Proof Laplace Convolution Integral
Proof Laplace Convolution Integral
2. Convolution
Comparing equations (2) and (4) we see that
L(w ∗ f ) = W (s) · F (s). (5)
It appears that Laplace transforms convolution into multiplication. Tech
nically, equation (5) only applies when one of the functions is the weight
function, but the formula holds in general.
Theorem: For any two functions f (t) and g(t) with Laplace transforms
F (s) and G (s) we have
L( f ∗ g) = F (s) · G (s). (6)
Remarks:
1. This theorem gives us another way to prove convolution is commutative.
It is just the commutivity of regular multiplication on the s-side.
L( f ∗ g) = F · G = G · F = L( g ∗ f ).
Green’s Formula, Laplace Transform of Convolution OCW 18.03SC
2. In fact, the theorem helps solidify our claim that convolution is a type of
multiplication, because viewed from the frequency side it is multiplication.
Proof: The proof is a nice exercise in switching the order of integration. We
won’t use 0− and t+ in the integrals, since they would just clutter the expo
sition. It is an amusing exercise to put them in and see that they transform
correctly as we manipulate the integrals.
We start by writing L( f ∗ g) as the convolution integral followed by the
Laplace integral.
� ∞
L( f ∗ g) = ( f ∗ g)(t)e−st dt
0
� ∞� t
= f (t − u) g(u)e−st du dt.
0 0
tO tO
t=u t=u
/u /u
3. Integration Rule
If differentiation on the time side leads to multiplication by s on the
frequency side then we should expect integration in time to lead to division
by s. If f (t) is a function with Laplace transform F (s) then the integration
rule states:
t+ F (s)
�� �
L f (τ ) dτ = .
0− s
Proof: One way to prove this is using the t-derivative rule. Let’s be clever
and use convolution instead. The integral is exactly f (t) ∗ 1. Thus,
t+ F (s)
�� �
L f (τ ) dτ = L( f ∗ 1) = F (s) ∗ L(1) = .
0− s
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