Department of Mathematics

UNIT-IV
INVERSE LAPLACE TRANSFORM

Topic Learning Objectives:

Upon Completion of this unit, students will be able to:

➢ Obtain inverse Laplace transform of rational functions.

➢ Solve ordinary linear differential equations

Definition
Let 𝐿{𝑓 (𝑡)} = 𝐹(𝑠), then f(t) is defined as the inverse Laplace transform of 𝐹(𝑠) and is
denoted by 𝐿−1 {𝐹(𝑠)}. Thus 𝐿−1 {𝐹(𝑠)} = 𝑓 (𝑡).

Linearity Property
Let 𝐿−1 {𝐹(𝑠)} = 𝑓 (𝑡) and 𝐿−1 {𝐺(𝑠)} = 𝑔(𝑡) and 𝑎 and 𝑏 be any two constants,
Then 𝐿−1 [𝑎 𝐹(𝑠) + 𝑏 𝐺(𝑠)] = 𝑎 𝐿−1 {𝐹(𝑠)} + 𝑏 𝐿−1 { 𝐺(𝑠)}

Table of Inverse Laplace Transforms

F(s) f (t ) = L−1{F (s)}

1 1
,s0
s
1 e at
,sa
s−a
s cos 𝑎𝑡
,s0
s + a2
2

1 sin 𝑎𝑡
,s0 𝑎
s + a2
2

1 sinh 𝑎𝑡
,s a 𝑎
s − a2
2

s
,s a
s − a2
2 cosh 𝑎𝑡
1 tn
n +1
,s0
s n!
n = 0, 1, 2, 3, . . .
1 tn
n +1
,s0
s (n + 1)
n ≠-1, -2, -3, …..

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Examples
1. Find the inverse Laplace transforms of the following:

1 s+b 2s − 5 4s − 9
(i) (ii ) 2 (iii ) 2 +
2s − 5 s +a 2
4s + 25 9 − s 2
Solution:

−1  1  1 −1  1  1 2
5t
(i ) L  = L  = e
 2s − 5  2  s − 5  2
 2
 s+b   s   1  b
(ii ) L−1  2 2
= L−1  2 2
+ b L−1  2 2
= cos at + sin at
s + a  s + a  s + a  a

 
 − 5   s − 9 
−1  2 s − 5 4s − 8  2 −1 −1 
s
+ = L  2 2
(iii ) L  2 2  − 4L  2 
 4s + 25 9 − s  4  s 2 +  25  s − 9 
 4 

1  5t 5t   3 
= cos − sin  − 4cos h3t − sin h3t 
2 2 2  2 

Shifting property [Evaluation of 𝑳−𝟏 [𝑭(𝒔 − 𝒂)]

If 𝐿−1 [𝐹(𝑠)] = 𝑓(𝑡), then 𝐿−1 [𝐹(𝑠 − 𝑎)] = 𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝐿−1 [𝐹(𝑠)] = 𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑓(𝑡)

Examples:
 3s + 1 
1. Evaluate : L−1  4 
.
 ( s + 1) 
Solution:

 3(s + 1 - 1) + 1 −1  1   1 
L-1  =3L  3
− 2 L−1  4
 (s + 1)   (s + 1)   (s + 1) 
4

1 1
= 3e −t L−1  3  − 2e −t L−1  4 
s  s 
Using the formula
−1 1 tn
L { n+1 } = and taking n = 2 and 3, we get
s n!
3e −t t 2 e −t t 3
= − .
2 3

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 s+2 
2. Evaluate : L-1  2 .
 s -2s + 5 
Solution:
 s+2  −1  (s − 1) + 3  −1  s −1  −1  1 
Given = L-1   = L  =L   + 3L  
 (s − 1) + 4   (s − 1) + 4   (s − 1) + 4   (s − 1) + 4 
2 2 2 2

 s  −1  1 
= et L-1  2 +3e L  2
t

s + 4 s + 4

3 t
= et cos 2t + e sin 2t
2

 2s + 1 
3. Evaluate : L−1  2 .
 s + 3s + 1
Solution:

Given = 2L  -1  ( )
 s + 3 −1   
  −1 
=2 L 
s + 32 
 −1 (

−L 
)1


  
2

( 3
) 2 3 2
(
 s + 2 − 5 4    s + 2 − 5 4  ) (
 s + 2 − 5 4 
3 2
)
 −3t   1 
 s 
−3t
−1 
= 2e 2 L−1  2  − e 2
L  2 5 
  − 5  s − 4 
4 
s


−3𝑡 √5 2 √5
= 2𝑒 2 [𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ 𝑡− 𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎ 𝑡].
2 √5 2

 2 s 2 + 5s − 4 
4. Evaluate : L−1  3 2 .
 s + s − 2s 
Solution:

2s 2 + 5s − 4 2s 2 + 5s − 4 2s 2 + 5s − 4 A B C
= 2 = = + +
( )
We have -------- (1)
s + s − 2s s s + s − 2 s(s + 2)(s −1) s s + 2 s −1
3 2

2
Then 2s +5s-4 = A(s+2) (s-1) + B s (s-1) + Cs (s+2)

For 𝑠 = 0, 𝐴 = 2, for 𝑠 = 1, 𝐶 = 1 and for 𝑠 = −2, 𝐵 = −1.

Using these values in (1),

 2 s 2 + 5s − 4  −1  2  −1  1  −1  1  −2t
 = L  − L  + L   =2−e +e
t
L-1  3
 s + s 2
− 2 s   
s  s + 2   s − 1 

5. Use the method of partial fractions to find the time signals corresponding to the Laplace

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transform function
4𝑠+5
𝐹(𝑠) = (𝑠+1)2(𝑠+2)
Solution:

Consider
4𝑠 + 5 𝐴 𝐵 𝐶
= + +
(𝑠 + 1)2 (𝑠 + 2) (𝑠 + 1)2 𝑠 + 1 𝑠 + 2
Then 4s + 5 =A(s + 2) + B(s + 1) (s + 2) + C (s + 1)2

For 𝑠 = −1, 𝐴 = 1, for 𝑠 = −2, 𝐶 = −3

Comparing the coefficients of s2 to get 𝐵 + 𝐶 = 0 so that 𝐵 = 3.
Using these values in (1) to get

4s + 5 1 3 3
= + −
(s + 1) + (s + 2) (s + 1) (s + 1) s + 2
2 2

Hence
 4s + 5  −t −1  1  −t −1  1  −2 t −1  1 
L−1   = e L  2  + 3e L   − 3e L  
 (s + 1) + (s + 2) s  s  s 
2

= te−t + 3e −t − 3e −2t

 s3 
5. Evaluate : L−1  4 4
.
s − a 
Solution:
s3 A B Cs + D
Let 4 = + + 2 −−−−−−− (1)
s −a 4
s − a s + a s + a2

Hence, 𝑠 3 = 𝐴(𝑠 + 𝑎) (𝑠 2 + 𝑎2 ) + 𝐵 (𝑠 − 𝑎)(𝑠 2 + 𝑎2 ) + (𝐶𝑠 + 𝐷) (𝑠 2 – 𝑎2 )

For 𝑠 = 𝑎, 𝐴 = ¼, for s = -a, B = ¼, comparing the constant terms to get
D =a, (A-B) = 0,
Comparing the coefficients of 𝑠 3 to get 1 = 𝐴 + 𝐵 + 𝐶 and so 𝐶 = ½.
Using these values in (1),
s3 1 1 1  1 s
=  + +
s −a
4 4
4  s − a s + a  2 s 2 + a 2
Taking inverse transforms,
−1 
L  4
s 3  1 at
4
 1 1
= e + e −at + cos at = [𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ 𝑎𝑡 + cos 𝑎𝑡]
s − a  4 2 2

 s 
6. Evaluate : L−1  4 .
 s + s + 1
2

Solution:

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s s 1 2s 
= 2 = 
Consider,
(
s + s +1 s + s +1 + s − s +1 2 
4 2 2
) ( ) (2
)( 2
)
s + s + 1 s − s + 1 

=
( ) (
1  s + s +1 − s − s +1  1 
2 2
=
1 ) − 2
1 
( )( )
2  s 2 + s + 1 s 2 − s + 1  2  s 2 − s + 1 ( ) (
s + s + 1  )
 
1 1 1 
=  − 

(
2 s−1 +
2
2 3
4
s +)1
2
2
+
3
4
 ( )
Therefore
    
  1   1 
 
t t
s 1 −
L−1  4  = e 2 L   − e 2 L−1  
−1

 s + s + 1 2   s2 + 3   s 2 + 3 
2
   
  4  4 
 3 3 
1  t sin t −
t sin t
= e 2 2 −e 2 2 
2 3 3 

 2 2 

2  3  t
=  
sin  2 t  sin h 2 
3  

Evaluation of 𝑳−𝟏 [ 𝒆−𝒂𝒔 𝑭(𝒔)]

If 𝐿[𝑓(𝑡)] = 𝐹(𝑠), then 𝐿[𝑓(𝑡 − 𝑎)𝐻(𝑡 − 𝑎)] = 𝑒 −𝑎𝑠 𝐹(𝑠)
𝐿−1 [ 𝑒−𝑎𝑠 𝐹(𝑠)] = 𝑓(𝑡 − 𝑎)𝐻(𝑡 − 𝑎)

Examples
𝑒 −5𝑠
𝟏. 𝐸𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑒: 𝐿−1 {(𝑠−2)4}.
Solution:
1
a = 5, F(s) =
(s − 2)4
 1  2t −1  1  e 2t t 3
f(t) = L−1{F(s)} = L−1  4
=e L  4 =
 (s − 2)  s  6

 e −5 s 
−1
L  4
= f(t − a) H(t − a)
 (s − 2) 
e 2(t −5 ) (t − 5)
3
= H (t − 5).
6
−s
−1  e se −2s 
2. Evaluate: L  2 + 2 .
s +1 s + 4
Solution:

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Given =  f1 (t − π )H (t − π ) + f 2 (t − 2π )H (t − 2π ) (1)
 1 
f1(t) = L−1  2  = sin t
 s + 1
 s 
f 2(t) = L−1  2  = cos 2t
s + 4
(1) leads to
Given = sin (t − π ) H (t − π ) + cos 2(t − 2π ) H (t − 2π )
= − cos t H (t − π ) + cos (2t ) H (t − 2π ).

Inverse transform of logarithmic and trigonometric functions

𝑑
If 𝐿[𝑡𝑓(𝑡)] = 𝐹(𝑠) then 𝐿[𝑡𝑓(𝑡)] = 𝐿−1 [− 𝑑𝑠 𝐹(𝑠)] = 𝑡𝑓(𝑡)
𝑛
𝑛 𝑑
In general, 𝐿−1 [(−1) 𝑑𝑠𝑛
𝐹(𝑠)] = 𝑡𝑛 𝑓(𝑡)

Examples
  s + a 
1. Evaluate L−1 log  .
  s + b 
s+a
Let F(s) = log   = log (s + a ) − log (s + b )
 s+b 
 1 1 
Then − F (s ) = −
d
−
ds  s + a s + b 
 d 

L−1 − F (s ) = − e −at − e −bt 
 ds 
e−bt − e− at
Or t f (t ) = e−bt − e−at . Thus f (t ) = .
b

2. Evaluate L−1 
tan
−1 a 
.
 s
a
Let F(s) = tan −1  
s
 a   d 
Then − F (s ) =  2 or L−1 − F (s ) = sin at
d
2
so that
ds s + a   ds 
or t f (t ) = sin at , f (t ) =
sin at
.
a
𝑭(𝒔)
Inverse transform of 𝒔
F (s )  F (s ) 
t t
Since L  f (t )dt = , we have L−1  =  f (t )dt
0
s  s   0

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Examples
 1 
1. Evaluate L−1  2
( 2 
s s + a 
.
)
Solution:
Let F (s ) = so that f(t) = L−1 F (s ) =
1 sin at
s +a 22
a
 F (s ) (1 − cos at )
t
1 sin at
Then L−1 = 2 = L−1  = dt =
s s +a( 2
) 
 s  0 a a2

 
L− 1 
1
2. .
 s 2 (s + a )2 

 1  
L− 1  = te
− at
 (s + a ) 
 2


 
 t − at
L− 1 
1
= e
2
t dt

 s (s + a ) 
 0
1 − e − at (1 + at )
1 
=
 
a2 

 
 1 t
Now L-1
1 − at (1 + at ) dt
 = 2  1 − e 

 s (s + a ) 
 2 2
 a 0
1   − at  + 2 e − at − 1 .
=
3 at 1 + e  
 


a

Inverse Laplace transform of F(s) using Convolution theorem

If 𝐿−1 [𝐹(𝑠)] = 𝑓(𝑡) and 𝐿−1 [𝐺(𝑠)] = 𝑔(𝑡) , then

𝑡
𝐿−1 [𝐹(𝑠)𝐺(𝑠)] = ∫0 𝑓(𝑢)𝑔(𝑡 − 𝑢)𝑑𝑢 = 𝑓(𝑡) ∗ 𝑔(𝑡)

This expression is called the convolution theorem for inverse Laplace transform.

Examples:

Employ convolution theorem to evaluate the following:

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 1 
1. L−1  .
 (s + a )(s + b)
Solution:
1 1
Let F(s) = , G(s) =
s+a s +b
Taking inverse transform, we get f(t) = e-at , g(t) = e-bt
By convolution theorem,
 1  t −a (t −u ) −bu t
L-1   = e e du = e −at  e (a−b )u du
 (s + a )(s + b) 0 0
(a −b )t
e − 1 e −bt
− e −at
= e −at   = .
 a −b  a −b

 s 

2. L−1  .
(
 s +a
2 2
)
2


Solution:
1 s sin at
Let F(s) = , G( s) = 2 , then f(t) = , g(t) = cos at
s +a2 2
s +a 2
a
By convolution theorem,

 

t
sin a(t − u )cos au du
s 1
L-1 
 ( 2
+ 2 2 
)
=  a
 s a  0

1 sin at + sin (at − 2au )

t

a 0
= du,
2
cos(at − 2au ) t sin at
t
1 
= u sin at −  = 2a .
2a  − 2a 0

 s 
L−1 
(3)
(
 (s − 1) s + 1 
2 .
)
Solution:
1 s
Let F(s) = , G(s) = 2
s −1 s +1
𝑡
Then 𝑓(𝑡) = 𝑒 , 𝑔(𝑡) = 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡
-1   t t −u t e 
−u
1
=  = (− sin u − cos u )
 (s − 1)(s + 1) 0
L  2  e sin u du e 
 2 

=
et −t
2
  
e (− sin t − cos t ) − (− 1) = et − sin t − cos t
1
2


Exercise:

By employing convolution theorem evaluate the following:

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 1   s 
1. L−1  4. L−1  2 , a  b.
( .
 (s + 1) s + 1 
2
) ( )(
 s +a s +b 
2 2 2 
)
 s   1 
2. L−1  5. L−1  2
2
(
 (s + 2) s + 9 )
.
  s (s + 2 ) 2

.

 1   4s + 5 
3. L−1  . 6. L−1  .
(
 s + a 2
2
)
2
  (s − 1) (s + 2)
2

Answers:
1 1
(ii) ( 2 cos 3t + 3 sin 3t − 2e −2t ) (iii) ( sin at − at cos at ) (iv)
13 2a 3
1 1
( cos bt − cos at ) (v) ( e −2t (t + 1) + t − 1)
a −b
2 2
4

Laplace Transform Method for Differential Equations

As noted earlier Laplace transform technique is employed to solve initial-value problems.
The solution of such a problem is obtained by using the Laplace Transform of the derivatives
of function and then the inverse Laplace Transform.

The following are the expressions for the derivatives derived earlier.
L[f (t)] = s L f(t) - f(0)
L[f (t) = s 2 L f(t) - s f(0) - f (0)
L [f (t) = s 3 L f(t) - s 2 f(0) - s f (0) - f (0)

Examples

1. y + 2 y − 3 y = sin t , y(0) = y(0) = 0

Solution:

Taking the Laplace transform of the given equation,

1
[𝑠 2 𝐿𝑦(𝑡) − 𝑠𝑦(0) − 𝑦 , (0)] + 2[𝑠 𝐿𝑦(𝑡) − 𝑦(0)] − 3 𝐿 𝑦(𝑡) =
𝑠2 +1

Using the given conditions, we get

1
[s L{𝑦(𝑡)} − 𝑦(0)] + 𝐿{𝑦(𝑡)} = (𝑠+1)2
Using the given condition, this becomes

1 2s2 + 4s + 3
(𝑠 + 1)𝐿{𝑦(𝑡)} − 2 = so that 𝐿{𝑦(𝑡)} =
(𝑠 + 1)2 (𝑠 + 1)3

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 Department of Mathematics

Taking the inverse Laplace transform, we get

−1
2𝑠 2 + 4𝑠 + 3
𝑌(𝑠) = 𝐿 { }
(𝑠 + 1)3
−1
2(𝑠 + 1 − 1)2 + 4(𝑠 + 1 − 1) + 3
=𝐿 [ ]
(𝑠 + 1)3
2 1 1
= 𝐿−1 [ + 3
] = 𝑒 −𝑡 (𝑡 2 + 4)
𝑠 + 1 (𝑠 + 1) 2
 
L [y(t)] s 2 + 2s − 3 = 2
1
s +1
or L [y(t)] =
1
(
(s − 1)(s + 3) s 2 + 1 )
or

 1   A B Cs + D 
y(t) = L−1  = L−1  + + 2
( 
 (s − 1)(s + 3) s + 1 
2
)  s − 1 s + 3 s + 1 
 s 1
 − − 
1 1 1 1
= L−1  − + 10 5 ( method of partial fractions)

 8 s − 1 40 s + 3 s +1 
2

 
= e t − e −3t − (cos t + 2 sin t ).
1 1 1
8 40 10
2. Employ Laplace Transform method to solve the integral equation.
t
f(t) = l +  f (u )sin (t − u )du
0

Solution:

Taking Laplace transform of the given equation, we get

t
L f(t) = + L  f (u )sin (t − u )du
1
s 0

By using convolutio n theorem here .

1 1 L f(t)
L f(t) = + Lf(t)  L sin t = + 2 Thus
s s s +1
s2 + 1 −1  s + 1 
2
t2
L f(t) = 3  
or f(t) = L  3  = 1 + .
s  s  2

d2x dx
3. A particle is moving along a path satisfying , the equation 2
+ 6 + 25x = 0 where
dt dt
x denotes the displaceme nt of the particle at time t. If the initial position of the particle is at x = 20
and the initial speed is 10, find the displaceme nt of the particle at any time t using Laplace transform s.
Solution:

Given equation may be rewritten as

x''(𝑡) + 6x'(𝑡) + 25x(𝑡) = 0
Here the initial conditions are x(0) = 20, x'(0) = 10.

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 Department of Mathematics
Taking the Laplace transform of the equation, we get
 
Lx(t)  s 2 + 6s + 25 − 20s − 130 = 0 or Lx(t)  =
20s + 130
s 2 + 6 s + 25
so that
 20s + 130  −1  20(s + 3) + 70 
x(t) = L−1   =L  
 (s + 3) + 16   (s + 3) + 16 
2 2

s+3 1
= 20 L−1 + 70 L−1
(s + 3) + 16
2
(s + 3)2 + 16
e −3t sin 4t
= 20 e −3t cos 4t + 35 .
2

4. A voltage Ee -at is applied at t = 0 to a circuit of inductance L and resistance R. Show that the
E  −at 
Rt
−
e − e .
L
current at any time t is
R - aL  
Solution:

The circuit is an LR circuit. The differential equation with respect to the circuit is
di
L + Ri = E (t )
dt
Here, L denotes the inductance, i denotes current at any time t and E(t) denotes the E.M.F.
It is given that E(t) = E e-at. With this, we have
Thus, we have
di
L + Ri = Ee − at or Li' (t ) + R i(t ) = Ee − at
dt
Taking Laplace transform on both sides to get

𝐿[𝐿{i'(𝑡)}] + 𝑅[𝐿 {𝑖(𝑡)}] = 𝐸 𝐿 {𝑒 −𝑎𝑡 }

Ls L i(t ) − i(o) + RL i(t ) = E
1
s+a
𝐸
Since i(0) = 0, 𝐿 {𝑖(𝑡)}[𝑠𝐿 + 𝑅] = 𝑜𝑟
𝑠+𝑎
𝐸
𝐿 {𝑖(𝑡)} =
(𝑠 + 𝑎)(𝑠𝐿 + 𝑅)
𝐸
Taking inverse transform L-1 {𝑖(𝑡)} = 𝐿-1 { }
(𝑠 + 𝑎)(𝑠𝐿 + 𝑅)
E  -1  1  -1  1 
=  L  − L L  
R − aL   s + a   sL + R 
E  −at − 
Rt
Thus i(t) = e − e  .
L
R − aL  

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 Department of Mathematics
5. Mass spring damper system can be modeled using Newton’s and Hooke’s law. The
d2x dx
differential equation representing this system is 2 + 6 + 25x = 4 sin t with initial
dt dt
conditions x(0) = x' (0) = 0 .
Solution:
Given equation may be rewritten as
x' ' (t) + 6x' (t) + 25x(t) = 4 sint
Here the initial conditions are x(0) = 20, x' (0) = 10.
Taking the Laplace transform of the equation, we get
4ω 4ω
𝐿{𝑥(𝑡)}[𝑠 2 + 6s + 25] = 2 or𝐿{𝑥(𝑡)} =
𝑠 + 𝜔2 (𝑠 2 + 𝜔 2 )(𝑠 2 + 6s + 25)
On resolving in to partial fractions (with𝜔 = 2) leads to
8 𝐴𝑠 + 𝐵 𝐶𝑠 + 𝐷
𝑥(𝑡) = 𝐿−1 [ 2 ] = 𝐿 −1
[ + ]
(𝑠 + 4)(𝑠 2 + 6s + 25) 𝑠 2 + 4 𝑠 2 + 6s + 25
=
4 2
= [7 𝑠𝑖𝑛 2 𝑡 − 4 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝑡] + [𝑒 −3𝑡 ( 8 𝑐𝑜𝑠 4 𝑡 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛 4 𝑡)].
195 195

Exercise:
Employ Laplace transform method to solve the following initial value problems.
(i) y + 5 y + 6 y = e−2t , y(0) = y(0) = 1
(ii) y + 2 y − y − 2 y = 0, y(0) = 1, y(0) = 2 = y(0)
(iii) y + 2 y + 5 y = e−t sin t , y(0) = 0, y(0) = 1.
Answers:
1 5 1
(i) 3e−2t − 2e−3t + te−2t (ii) e −2t + e −t − et (iii) e −t (sin t + sin 2t )
3 3 3

Video links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MXMDrs6ZmA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnnnv4wt-Lw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-zd-T17uiE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7nzLD3t4Uc

22MA21A (Vector Calculus, Laplace Transform and Numerical Methods)

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