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Laplace Transforms - Basic Definition

The document introduces Laplace transforms as a method of solving differential equations that may be too difficult to solve using other standard methods like separation of variables. It defines the fundamental rule of Laplace transforms as the integral from 0 to infinity of e^-st * y(t) dt, where L[y(t)] = Y(s). Two examples are given: 1) the Laplace transform of a constant C is C/s, and 2) the Laplace transform of a signal that is 0 for t < 4 and K for t > 4 is Ke^-4s/s.

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316 views2 pages

Laplace Transforms - Basic Definition

The document introduces Laplace transforms as a method of solving differential equations that may be too difficult to solve using other standard methods like separation of variables. It defines the fundamental rule of Laplace transforms as the integral from 0 to infinity of e^-st * y(t) dt, where L[y(t)] = Y(s). Two examples are given: 1) the Laplace transform of a constant C is C/s, and 2) the Laplace transform of a signal that is 0 for t < 4 and K for t > 4 is Ke^-4s/s.

Uploaded by

Akshay Kumar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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LT1.

1: LAPLACE TRANSFORMS
BASIC DEFINITION
In your study of Differential Equations so far you have probably solved first and second order
equations using methods such as separation of variables, substitutions, homogeneous equations,
and integrating factor technique.

Transforms are another means of solving some differential equations that may prove too difficult
to solve using the above mentioned methods.

Assumed knowledge for studying Laplace transforms: Differentiation


Integration
Partial fractions
Algebra & Transposition
Exponentials & Logarithms

The fundamental rule for Laplace Transforms is:


L[ y (t )] = Y (s ) = e
st
y (t )dt
0

e.g. 1
Determine the Laplace Transform of y (t ) = constant C using the basic definition.

Soln:

L[ y (t )] = e
st
.C dt
0

= C e st dt
0

1
= C . e st
s 0
C C
= .e .e 0
s s
e = 0 & e 0 = 1
C
= (0 ) 1
s
C
=
s

LT1.1 Laplace Transforms: Basic Definition Page 1 of 2 June 2012


e.g. 2
A signal that is graphed is given below:
f(t)

t
4

Determine the Laplace transform of the above signal.

Soln:
From the graph we define f (t ) as:

0 0t<4
f (t ) =
K t>4

Therefore the transform can be separated into 2 parts.

e
st
f (t )dt = e st
f (t )dt + e st f (t )dt
0 0 4
4
= e st (0 )dt + e st (K )dt
0 4

= 0 + K e st dt
4

1
= K .e st
s 4
K K
= .e .e 4 s
s s
K
= (0 ) .e 4 s
s
L[ f (t )]
K
= .e 4 s
s

LT1.1 Laplace Transforms: Basic Definition Page 2 of 2 June 2012

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