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The Unit Step Function

The document discusses unit step functions and their use in Laplace transforms. It defines the unit step function U(t) and how it can be used to "switch on" or "switch off" functions over intervals. Examples are given of expressing different functions using unit step functions. The key properties discussed are that the Laplace transform of f(t-a)U(t-a) is e^-asF(s) and the Laplace transform of U(t-a) is e^-as/s. Formulas are provided for writing functions in terms of unit step functions and taking their Laplace transforms.

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rcarlos_810803
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© © All Rights Reserved
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375 views

The Unit Step Function

The document discusses unit step functions and their use in Laplace transforms. It defines the unit step function U(t) and how it can be used to "switch on" or "switch off" functions over intervals. Examples are given of expressing different functions using unit step functions. The key properties discussed are that the Laplace transform of f(t-a)U(t-a) is e^-asF(s) and the Laplace transform of U(t-a) is e^-as/s. Formulas are provided for writing functions in terms of unit step functions and taking their Laplace transforms.

Uploaded by

rcarlos_810803
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Unit Step Functions and Laplace Transforms

Department of Mathematics, Sinclair Community College, Dayton, OH 1


The Unit Step Function, U, is like a switch that turns a function on or off over a specified
interval. By definition,
U =
0 < 0
1 0



For example, consider the product U. The function is turned off when < 0 and
turned on when 0. This happens because if < 0, U = 0 = 0, and if 0,
U = 1 = .

In general, the unit step function for Laplace transforms is defined as
U =
0 0 < <
1



Example:
Suppose = U 2

. Then for < 2, U 2 = 0


and = 0

= 0. For 2, U 2 = 1 and
= 1

.


Example: Suppose we want the function =

only to exist on the interval [2, 3). Note that


U 2 =
0 0 < < 2
1 2

and U 3 =
0 0 < < 3
1 3


Now lets investigate U 2 U 3.
< 2 U 2 U 3 = 0 0 = 0
2 < 3 U 2 U 3 = 1 0 = 1
3 U 2 U 3 = 1 1 = 0

So, U 2 U 3

will equal

only on the
interval [2, 3).

Department of Mathematics, Sinclair Community College, Dayton, OH 2
From the previous example, suppose a function is defined as follows:
=
2 0 < < 2
1 2 < 3
1 3


We wish to express in terms of the unit step functions U 2 and U 3. If < 2,
both U 2 and U 3 are equal to zero. If 2 < 3, U 2 = 1 and U 3 = 0;
so = 2 3U 2 = 1. If 3, both U 2 and U 3 are equal to one, and
since = 1 when 3, the function becomes = 2 3U 2 + 2U 3.

Example: This time, suppose =
0 < 2

2

. Express in terms of unit step functions.
If 1 < 2, U 1 = 1 and U 2 = 0, so
= U 1 U 2
If 2, U 1 = 1 and U 2 = 1, so
= U 1 U 2 +U 2



General Formulas
In general, if =
0 <


, then = U + U .
Also,
=
0 <
<


= + U + U
= 1 U + U U + U

Example: Write the function =
2 0 < 1
1 < 3

3

in terms of unit step functions.
Using the general formula from above,
= 21 U 1 +U 1 U 3 +

U 3
Department of Mathematics, Sinclair Community College, Dayton, OH 3
Laplace Transforms
If = L and > 0, then
L U =


If we let = 1, then the Laplace transform of the unit step function is
LU =



Example: Calculate the Laplace transform of the function defined by
=
2 0 < < 2
1 2 < 3
1 3


From earlier, we know that = 2 3U 2 + 2U 3. So,
L = L2 3LU 2 + 2LU 3 =
2

+
2















Department of Mathematics, Sinclair Community College, Dayton, OH 4
1
a b
1
1
Exercises: Write the following functions in terms of unit step functions. Then find the Laplace
transform of each function.
1. =
1 0 < < 2
1 2

2. =
2 0 < 5
0 5 < 7
2 7

3. =

0 < 1
+ 2 1


4. =
0 0 <
3
2
cos
3
2

5.
=
6.
=
7. Find L

+ 5U 3.


Answers:
1.
= 1 2U 2;
1

1 2


2.
= 2 2U 5 2U 7;
2


3.
=

U 1

+ U 1 + 2;
2

+
3

+
4


4.
= U
3
2
cos ;

+ 1

5.
= 1 U + U ;
1


6.
= U 1 + U 1 1;
1


7.
2

+
11

+
24

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