log s ds  lim log s 2  1 . s   ds 
k  k  k 
 s 2  1 2 s 2  1  s
k
 
k
 1  2 s2
 lim log s . s   s ds   lim  s log s 2  1   2 ds   lim [ s log s  s ]ks
k 
 s  s k   2 s  1  s k 
 lim s log
k 
 
k
s 2  1  s  tan 1 s s  lim [ s log s  s ]ks
k 


 k   s log s 2  1  s  tan 1 s  k  s log s  s
2
 
 s2 1

  s log s 2  1  s log s  tan 1 s  cot 1 s  s log  
2 
 s  
22. Find L  u cos au du.
t

Solution:
s
L{cos at}   F (s)
s  a2
2

s2  a2
 L{t cos at}  (1) F / ( s) 
(s 2  a 2 ) 2

 L 0 t
u cos au du 
1 s2  a2

s (s 2  a 2 ) 2
 t sin u 
23. Find L   du  .
 0 u 
Solution:
 Department of Mathematics

L{sin t} 
1  sin t 
L    lim 
k 1
ds  lim tan 1 s s
k
  lim tan 1 k  tan 1 s
s 1  t  k  s  1
2 2 k 
s k 

  sin t   t sin u  1
  cot s  L 0
1
  tan 1 s L  du   cot 1 ( s )
2  t   u  s
t
24. Find L{e sin t cos 2t}.

Solution:
 sin 3t  sin t  1 1 1 3 1 1
L{sin cos 2t}  L    L{sin 3t}  L{sin t}  
 2  2 2 2 s  9 2 s2 1
2

3 1 1 1
L{e t sin t cos 2t}   using shifting property
2 ( s  1)  9 2 ( s  1) 2  1
2

2t
25. Find L{e sin 4t}

Solution:
4 4
We have L{sin 4t}   L{e  2t sin 4t}  2  F ( s)
s  16
2
( s  2) 2  16
2t d  4  4 . 2 ( s  2)
 L{t e sin 4t}  (1)' F ' ( s)  1   
ds  ( s  2)  16  (( s  2) 2  16) 2
2

8 ( s  2)

[( s  2) 2  16]2
 e at  ebt 
26. Find L  .
 t 
Solution:
1 1 sbsa ba
L{e at  e bt }    
s  a s  b ( s  a ) ( s  b) ( s  a ) ( s  b)
 e  at  e bt 
ds  lim log ( s  a)  log ( s  b) s
k 1 1
  lim  
k
L
 t  k  s
sa sb k  

 sb
 lim log (k  a)  log (k  b)  log ( s  a)  log ( s  b)  log  
k 
sa

27. Find L  e t

0
u
cos u du . 
Solution:
s
L{cos t} 
s 1
2
 Department of Mathematics

 L{et cos t} 
s 1
( s  1)  1
2
t
 
 L  e u cos u du 
0
1 s 1
s {( s  1) 2  1}
 1
28. Show that  0
e  t t sin t dt  .
2
Solution:
1 d  1  1
L{sin t}   L{t sin t}    2  2 . 2s
s 1 2
ds  s  1  ( s  1) 2
  1 1
L{t sin t}  0 e  St t sin t dt  0 e t t sin t dt  . 2 (1) 
(1  1) 2
2


29. Find the value of  0
e2t sin3 t dt .
Solution:
 3 1
0 e  st sin 3 t dt  L{sin 3 t} 
4
L {sin t}  L {sin 3t}  sin 3t  3 sin t  4 sin 3 t
4
  st 3 1 1 3
0 e sin t dt  4 s 2  1  4 s 2  9
3

 2t 6
Put s  2 , 0 e sin t dt 
3

65

  4t sin 3t 
30. Evaluate L e
 t  .
Solution:
3
L[sin 3t ] 
s 9 2

 sin 3t   3 3 s  s s
L   2 ds  tan 1 | s   tan 1  cot 1
 t  s s 9 3 3 2 3 3
 sin 3t  s4
 L e 4t   cot 1 .
 t  3
31. Evaluate Lcos at sinh at  .
Solution:
  e at  e  at 
L[cos at sinh at ]  L cos at  
  2 
1 
1

L e at cos at  e  at cos at   
sa
2  s  a   a

sa
2 
2 2 2
s  a   a 
2
 Department of Mathematics

3.6 Laplace Transform of Periodic Functions

Periodic function:

A function f t  is said to be periodic function of period T>0

if f t  nT   f t  where n=1, 2, 3….

A periodic function has regular repetitive behavior.

Example: sin t , cos t are periodic functions of period 2

1
Theorem: If f (t ) is a periodic function with period T, then L  f (t )  e  st f  t  dt .
T

1  e  sT 
0

Proof:

Given f t  is periodic function of period T i.e. f t  T   f t 


L f t    e st f t dt
0


L f t    e  st f t dt   e  st f t dt
T
0 T

Let t  u  T  dt  du

When t  T , u  0 and t  , u  


L f t    e st f t dt   e s u T  f u  T du
T

0 0

 L f t    e  st f t dt   e  su e  sT f (u)du
T

0 0

 L f t    e st f t dt  e sT  e su f (u)du
T

0 0

 L f t   e st f t dt  e sT L f (t )  L f t (1  e sT )   e st f t dt

T T

0 0
 Department of Mathematics

 L f t   e  st f t dt
1 T
 sT 0
1  e 
Problems:

32. Find the Laplace transform of the periodic function f (t )  t 2 , 0  t  2 with period
T = 2.

Solution:

1  2 e  st  2 
2
1 2
t dt  t   0 e  st t dt 
2
0
 st
L{ f (t )}  e 2

1  e 2 s 1  e 2 s   s  0 s 

1  4e 2 s 2  test  2 1 2 
       e st dt 
1  e 2 s   s s   s 0 s 0 
1   4e 2 s 2  2e 2 s e 2 s 1 
      
1  e 2 s  s s  s  s 2 s 2 

1   4e 2 s 4e 2 s 2e 2 s 2 
  2  3  3
1  e 2 s  s s s s 


2
s (1  e 2 s )
3
1  (1  2s  2s 2

) e 2 s .

 E sin t , 0  t  / 
33. Find the Laplace transform of f (t )    2
 0 , t 
  
Solution:
2
We have the period T 

 /
1  / E  e st 
 L{ f (t )}  0 E sin t e  st
dt  2  2 [ s sin t   cos t 
s 
2 2

1 e


s
1 e 
 s
0


E

2s
1
s 
2 2

E s /  ( )  1( ) 
1 E
E
2s / 
(s   )
2 2

E s /   1  
1 E 



E E s /   1  E
2 
(1  E s / 
) (1  E s / 
) ( s   ) 1  E  ( s 2   2 )
2 s /
 Department of Mathematics

Half wave rectifier wave form:

 E 0t  a E  as 
34. If f (t )   prove that L{ f (t )}  tan h  
  E a  t  2a s  2
Solution:
We have the period T  2a
L{ f (t )} 
1 e
1
 2 as 0
2a
e  st f (t ) dt 
1 e
1

 2 as 0
a 2a
e  st E dt  a e  st ( E ) dt 

E
1  e 2 as 0

a  st
e dt  a
2 a  st
e dt 
E  e  as 1  e 2 as e  as  
  
1  e  2 as   s s   s
 
s 


E
 2 as
s (1  e )
 
 e as  1  e 2 as  e as 
E
s (1  e 2 as )

1  e 2 as  2e as 
(1  e  as ) 2 E 1  e  as

E
s (1  e 2 as )

1  e 
 as 2

E 1

s (1  e as ) (1  e as ) s 1  e as
E e as / 2  e  as / 2 E  as 
  as / 2
 tan h  
s e as / 2
e s  2

 t 0t a
35. Find the Laplace transform of f (t )   . with period T  2a .
 2a  t ta
Solution:
L{ f (t )} 
1
1 e
2a
 2 as 0
e  st f (t ) dt 
1
1 e  2 as 0

a  st 2a
e t dt  a e  st (2a  t ) dt 
 test 1 a
 
2a
1  st  e st 1 st
  e   ( 2a  t )
s s
   e (1) dt  
1  e 2 as   s s 0  a 

1   test e st  a  e st e st  

2a

   2    (2a  t )  2  
1  e 2 as  s s 0  s s a 


1
1 e  2 as
1
s2
 
1  e as as  1  e as  as 2  1 
 as 2
(1  e )

1
s 1  e 
2  2 as
e 2 as  2e as  1  2
s (1  e as ) (1  e as )
 Department of Mathematics

1 1  e  as 1 e as / 2  e  as / 2 1  as 
 as
 2 as / 2 as / 2
 tan h  
s 1 e
2
s e e s2  2

3.7 Unit Step Function and Unit Impulse Function

The use of the unit step function and unit impulse function make the method of solving
differential equations by using Laplace transforms powerful for problems with inputs that have
discontinuities or represent short impulses or complicated periodic functions.

3.7.2 Unit Step function (Heaviside’s function)

The Unit step function also called Heavy side's unit step function H t  is defined as
0 t  0
H t   
1 t  0

0 t  a
The displaced unit step function H  t  a  is defined as H  t  a   
1 t  a

3.7.3 Heavy side shift theorem (Second shifting theorem)

Theorem: If L{ f (t )}  F ( s) then L{ f (t  a) H (t  a)}  e as F (s)

Proof:
L  f (t  a) H  t  a  

 e
 st
f t  a  H t  a  dt
0

f  t  a  H  t  a  dt  e st f t  a  H t  a  dt
a
 e  st

0 a
 Department of Mathematics


e st f  t  a  0 dt  e st f t  a  1. dt
a
  0 a
Put t  a  u  dt  du when t  a  u  0 as t    u  
L  f (t  a) H  t  a  
 
f u  du  e as  e su f  u  du  e as F (s)
 s u  a 

0
e
0

Note: It is possible to express discontinuous function f t  in terms of unit step

 f1 (t ) ,0  t  a

I. If f (t )   f 2 (t ) , a  t  b , then
 f (t ) , t  b
 3
f (t )  f1 (t )  { f 2 (t )  f1 (t )} H (t  a)  { f3 (t )  f 2 (t )} H (t  b).
 f t , t  a 
If f t    1  then f t   f1 t    f 2 t   f1 t ut  a
 f 2 t , t  a 
II.

Problems:

36. Find L{et H (t  1)}.

Solution:

We write e t  e t 11  e1 e (t 1)

1
 L {e  (t 1) H (t  1)}
e
1 1 1 e  ( s1)
 e s  s1 
e s  1 e (s  1) s 1

2t 0t 
37. If f (t )   . Express f (t ) in terms of unit step function and hence
1 t 
find its Laplace transform.

Solution:
L{ f (t )}  L{2t}  L{(1  2t ) H (t   )}

Take 1  2t  1  2t  2  2 = 1  2  2 (t   )
 Department of Mathematics

2 e s 1 1
 L{ f (t )}  L{2t}  L{(1  2t ) H (t   )}  2
  2 e s 2  2e s
s s s s

t 2 1 t  2
38. If f (t )   . Express f (t ) in terms of unit step function and hence find
4t t2
its Laplace transform.
Solution:

0 0  t 1

We can take f (t )  t 2 1 t  2
4t t2


 f (t )  0  (t 2  0) H (t  1)  (4t  t 2 ) H (t  2)

L{ f (t )}  L{t 2 H (t  1)}  L{( 4t  t 2 ) H (t  2)}

    
 L (t  1) 2  2t  2 H (t  1)  L 4  (t  2) 2 H (t  2) 
2! 2e  s e  s 4e 2 s e 2 s 2!
 e s  2   
s3 s s s s3

39. Find the Laplace transform of t 2 H t  4

Solution:

Let f t  3  t 2  f t   t  4  t 2  8t  16
2

L f t    F s 
2 1 16
3
8 2 
s s s

2 16 
 L f t  3H t  3  e 3s  3  2  
8
s s s

cos t 0t 

40. If f (t )  cos 2t   t  2 . Express f (t ) in terms of unit step function and
cos 3t t  2

hence find its Laplace transform.
Solution:
 Department of Mathematics

f (t )  cos t  {cos 2t  cos t} H (t   )  {cos 3t  cos 2t} H (t  2 )

We have
cos 2 (t   )  cos (2t  2 )  cos (2  2t )
cos 2(t   )  cos 2t
cos (t   )  cos (  t )   cos t
cos t   cos (t   )
cos 3 (t  2 )  cos (3t  6 )  cos (6  3t )
cos 3 (t  2 )  cos 3t ,
cos 2 (t  2 )  cos (2t  4 )  cos (4  2t ), cos 2(t  2 )  cos 2t
 f (t )  cos t  {cos 2 (t   )  cos (t   )} H (t   ) 
{cos 3 (t  2 )  cos 2 (t  2 )} H (t  2 )
s  s s   2s  3s 2s 
 L{ f (t )}  2  e s  2  2 e  2  2 
s 1  s  4 s  1 s  9 s  4
0 t0

41. Find the Laplace transform of f (t )   E 0  t  a.
0 ta

Solution:

We have f (t )  0  ( E  0) H (t  a)  (0  E ) H (t  a)  E H (t )  E H (t  a)
E Ee  as E
 L{ f (t )}    (1  e  as )
s s s
cos t 0t 

42. If f (t )  1   t  2 . Find the Laplace Transform of f (t )
sin t t  2

Solution:

We have f (t )  cos t  (1  cos t ) H (t   )  (sin t  1) H (t  2 )

cos (t   )   cos t , sin (t  2 )   sin (2  t )  sin t
 f (t )  cos t  (1  cos (t   )) H (t   )  {sin (t  2 )  1} H (t  2 )
s e s s s e 2s e 2s
 L{ f (t )}    e  
s2 1 s s2 1 s2 1 s
 Department of Mathematics

3.8 Laplace Transforms of Unit Impulse function (Dirac–Delta function):

We come across many phenomena of impulsive nature, such as the action of forces or voltages
over short intervals of time, for example if a mechanical system is hit by a hammer blow, an
airplane makes a hard landing, a ship hit by a single high wave and so on. These phenomena can
be mathematically modeled by using Dirac Delta function or unit impulse function and can be
solved efficiently by using Laplace Transforms.

3.8.1 Definition:
The Dirac Delta function or the unit impulse function is defined as
1
 a  t  a 
  (t  a)   
 0 otherwise

As  o we observe that  such that area is always 1 i.e   (t  a) dt  1

0

3.8.2 Laplace Transform of Dirac Delta function

 a 
1
Now  f (t ) (t  a) dt  
0 a
f (t ) dt  f ( )

where a    a  


As   o we get  f (t ) (t  a) dt  f (a)
0
 

If f (t )  e  st
then  e st (t  a) dt  e  as i.e L  (t  a)    e  st (t  a) dt  e  as
0 0

Problems:
1 
43. Find L   (t  a) 
t 
 Department of Mathematics

Solution:
We know L  (t  a)  eas

1  1
L   (t  a )    e  as ds  e  as
t  s a
44. Find L cosh 3t  t  2  
Solution:
cosh 3t t  2  e 3t  e 3t  t  2
1
2
1
2
 1
2

 L e 3t  t  2   e 3t  t  2    L t  2 s  s 3  L t  2 s  s 3 

2

 e s  s 3  e s  s 3  e
1 2 s 2 s
 
1  2  s 3 
2
e 
2s 3

2

e 2 s 6
e  e 6 

 2  t  1  6  t  2  
45. Find L  
 t 
Solution:
L2 t  1  6 t  2  2e  s  6e 2 s .
 2  t  1  6  t  2     s
   (2e  6e )ds
2 s
L
 t  s
 2e  s  3e 2 s

3.9 Inverse Laplace Transforms

3.9.1 Introduction
So far the Laplace Transform has been studied with an expression for F (s ) given by


e
 st
f (t ) dt  F ( s) where f (t ) is the given original function and F (s ) is its Laplace
0

Transform. Now, to find the original function f (t ) , the inverse of a given function F (s ) has
been found. This is slightly different process than taking Laplace Transform, which was quite
straightforward.
 Department of Mathematics

3.9.2 Definition: Inverse Laplace Transform:

The solution of the operator equation L[ f (t )]  F ( s) whenever it exists is called the inverse
Laplace transform of F (s ) and is denoted by L1 [ F ( s)] .
Thus L1[ F (s)]  f (t ) L1 is known as the inverse Laplace Transform operator and is such that
L1 L  LL1  1 . From the table of Laplace transforms of elementary functions by using
definition and Linearity property we can obtain a table of inverse Laplace transforms.

Sl No Laplace Transform Inverse Laplace Transform

1 1 
1 L 1   L1    1
s s

 1 
L e at  
1
2  L1  e
at

sa s  a

 1  1
Lsin at 
a
3  L1  2 2 
 sin at
s  a2 s  a  a
2

s  s 
4 L cos at   L1  2 2
 cos at
s  a2 s  a 
2

a  1  1
5 L sin h at   L1  2 2 
 sinh at
s  a2 s  a  a
2

s  s 
6 L cos h at   L1  2 2
 cosh at
s  a2 s  a 
2

  n  1 1 t n 1
7 L t n
  L1  n  
s n 1  s   n

L{ f (t  a) H (t  a)}  e as F (s)  L e F ( s )  f (t  a) H (t  a)
1  as
8

9 Lt f (t )  F s   L1 F ( s)  t f (t )

 Department of Mathematics

10
 f (t ) 
L
 t 
 
s

F ( s ) ds  L1 
s


F ( s ) ds 
f (t )
t

11 L  f (u) du  F s(s)

t

0
 F (s) 
 L1 
 s 
 
0
t
f (u ) du

3.9.3 Use of Partial Fraction:

Now we use some of the above companion formulas to find the inverse Laplace transform. The
most general method of finding the inverse transform of any function is to decompose the given
function into partial fractions. Using linearity of L1 , we write the inverse transform of each
fraction involved.

Problems:
1
46. Find the inverse Laplace transform of the function .
2s  9
2

Solution:
1 1 1
 
2s  9
2
 9  2

2  s 2   2  s 2   3  
 2   2  

 
 
1  1  1 1  1  1  3  2 1  3 
L  2  L  2 
 sin  t  sin  t
 2s  9  2  2  3   2  2  3 3 2  2 
 s   2  
   
s 1
47. Find the inverse Laplace transform of the function 2 .
s  s 1
Solution:
3 3
 s
s 1 s 1 s 1 2 2
. = 
s2  s 1 1 1  1
2
3  1  3
2 2
s  s 1 
2
 
4 4  s 
4 
s     
2 2   2 
 Department of Mathematics

 s 1  3 1 3 2
 L1  2 t / 2
  e cos t  e t / 2 sin t
 s  s  1 2 2 2 3
 s 1   3 1 3 
 L1  2 e
t / 2
cos t sin t
 s  s  1  2 3 2 
s
48. Find the inverse Laplace transform of the function .
s  4a 4
4

Solution:

s s s s
. 2 2  2  2
s  4a
4 4
( s )  ( 2a )
2 2
( s  2a )  2 ( s ) (2a ) ( s  2a )  (2as ) 2
2 2 2 2

s s
 2  2
( s  2a  2as) ( s  2a  2as)
2 2 2
( s  2a )  (2as ) 2
2

1  1 1  1  1 1 
  2  2    
4a  s  2a  2as s  2a  2as  4a  ( s  a) 2  a 2 ( s  a) 2  a 2 
2 2

 1  e sin at e sin at  sin at at


e  e at  
at at
s sin at
 L1  4      sinh at
 s  4a  4a 
2
4
a a  4a 2a 2
4s  5
49. Find the inverse Laplace transform of the function
( s  1) 2 ( s  2)
Solution:
4s  5 A B C
Let    .
( s  1) ( s  2) s  1 ( s  1)
2 2
s2
4s  5 1/ 3 3  1/ 3
  
( s  1) ( s  2) s  1 ( s  1)
2 2
s2
 4s  5  1 t 1  2t
 L1    e  3e t  e
t

 ( s  1) ( s  2)  3
2
3
5s  3
50. Find the inverse Laplace transform of the function
( s  1) ( s 2  2s  5)
Solution:
5s  3 A Bs  C
  2 .
( s  1) ( s  2s  5) s  1 s  2s  5
2

5s  3 A Bs  C
Let   2 .
( s  1) ( s  2 s  5) s  1 s  2s  5
2

 A ( s  2s  5)  ( Bs  C ) ( s  1)  5s  3
2

This becomes
 Department of Mathematics

5s  3 1 2s
  2
( s  1) ( s  2 s  5) s  1 s  2 s  5
2

 5s  3  1  s2 
 L1  e L 
t
2
 ( s  1) ( s  2s  5)   ( s  1)  2 
2 2

 ( s  1)  3  1  s 1  1  3 
 e t  L1    e t
 L    3 L  2
 ( s  1)  2   ( s  1)  2   ( s  1)  2 
2 2 2 2 2

sin 2t
 e t  e t cos 2t  3e t
2
3s  5 2
51. Find the inverse Laplace transform of the function 2 .
s 8
Solution:

3s  5 2 s 1
.3 2 5 2 2
s 8
2
s  (2 2 ) 2
s  (2 2 ) 2
 3s  5 2  5
 L1  2   3 cos 2 2 t  sin (2 2 t )
 s 8  2
s2
52. Find the inverse Laplace transform of the function .
s  4s  13
2

Solution:
s2 s2 s24 s2 1
= 2 = =  4
s  4s  13 s  4s  4  9 s  2  3 2 s  2  3 2
2 2 2
s  22  32
 s2  2 t sin 3t
 L1  2   e cos 3 t  4 e
2t

 s  4 s  13  3
 
 s 
Find L1  
 
53.
2
 2
 s a
2 


Solution:

Let F s    f t   sin at
1 1
s a
2 2
a
2s     
F ' s      
 L1 F ' s   2 L1 
s  1 
  tf t   2 L  2
s 

s 2
a 
2 2

 s a
2 2

2

 
 s a
2

2


 Department of Mathematics


 
 t
  f t  
s t
 L1  sin at
 2

 s a
2

2

 2 2 a
1  2s
54. Find the inverse transform of
s  22 s  12
Solution:
1  2s A B C D
Let    
s  2 s  1 s  2 s  2 s  1 s  12
2 2 2

1  2s  1/ 3 1/ 3
 
s  2 s  1 s  2 s  12
2 2 2

 1  2s  1 1
L1  2 
  e  2t t  e t t
 s  2  s  1 
2
3 3

3.9.4 Shifting Property:

1
If L [ F (s)]  f (t ) then L1[ F ( s  a)]  e at f (t )  e at L1[ F ( s)]

3s  1
Find the inverse transform of
55. s  14
Solution:

 3s  1  t 1  3( s  1)  1 t  1  1  1  1   t  t
2
t3 
L  1
4 
e L  4 
 e 3L  3   2 L  4   = e 3  
 ( s  1)   ( s  1)   s   s   2! 3 
s 1
s  6s  25
56. Find the inverse transform of 2

Solution:
 s 1  1  s 1 
L1  2 L 

 s  6s  25   
 ( s  3)  16 
2 

Using shifting property,
 s  3 1 3t 1  s  2   3t  1 
 e 3t L1  2 e L  2   e cos 4t  2 sin 4t 

 s  16   
 s  16    
 Department of Mathematics

3.9.5 Transform of integrals:

 F ( s) 
t
1  F ( s ) 

t t

If L F (s)  f (t ) , then L 
1 1
  f (t )dt . Also L  s 2   
  f (t ) dt dt and
 s  0 0 0 
t t t
 F ( s)     
L1  3      f (t )dt dt dt
 s  0  0  0  
 1 
Find L1 
57.

 s 2 s 2  a 2 
.

Solution:
  1
 2 1  cos at
1
We have L1  2 2 2 

s s  a  a 
t
 1  t 1  cos au 1  sin au  1  sin at 
1
L  2 2 2 
 .du  2  u    2 t  

s s  a  0 a 2
a  a 0 a  a 
 1 
58. Find L1  3
 ss  a  
2
1  at t
Solution: Let F ( s)   f ( t )  e
s  a 3 2!
 1  t au u 2 t 2 e at te at e at 1
 L1  3

 ss  a   0
 e
2
du 
 2a
 2  3  3
a a a

3.9.6 Multiplication by t:

 d F s 
 n

If L F s   f t  then L 
1 1
 =  1 .t . f t  , n = 1,2,3,………..
n n


 ds
n


 
1  s 
Find L  .
 
59.
2
 2
 s a
2 

Solution:
Let F s   2  f t   sin at
1 1
s a 2
a
1 
 

F s   2s   L1 F s   2 L1 
s


s a
2 2
2
 
 s a 
2 2 2

 Department of Mathematics

   
1     t
 t. f t   2 L    f t  
s s t
 L1 
 2
 s a 

2 2
   2
 s a
2
 

 2 2 a
sin at


 1  s 2  b 2 
 1
Find L  log
60.
 2 2  
 2  s  a 
 
Solution:
Let F s  
1
2
 
log s 2  a 2  F s   2
s
s b 2
 2
s
s  a2
We have L
1
F s   cos bt  cos at
cos at  cos bt
 t. f t   cos bt  cos at  f t  
t
1  1  2 
61. Find L tan  2 .
  s 
Solution:
  2   1  s 2

L1 tan 1  2 .  L cot  
1

 s    2 
 s2  1 1  4s
Let F s   cot    F s  

1
 2 2s 
  s  2
1   
2
2  s2
2
  2

 2
1 1 1 
 4s   
4  s  1  1 s  1  1
2 2

s
F s  
s

s  1  1 s  12  1
2


 L1 F s   e t sin t  e t sin t  t. f t   sin t e t  e t
 f t  
sin t t
t
e  e t 
3.9.7 Division by t:
  f t 
If L F s   f t  then L   F s .ds  
1 1

s  t
 s 
Find L1  2 
 
62.
 s 2  a 2 
 Department of Mathematics

Solution:
 
Let f t   L1 
s

 2
 s 2  a 2  
By using the above property,
 f t 
  
s 1 2s 1 1 
L   ds   ds    2 
 t  s s2  a2
2

2 s s2  a2   
2
2  s  a2 s
 f t   1 1 f t  1 1  1  sin at
L     L  2 
 t  2 s a 2  s  a2 
2 2
t 2a

Hence f t  
1
t. sin at
2a
3.9.8 Computation of the inverse of e-as F(s):
We have L
1
 f t  aut  a  e as F s 
 L1 e  as F s   f t  a ut  a   L1 e  as F s   f t  a H t  a 

 
Find L1 e s
s
62.
2 .
 s  1
Solution:
 s 
L1 e s 2   cost   H t   
 s  1
 1
63. Find L1 e  s .
 s3 
Solution:
 1  t  1
L1 e  s 3   H t  1
 s  2!

3.9.9 Miscellaneous Problems:

1  2s  1 
64. Find L  2 
 s  4s  29 
Solution:
 2s  1   2s  1   2s  2  5 
L1  2   L1  1
L  
 s  4s  29   s  2  25   s  2  25 
2 2

 2s  5    s   5 
 e 2t L1  2 2   e 2t 2 L1  2 2   L1  2 2  
s 5   s 5   s  5 
 Department of Mathematics

 2s  1 
Thus L1  2   e  2t 2 cos 5t  sin 5t 
 s  4 s  29 
 
e 3s 
1 
Find L 
5
64. .
 s  4 
 2
Solution:
Let F s  
1
s  4 2
5

n  1 t n1
Lt n  
1
we have  L1   n
s n1 s  n
t  4 2
3
t  3  42 ut  3
3

 L1 F s   e  4t 1
L e  3 s

F s   e  4 t  3 

5 5
   
2 2
 1 
Find L1 
65.
 
 s s 2  a 2  
Solution:
Let F s    f t   sin at
1 1
s a 2 2
a
t
1 
t
We have L1  F s    sin au.du  
1 1 cos au

1
1  cos at 
s  0a a a 0 a2
  1
 2 1  cos at 
1
 L1  2 2 

s s  a  a 
 
 1 
Find L1  .
 
66.
2
 2
 s a
2 

Solution:
 1  1 s 
L1  2 
 L1  2 

 s 2  a 2   s s  a 
2
 
We know that
 s  t
L1  2 2 

 
sin a
 s  a  2a
 Department of Mathematics


1 s 

t
u 1
t
 L1   
 sin au .du  0 u sin au.du

 s s2
 a 2 2

 0
2 a 2 a

1   u cos au cos au   t cos at t

t t t
1 sin au
  du   
2a  a a  2a 2
a 2a a 2
0 0  0

 t cos at t sin at
  
2a 2 a 2a 3
 1  1 
67. Find L1  sin  .
 s  s 
Solution:
We have the series expansion of sin x as
x3 x5 x7
sin x  x     ..............
3! 5! 7!
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
 sin        ......
 s  s 3! s
3
5! s 5 7! s 7
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
 sin    2     .....
s s s 3! s 4 5! s 6 7! s 8
 1  1  t 1 t 3 1 t 5
 L1  sin       ..................
 s  s  1! 3! 3! 5! 5!

  1  s 
68. Find L1 log  .
  s 
Solution:

We have
F s   log 1  s   log s
F s     L1 F s   e t  1
1 1
s 1 s
1  et
 t. f t   e t  1  f t  
t
Find L1 log
 s  a  
69. 
 s  b  
Solution:

Let F s   log s  a  log s  b

 Department of Mathematics

 F s    L1 F s   e  at  e bt

1 1

sa sb
e bt  e  at
 t. f t   e  at
e bt
 f t  
t
 e 3s 
70. Find L1  
 s  42 
Solution:

 e 3s  4t 3

L1  2
e t  3H t  3
 s  4 

 s 

1  se 2   e s 

Find L 
2 
71. .
 s 2
  
 

Solution:

 s

  e   1  e  s  
s s
1  se
2
1 se
2

L  2 L  2 2 
L  2 2 
 s   s    s   
2

 

 1  1
 cos   t   H  t    sin  t  1H t  1
 2  2

 1 
Find L1 
s 
72. .
s  e 
Solution:
 
   e s  1 
1
1  1  1  1  1  
L  s 
L  s 
 L 1   
s  e   s 1  e   
  s  s

  s 
  
 1  e  s e 2 s e 3s e 4 s 
 L1  1   2  3  4  ................ 
s  s s s s 
 Department of Mathematics

1 e  s e 2 s e 3s e 4 s 
1
L   2  3  4  5 
s s s s s 

 1  t  1H t  1 
t  22 H t  2  t  3 H t  3  ............
2! 3!

3.9.10 Convolution Theorem

Definition:
The convolution of f t  and g t  denoted by f t  * g t  i.e.,
(Note: * is commutative)
t
f t  * g t    f u .g t  u .du
0

Theorem

If L f t   F s  and Lg t   Gs  then L f t  * g t   F s Gs 

Proof:
t    u t 
L f t  * g t   L  f u g t  u .du    e  st   f u g t  u .du .dt
0  t 0 u 0 
By changing the order of integration
   
L f t  * g t    e
 st
f u g t  u .dtdu   f u   e
 st
g t  u dtdu
u  0 t u u 0 t u

Put t  u  v  dt  dv when t  u  v  0 as t  , v  
    
  su   sv 
   f u e   g ( v ) e   F s G s 

u 0  
v o 

 L f t  * g t   F s Gs 
t
Note: L1 F s .Gs   f t  * g t    f u g t  u .du
0
 Department of Mathematics

73. Verify convolution theorem for the functions t and e t .

Solution:
We have F s   2 and G s  
1 1
s s 1
Now F s  G s   2
1
,
s s  1

 L  f  t  * g  t   F  s  G  s  
1 1 1 1
 2  2  F sG s
s  1 s s s  s  1
f t * g t    t  u eu du  [t  u eu   1eu ]t0  et  t  1
t

74. Verify convolution theorem for the function f t   t and g t   cos t

Solution:

We get e F s   and G s   2  Fs  G s  

1 s 1
s 2
s 1 s s 1
2
 
f t  * g t    t  u cos udu  [t  u sin u   1 cos u ]t0  1  cos t
t
Now
0

L f t  * g t    F s G s 
1 s 1 1
 2  
s s  1 s s s  1
2

s
s  1
75. Find the inverse Laplace transform of the function using convolution
s  1 2 2

theorem.
Solution:
t
We use L1 F s .Gs   f t  * g t    f u g t  u du
0

F s   andG s    f t   cos t and g t   e t t

s 1
s 1
2
s  12


L1F s Gs    cost  u eu udu   u cost  u eu du
0
t

u

 1cost  u    1sin t  u  0   2 cost  u   sin t  u du

t e
e u
u
t

11 t 0
 Department of Mathematics

tet
t t
  1  0  1  eu cost  u .du   sin t  u eu .du
2 20 0

 tet 1  e u 
  cost  u    e u .du 
2 2 1 
 te t 1 e u u
   cost  u   sin t  u t0  1 e  sin t  u   cost  u t0
2 2 2 2 2
t t t
 te
 
e
 1  cos t  sin t  e 1  sin t  cos t
2 4 4 4 4
 te  t 2 sin t  s  sin t  te  t
 L1 

2

4   
 s  12 s 2  1  2

s2
76. Find the inverse Laplace transform of the function using
(s 2  a 2 ) (s 2  b2 )
convolution theorem.
Solution:

Let F s   and and g t   cos bt

s
s  a2
2

t
L1F s Gs    cos au. cos bt  u .du
0
t
cosau  bt  bu  cosau  bt  bu.du
1
2 0


t t
  cosau  bt  bu .du   cosau  bt  bu .du
1 1
20 20
1 sin au  bt  bu  1 sin au  bt  bu 
t t
1 sin at 1 sin bt 1 sin at 1 sin bt
     
2 a b 0 2 ab 0 2 a b 2 ab 2 a b 2 a b
sin at 2a sin bt  2b  s2  a sin at  b sin bt
 L1 

2 a2  b2

2 a2  b2 
 s 2  a 2 s 2  b 2  
 a2  b2
 Department of Mathematics

1
77. Find the inverse Laplace transform of the function using convolution
s 2
 a2 
2

theorem.
Solution:
Let F s   and G s   2  f t   and g t  
1 1 sin at sin at
s a
2 2
s a 2
a a
t t
L1F s Gs   sin au. sin t  u a.du  2  cosau  at  au   cosau  at  au .du
1 1
2 
a 0 2a 0
1 sin 2au  at 
t t
1
 2
 2 cos at.u
2a 2a 0 2a 0


1
3
sin at  sin at   1 2 cos at.t  sin at
3

t cos at
4a 2a 2a 22
1
 
78. Find the inverse Laplace transform of the function using convolution
s  1 s 2  1
theorem.
Solution:

Let F s   and G s   2  f t   e t and g t   sin t

1 1
s 1 s 1
e u
t
L1F s Gs  
1 u
 e sin t  u du   sin t  u   cost  u t0
a0 11
e t  sin t  cos t
 e t 1   sin u  cos t  
1 1
2 2 2
s
79. Find the inverse Laplace transform of the function using convolution
s 2
 a2 
2

theorem.
Solution:

Let F s   and G s   2  f t   cos at and g t  

s 1 sin at
s a2 2
s a 2
a
t t
L1F s Gs    sin au cost  u .du   sin au  at  au   sin au  at  au .du
1 1
a0 2a 0
1  cos2au  at 
t t t t

sin 2au  at .du 

1 1 sin at
 
2a 0
sin at.du  
2a 0
u 
2 a 0 2a 2a 0
 Department of Mathematics

t  2 cos at  cos at 
sin at 1

2a 4a
 1  t
L1  2
 sin at
 
 s 2  a 2  2a
s2
80. Find the inverse Laplace transform of the function using convolution
s 2
a 2 2

theorem.

Solution:

Let F s   and G s    f t   cos at and g t   cos at

s s
s 2
a 
2 2 s  a2
2

t t
L1F s Gs    cos au cos at  u .du  cosat  au  au   cosat  au  au .du
1
0
2 0
t t t
cosat  au  au   cosat  au  au .du   cos at.du   cosat  2au .du
1 1 1

20 20 20
1 sin at  2au 
t t
1
 cos at.u 
t
 cos at 
1
 sin at  sin at 
2 0 2  2a 0 a 4a
 s2  t 1
L1  2 
 cos at  sin at

 s 2  a 2   2 2a

3.9.11 Solving ordinary differential equations (ODEs) using Laplace

Transforms.
Procedure:
 Laplace transform method of solving differential equations yields particular solutions
without the necessity of first finding the general solution and then evaluating the arbitrary
constant and in non homogeneous ODEs without first solving the corresponding
homogeneous ODE.
 More importantly, the use of the unit step function and Dirac’s delta function make the
method particularly powerful for problems with inputs (driving forces) that have
discontinuities.
 Department of Mathematics

 For instance, in the linear mathematical models for physical systems such as spring mass
d 2x
 kx  f t 
dx
system ,the governing ODE is m 2  
dt dt
Where , f t  represents external force and is a discontinuous function.

Solving this DE is difficult but not impossible. This can be solved by using Laplace
transform.

3.9.12 Derivative of Laplace Transform:

1. If f t  be continuous and L f t   f s  ,then L f t   sF s   f 0.
Proof:
 
 
L f t    e  st f t .dt  e  st f t  0    s e  st f t .dt


0 0

Now assuming f t  to be such that lt e

 st
f t   0 When this condition is satisfied, f t 
t 

is said to be of exponential of order s.


Thus, L f t   f 0  s  e  st f t .dt  sF s   f 0.
0

2. If f t  and its first n  1 derivatives be continuous, then

 
L f n t   s n F s   s n1 f 0  s n2 f 0  ...........  f n1 0
Proof:

L f n
t    e st f n t .dt
0

 f n 1
0  sf n2 0  s 2 f n3 0  ......  s n1 f 0  s n . e st f t .dt
0

 
 L f n t   s n F s   s n1 f 0  s n2 f 0  s n3 f 0  .......  f n1 0
Note:
Let Y  Lyt  then we have
Lyt   sY  y0
Ly t   s 2Y  sy 0  y 0
Lyt   s 3Y  s 2 y0  sy0  y0
 Department of Mathematics

81. Solve y   4 y   3 y  e t , y0  1  y 0.

Solution:

Let Lyt   Y s   Lyt   sY s   y0  sY s   1

Lyt   s 2Y s   sy 0  y0  s 2Y s   s  1
We have y  4 y  3 y  e

 Ly  4 Ly  3Ly 

1
s 1
s 2Y s   s  1  4sY s   s  1  3Y s  
1
Or
s 1
s 2  4s  4 A B C 1 7 7
Y      
 
s  1 s  4s  3 s  1 s  3 s  1 8s  1 8s  3 4s  1
2 2

Taking inverse Laplace transform

e t 7 3t 7 t
y t    e  e
8 8 4

82. Solve y   4 y   3 y  e t , y0  1  y 0

Solution:

Let Lyt   Y s   Y
Given y  4 y  3 y  et , y0  1  y0
Taking transform on both sides
Ly t   4 Ly t   3Ly t  
1
s 1

s 2Y  sy 0   y 0   4sY  y 0   3Y 
1
s 1

Y
s 6s  6
2
 

s 2  6s  6 
s  1s  1s  3 s  12 s  3
Resolving into partial fractions

7/4 1/ 2  3/ 4
Y  
s  1 s  12
s  3 Taking inverse Laplace transform
 Department of Mathematics

7 1  1  1 1  1  3 1  1 
y t   L   L   L  
4  s  1 2  s  12  4  s  3 

y t  
7  t 1  t 3  3t
e  te  e
4 2 4

83. Solve y  2 y  3 y  sin t , y0  y0  0

Solution:

Given y  2 y  3 y  sin t, y0  y0  0

 Ly 2 Ly 3Ly 

1
s 1
2

s 2Y  sy 0  y0  2sY  y 0 3 y 

1
s 1
2

1 1
Y 
  
s  2s  3 s  1 s  3s  1 s 2  1
2 2
 
1 A B Cs  D
Let Y     2
 
s  3s  1 s  1 s  3 s  1 s  1
2

After resolving into partial fractions and taking inverse transforms

 1 3t 1 t 1
y t  
1
e  e  cos t  sin t
40 8 10 5

84. Solve y  y  H t  1, y0  0, y0  1.

Solution:
Given y  y  H t  1, y0  0, y0  1.

 Ly Ly  e  s
1
s
es e s e s
s 2Y  sy 0  y0  Y 
1
 s 2Y  1  Y 
s s
Y  

s2 1 s s2 1 
t
 1  1 1 
t
Now L  2   sin t  L1  2    sin u.du   cos  1  cos t
1

 s  1  s s  1 0 0

 es 
L1  2   1  cost  1H t  1  yt   sin t  1  cost  1H t  1

 s s 1  
 Department of Mathematics

t
85. Solve y   2 y   y.du  sin t , y0  1
0
Solution:
t
Given y  2 y   y.du  sin t , y0  1
0
t
Ly 2Ly L  y.du  sY  y0  2Y  Y  2
1 1 1
0
s 1
2
s s 1
s ss 1
3
s 3  2s A B Cs  D
Y     2
s  1 s  1
2 2 2

2

s  1 s  1 s  1 s  1 s  1
2

After resolving into partial fractions

3 1
1 2  2
Y 
s  1 s  12 s 2  1
Taking inverse transforms
y t   e t  tet  sin t
3 1
2 2

86.  
Solve D 2  n 2 x  a sin nt  a  given x  Dx  0 when x  0

Solution:

Given x  n 2 x  asin nt cos   cos nt sin  

Taking transform on both sides
Lx ''  n 2 x  a cos  2
n s
 a sin  2
s n 2
s  n2
s 2 X  sx 0  x ' 0  n 2 X  a cos  2
n s
 a sin  2
s n 2
s  n2
s 2  n 2 X  a cos  s 2 n n 2  a sin  s 2 s n 2
n s
X  a cos  2  a sin  2
(s  n )
2 2
(s  n2 )2
   
xt   a cos L1  2
n s
2 2
 a sin L1  2 2 2
 (s  n )   (s  n ) 
 Department of Mathematics

xt   a cos 
1
3
sin nt  nt cos nt   a sin  t sin nt .
2n 2n

3.10 Exercise

Questions
SI.No Answers

162 216 144 64 1

 3  2  

Find L 3t  4   5
3 t
 s 4
s s s s  log 5

1 7 3 
Find Lsin 5t  cos 2t   2

2  s  49 s  9 
2

3
 1  3 3 3 
Find L  t    2 s   
 4s s
2
1.  t s 2s s
1 1 ( s  1) 

Find L e t cos 2 3t   
2  s  1 ( s  1) 2  36 
 1 1 

Find L t 3 cosh t  3 
( s  1) 2 
 ( s  1)
2

 sin 2 t  1  s 2  4 
Find L   log
 t  2  s 


e t sin t 
2 Evaluate 0 t dt 4

cos 6t  cos 4t
3. Evaluate 
0
t
dt log( 2 / 3)

Find Laplace Transform of

3t 0  t  2 1  3  3e 2 s  6e 4 s 
4 f (t )    ,where f (t ) is a  
6 2  t  4 1  e 4 s  s2 
periodic function of period 4
Find Laplace Transform of
3t 0  t  2 1
5 f (t )    ,where f (t ) is a s
6 2  t  4 1  e ( s 2  1)
periodic function of period 2
 Department of Mathematics

Express the function in terms of Heaviside unit function

and hence find its Laplace Transform 1  2 e2 
6 e 2t
0  t  1  e s   
f (t )    s2  s s 2
2 t 1 
Express the function in terms of Heaviside unit function
and hence find its Laplace Transform 1 1 1 
7 t 0  t  4  e 4 s   2 
s s 
2
f (t )    s
5 t4 
8 
Find L t 4 (t  3)  81e 3s
 s5 
9. Find L1  2 e 3t (cos 2t  4 sin 2t )
 s  6s  13 
 s2 
10 Find L1  
1

1  6t  e 3t 
 s ( s  3) 
2
9

11 
Find L1 cot 1 s / a   sin at
t
  s2  4  e bt  e  at
12 Find L1 log  
  s ( s  4)( s  4)   t
 s  t sinh at
13 Find L1  
 ( s  a ) 
2
2 2
2a
 3e 3s e  s 
14 Find L1   2 3.u (t  3)  (t  1)u (t  1)
 s s 
Verify Convolution for the functions f (t )  sin t and 1
15
g (t )  e t
( s  1)( s  1)
2

Verify Convolution for the functions f (t )  cos at and s2

16.
g (t )  cos bt ( s 2  a 2 )( s 2  b 2 )
 1 
17 Find L1  2 
,Using Convolution Theorem
1
1  cos at 
 s( s  a ) 
2
a2
 
18 Find L1 
1
 ,Using Convolution Theorem 
1 t
e  sin t  cos t 
 ( s  1)( s  1) 
2
2
Solve the initial Value Problem by using Laplace
19 d2y dy e t  (t  1)e 2t
transform 2
 4  4 y  e t ; y (0)  0  y (0)
dt dt
 Department of Mathematics

Solve the initial Value Problem by using Laplace

1 2t 23 2t
20 d2y dy e  e  4e 3t
transform 2  5  6 y  5e 2t ; y (0)  2, y (0)  1 4 4
dt dt