19MAT116 – LAPLACE

TRANSFORM
Introduction to Laplace Transform:
Laplace transform is a mathematical tool which is used to
solve various kinds of engineering and mathematical problems.
It is used mostly by the science departments, engineering
departments to solve a particular type of problem.
Laplace transform was introduced by French mathematician
Laplace (1790). It is used to solve ordinary differential equations
(ODE).
In general, whenever we try to find the solution of an ODE,
we try to find out the general solution and from the general solution,
using the initial conditions (IC), we try to find out the values of
arbitrary constants.
 Whereas, if we use the Laplace transform, it simply converts
the ODE into an algebraic equation. So, in order to find the solution,
we have to solve only one algebraic equation which is basically very
easy to find.
Similarly, if we try to find out the solution of a partial
differential equation (PDE) using Laplace transform, it reduces the
number of independent variables by one so that the solution process
becomes easier.
Laplace transform: (Definition)
If f(t) is a function defined for all t ≥ 0, its Laplace
from t = 0 to ∞. It is a
 st
transform is the integral of f(t) times e
function of s, say, F(s), and is denoted by ℒ(f ); thus

F ( s ) L ( f ) e  st f (t ) dt
0

Here we must assume that f(t) is such that the integral exists
(that is, has some finite value).
Original functions are denoted by lowercase letters and their
transforms by the same letters in capital, so that ℱ(s) denotes the
transform of f(t), and G(s) denotes the transform of g(t) , and so on.
 

 f (t ) dt
 st
F
The given function f(t) in ( s ) L ( f (t ))  e is

called the inverse transform of ℱ(s) and is denoted by (F )

0
1
L ;
1
that is, we shall write f (t ) L (F ) .

L L  1 (F )  F L  1 L ( f )   f
Note that . & .

Also, note that the range of the integration is (0, ∞). From

this we can observe that the Laplace transformation

can be found for the function with the domain (0, ∞).
Example: Find the Laplace transformation of the function

f(t)=1 when t ≥ 0.

Solution: The Laplace transformation formula is


F ( s ) L ( f (t )) e  st f (t ) dt
0

Therefore,
  st 
e 1

 st
L (1)  e dt  
0 s 0
s

1  1
1
Hence, L (1)  & L   1
s  s
Example: Find the Laplace transformation of the function

f (t ) t when t ≥ 0.
Solution: The Laplace transformation formula is

F ( s ) L ( f (t )) e  st f (t ) dt
0

Therefore, L (t ) te
  st  
 st e e  st 1

dt  t   dt  e  st dt
0  s 0 0
 s s 
0

1  e  st 
  
s   s 0

1  1
L (t )  2 L  1  2  t
Hence, s & s 
Example: Find the Laplace transformation of the function
f (t ) t n when t ≥ 0.

Solution: The Laplace transformation  formula is

F ( s ) L ( f (t )) e  st f (t ) dt
0
  st  

Therefore,
 n  1  st
n n  1  st
L (t ) t e
n n  st
dt t n e  n
t e
dt  t e dt
0  s 0 0
 s s0
 st 
nn  1 t n  2 e  st
 
n n 1 e n(n  1) n  2  st
 t
s  s

s 
0
 s
dt 
s 2 
0
t e dt
0

n! n! 1
 n e  st dt  n .
s 0 s s

n n!  n!  n
L (t )  n 1 1
L  n 1  t
Hence, s & s 
Example: Find the Laplace transformation of the function
f (t ) e at when t ≥ 0.

Solution: The Laplace transformation formula is


F ( s ) L ( f (t )) e  st f (t ) dt
0

Therefore, L (e ) e e
   ( s  a )t 
e
at at  st
dt e  ( s  a )t
dt 
0 0
 ( s  a) 0

1
 , sa
s a

at 1  1 
Hence, L (e )  s  a
1 at
& L   e
 s  a 
Thank
You