UNIT- IV

LAPLACE TRANSFORMS

4.2 Definition of Laplace Transform

Let ( ) be a function of defined for > 0 then the Laplace Transform of ( ) is defined as

∞
[ ( )] = ( ) = ( )

Provided the integral exists.

Here s is the parameter which may be real or complex. L is called the Laplace transform operator.

4.3 Condition for Existence of Laplace Transform

If ( ) is piece wise continuous in the interval ( , ) if the interval can be divided into finite number
of subintervals such that in each of the subinterval ( ) is continuous and has finite right and left
hand limits.

4.4 Exponential Order

A function ( ) is said to be of exponential order if | ( ) | ≤ where and are constants and

> 0.

Examples :
(4.4.1) does not exist since is not of any exponential order.

(4.4.2) [cot ] does not exist since cot is not piecewise continuous.

(4.4.3) Show that is of exponential order as → ∞, >0

Solution:

lim → ( ) = lim →

= lim → ;
( )……..
= lim → [ ℎ ]
!
= lim [ ]
→
!
= =0

.
4.4.4 Show that is of exponential order.
Solution:

lim → ( ) = lim →

= lim → ;

2
= lim
→

2
= =0
∞
.

4.5 Important Results- Laplace Transform Formulae

1) ( ) = , > 0
!
2) ( ) = , = 0,1,2 … … …

3) ( )= , > )

4) ( )= , >

5) ( )= , >0

6) ( )= , >0

7) ( ℎ ) = , >

8) (cos ℎ ) = , >

4.5 Properties of Laplace Transform

4.6.1 Linearity Property

The Laplace transform operator is linear.

[ ( )± ( )] = [ ( )] ± [ ( )]

Proof:

∞
By definition [ ( )] = ∫ ( ) = ( )

∞
Consider [ ( )± ( )] = ∫ [ ( )± ( )]
 ∞
=∫ [ ( ) ± ( ) ]

∞ ∞
= ∫ ( ) ±∫ ( )

∞ ∞
= ∫ ( ) ± ∫ ( )

= [ ( )] ± [ ( )]

Therefore
[ ( )± ( )] = [ ( )] ± [ ( )]

4.6.2 First Shifting Property:

If [ ( )] = ( ) then [ ( )] = ( − )

Proof :

∞
By definition [ ( )] = ∫ ( ) = ( )

∞
Consider [ ( )] = ∫ ( )

∞ ( )
= ∫ ( )

= ( − )

Therefore [ ( )] = ( − )

Similarly [ ( )] = ( + )

4.6.3 Second Shifting Property:

( − ) >
If [ ( )] = ( ) then If [ ( )] = ( ) where ( ) =
≤

∞
By definition [ ( )] = ∫ ( ) = ( )

∞
Consider [ ( )] = ∫ ( )

∞
=∫ (0 ) +∫ ( − )

∞
=∫ ( − )
Put − = when = , = 0

= when = ∞, = ∞

∞ ( )
[ ( )] = ∫ ( )

∞
= ∫ ( )

= ( )

Therefore [ ( )] = ( )

4.6.3 Change of Scale property :

1. If [ ( )] = ( ) then [ ( )] = ( )

2. If [ ( )] = ( ) then = ( )

Proof :

∞
1. By definition [ ( )] = ∫ ( ) = ( )

∞
Consider [ ( )] = ∫ ( )

Put = When = 0, = 0

= When = ∞, =∞

∞ ∞
Therefore [ ( )] = ∫ ( ) = ∫ ( ) = ( )

Therefore [ ( )] = ( )

∞
2. By definition [ ( )] = ∫ ( ) = ( )

∞
Consider =∫ ( )

Put = ; =

∞
( ) ( )
=
∞ ( )
= ∫ ( ) = ( )
4.6.4 If [ ( )] = ( ) then [ ( )] = − [ ( )]

Proof:

∞
By definition [ ( )] = ∫ ( ) = ( )

∞
Consider [ ( )] = [∫ ( ) ]

∞
=∫ (− ) ( )

∞
= − ∫ ( )

= − [ ( )]

[ ( )] = − [ ( )]

4.6.5 Theorem :

( ) ∞
If → ( ) exists and if [ ( )] = ( ) then =∫ ( )

Proof:

∞
By definition [ ( )] = ∫ ( ) = ( )

∞ ∞ ∞
Consider ∫ [ ( )] ]=∫ ∫ ( )

∞ ∞
=∫ ( )[∫ ]

∞
= ∫ ( )

∞
=∫ ( ) 0+

∞ ∞
∫ [ ( )] ] =∫ ( )

∞ ( )
∫ [ ] =

4.7 PROBLEMS BASED ON ELEMENTARY PROPERTIES:

4.7.1 [ + + 5 + 4 ]

Solution:
[ + + 5 + 4 ]= ( )+ ( )+ ( 5 )+ ( 4 )

!
= + + +

4.7.2 [ + + h5 + ℎ4 ]
Solution:

[ + + h5 + ℎ4 ] = ( )+ ( )+ ( h5 ) + ( h4 )
!
= + + +

4.8 PROBLEMS BASED ON FIRST SHIFTING THEOREM

If [ ( )] = ( ) then [ ( )] = ( − )

4.8.1. Find [ ]
Solution:

[ ] = [ ] →
!
= →

!
= ( )

4.8.2. Find [ ]
Solution:
[ ]= [ ] →

= →

=
( )

4.8.3. Find [ ]
Solution:
[ ℎ ]= [ ℎ ] →

= →
 =
( )

4.9 Derivatives and Integrals of Transforms

If L[f(t)] = φ(s)then L[tf(t)] = − φ(s) = −φ (s)

Proof:

φ(s) = L[f(t)]

Differentiating the above equation

d d
φ(s) = L[f(t)]
ds ds

φ (s) = ∫ e f(t)dt =∫ (e ) f(t)dt

φ (s) = (e )(−t) f(t)dt = − (e )t f(t)dt = −L[f(t)]

L[f(t)] = −φ (s)

Corollary:-If L[f(t)] = φ(s)then L[t f(t)] = (−1) φ (s)

Proof:

W.K.T L[f(t)] = −φ (s)

L[t f(t)] = L[t. tf(t)]

=− − Lf(t)

= (−1) [Lf(t)]

= (−1) φ(s)

L[t f(t)] = (−1) φ(s) = (−1) φ (s)

4.9.1 Find L[tsin2t]

Solution:
 W.K.T L[t f(t)] = (−1) φ( ) (s)

d d 2
L[tsin2t] = − L[tsin2t] = −
ds ds s + 4

= − ( )
=( )

L[tsin2t] = ( )

4.9.2 Find L[t e ]

Solution:

W.K.T L[t f(t)] = (−1) φ(s)

L[t e ] = (−1) L[e ]=

= ( )
= ( )

L[t e ]=
( )

4.9.3 Find L[te sint]

Solution:

L[te sint] = − L[sint] →( )

=− ( ) →(
=− ( )
)

( ) ( )
L[te sint] = (( ) )
=( )

4.9.4 Find L[te sin3t]

Solution:

L[te sin3t] = − L[sin3t] →( )

=− =−
( ) →( ) ( )
 ( ) ( )
L[te sint] = =
(( ) ) ( )

4.9.5 Find L[te cosht]

Solution:

L[te cosht] = − L[cosht] →( )

=− ( ) →(
=− ( )
)

( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
=− (( ) )
= ( )

4.9.6 Find L[tsin3tcos2t]

Solution:

L[tsin3tcos2t] = − [L(sin3tcos2t)]

=− [L(sin5t) + L(sint)]

=− + =− ( )
+( )

L[tsin3tcos2t] = ( )
+( )

4.9.7 Given that L sin√t = e .Find L.T of cos√t

√

Solution:

Let f(t) = sin√t

f ( t) = cos√t
√

L [f (t)] = sL[f(t)] − f(0)

L cos√t = L[f (t)] = sL[f(t)] − f(0)

√
 = sL sin√t − f(0) = s e − 0 [f(0) = 0]

L cos√t = e
√

L cos√t = e z
√

4.9.8 Show that ∫ e tsintdt =

Solution:

W.K.T ∫ e f(t)dt = L[f(t)]

∫ e tsintdt = L[tsint]

=− L[sint] =−
( )

−2s 2 2 1
=− = = =
(s + 1) (1 + 1) 2 2

4.9.9 Show that ∫ e tcostdt = 0

Solution:

W.K.T ∫ e f(t)dt = L[f(t)]

∫ e tcostdt = L[tcost]

=− L[cost] =− ( )

( ) ( )
= ( )
=0

4.10 Integrals of Transform

If L[f(t)] = φ(s) and f(t)has a limit as t → 0 then

L f(t) = ∫ φ(s)ds

Proof:
 φ(s) = L[f(t)]

∫ φ(s)ds = ∫ L[f(t)] ds = ∫ ∫ e f(t)dtds = ∫ ∫ e f(t)dsdt

Since s and t are independent variables, hence the order of integration in the double
integral can be interchanged.

=∫ f(t) ∫ e ds dt = ∫ f(t) dt

( )
∫ f ( t) dt = ∫ e dt = L f(t)

4.10.1 Find L

Solution:

1
L f(t) = φ(s)ds = L[f(t)]ds
t

1−e 1 1
L = L[1 − e ]ds = − ds
t s s−1

=[ log s − log (s − 1)] = log

s s−1
= 0 − log = log
s−1 s

4.10.2 Find L

Solution:

1
L f(t) = L[f(t)]ds
t

sinat a
L = L[sinat] ds = ds
t s +a

=a tan = tan = − tan

 =cot = tan

4.10.3 Find L

Solution:

L =L

= L = ∫ L[sin4t + sin2t]ds

= ∫ + ds = 4 tan + 2 tan

= tan + tan = + −tan − tan

= π−tan − tan

4.10.4 Find L

Solution:

e −e
L = Le −e ds
t

=∫ − ds

= [log(s + a) − log(s + b)]

( )
= log
( )

( )
= 0 − log
( )

( )
= log ( )

4.10.5 Find L

Solution:
1 − cos at
L = L[1 − cos at] ds
t

=∫ − ds

= log s − log(s + a )

= log
√
 = 0 − log √
√
= log

4.10.6 Find L

Solution:
cos at − cos bt
L = L[cos at − cos bt] ds
t

=∫ − ds

= log(s + a ) − log(s + b )

( )
= log
( )

( )
= 0 − log
( )

( )
= log
( )

4.11 Important Results-Inverse Laplace transforms Formulae

1) (1) = , > 0

2) ( )= , = 0,1,2 … … …

3) = , > )

4) = , >

5) = , >0

6) = , >0

7) = , >0

8) = ℎ , >

9) = cos ℎ , >

Inverse Laplace transforms by method of partial fractions:

4.11.1 Find L ( )(
by using Partial Fractions.
)
 Solution:

Let ( )(
= + +
)

( )( ) ( ) ( )
( )(
=
)

S + S − 2 = A(S + 3)(S − 2) + BS(S − 2) + CS(S + 3)

= −

(−3) + (3)(−2) = A(−3 + 3) + B(−3)(−3 − 2) + C(−3)(−3 + 3)

B= 4/15

4 = 10C

C= 2/5

Put S= 0

−2 = −6A

A= 1/3

/ / /
( )(
= + +
)

Taking L-1 on both sides,

L ( )( )
=L +L +L

y(t) = (1) + (e) + (e) .

4.11.2. Find L by using Partial Fraction method.

( )( )

Solution:

Let ( )( )
= +
 ( ) ( )
= ( )(
( )( ) )

3S = A(s + 2) + B(S − 4)

= −

−6 = −6B

B= 1

12 = 6A

A=2

∴ = +
( )( )

Taking L-1 on both sides,

L ( )( )
=L +L

y(t) = 2(e) + (e) .

4.11.3. Find L ( )( )
by using Partial Fraction method.

Solution:

Let ( )( )
=( )
+( )

( ) ( )( )
( )( )
= ( )( )

S + 2S + 3 = S (A + C) + S (2A + 2C + B + D) + S(2A + 5C + 2B + 2D) + (2B + 5D)

Equating the like co-efficients, we get

A + C = 0--------------------------------------- (1)

2A + 2C + B + D = 1------------------------ (2)
 2A + 5C + 2B + 2D = 2--------------------- (3)

2B + 5D = 3----------------------------------- (4)

From eqn. (2), 2(A + C) + B + D = 1

∴ B + D = 1------------------------------ (5)

∴ From (4)& (5)we get,

D = 1/3

∴ B = 2/3

On solving eqn. (3) we get, A = 0, C = 0

( )( )
=( )
+( )

Taking L-1 on both sides,

L ( )( )
=L ( )
+L ( )

= L ( )
+ L ( )

= e L + e L

y(t) = e sint + e sin2t.

4.11.4. Find L by using Partial Fraction method.

( )( )

Solution:

Let = +
( )( ) ( ) ( )

( )
=
( )( ) ( )( )

1 = A (S + b ) + B(S + a )
 = −

A = −1/(a − b )

= −

B = 1/(a − b )

L ( )( )
=L ( )
+L ( )

= L ( )
+L ( )

y(t)= −

4.12 Laplace transforms of periodic functions:

sinωt, 0 < <

4.12.1. Find the Laplace transforms of the half wave rectifier function f(x) =
0, < <

Solution:

This function is a periodic function with period 2/ in the interval (0, 2/).By the

definition of Laplace transformation of periodic function. We have,L f(t) = ∫ e f(t)dt

∴ L f(t) = ∫ e f(t)dt

= ∫ e sinωtdt

= (−s sin ωt − ωcosωt)

( )
= ( (−s sin ω( ) − ωcosω( ))) − ( (−s sin ω(0) − ωcosω(0)))

( )
=

ω(1 + e )
L f(t) =
(1 − e )(1 + e )( s + ω )
 ω
∴ L f(t) =
(1 − e )( s + ω )

t, 0 < <
4.12.2 Find the Laplace transforms of the triangular wave function f(t) =
2a − t, a < < 2

with the period f(t+2a) = f(t).

Solution:

This function is a periodic function with period 2a, in the interval (0,2a). By the
definition of Laplace transformation of periodic function. We have,

L f(t) = ∫ e f(t)dt

L f(t) = (∫ e tdt + ∫ e (2a − t)dt)

= ( − − + − + )

( )
=
( )

( )
L f(t) = ( )( )

∴ L f(t) = tanh ( )

4.12.3 Find the Laplace transform of the square wave of a period defined as
1, 0 < <
f(t) =
−1, < <

Solution:

This function is a periodic function with period a, in the interval (0,a). By

the definition of Laplace transformation of periodic function. We have,

L f(t) = ∫ e f(t)dt
 L f(t) = (∫ e ( 1)dt + ∫ e (−1)dt)

= ( − )

( )
L f(t) =
( )( )

∴ L f(t) = tanh

t , 0 < < 1
4.12.4. Find the Laplace transform of the function f( t) = and f(t + 2) = f(t)
2 − t ,1 < < 2

Solution:

This function is a periodic function with period 2, in the interval (0,2). By the
definition of Laplace transformation of periodic function. We have,

1
L f(t) = e f(t)dt
1−e

1
L f(t) = ( e ( t)dt + e (2 − t)dt)
1−e

=
− + + + −

∴ L f(t) = tanh

E, 0 < <
4.12.5. Find the Laplace transform of the square wave of a period defined as f(t) =
−E, < <

Solution:
 This function is a periodic function with period T, in the interval (0,T). By
the definition of Laplace transformation of periodic function. We have,

L f(t) = ∫ e f(t)dt

L f(t) = (∫ e ( E)dt + ∫ e (−E)dt)

= ( − )

( )
.( )
L f(t) =
( )( )

∴ L f(t) = tanh

PRACTICE PROBLEMS

4P.1 Find L √t Ans π/2S

4P.2 Find L Ans π/S

√

4P.3 Find L[e (3sinh2t − 5cosh2t)] Ans

4P.4 Find L[e sin t] Ans −( )

4P.5 Find L[tsin(2t + 3)] Ans: Cos3 ( )

− Sin3 ( )

4P.6 Find L Ans:cot

4P.7 Evaluate ∫ te costdt Ans:

 4P.8 Find L ( )(
by using Partial Fractions.
)

Ans: y(t)= e − e cos3t − e sin3t

4P.9 Find L ( )( )
by using Partial Fractions.

Ans: y(t)= - e + e + 4te − e t

4P.10 Find L ( )(
by using Partial Fractions.
)

Ans: y(t)= e − 2cost + sint

4P.11 Find L ( )( )(
by using Partial Fractions.
)

Ans: y(t)= e − e + e

4P.12 Find L ( )( )
by using Partial Fractions.

Ans: y(t)= e − cost − sint

4P.13 Find the Laplace Transform of f(t) = e , f(t + 2) = f(t)

( )
Ans: L f(t) = ( )( )

4P.14 Find the Laplace Transform of f(t) = t , f(t + 4) = f(t)

Ans: L f(t) = )
− − 4e
(

4P.15 Find the Laplace Transform of f(t) = |sint|

Ans: L(f(t))= cot h