Unit-VII

Laplace Transforms

Introduction:

The Laplace transform method is used for solving the differential equations with
initial and boundary conditions. The advantage of this method is that it solves the
differential equations with initial conditions directly without the necessity of first
finding the general solution and then evaluating the arbitrary constants using the
initial conditions. In particular, this method is used in problems where the driving
force (mechanical or electrical) has discontinuities for a short time or is periodic.
In this unit we study the basic concepts of Laplace transforms and its
applications to solve the differential equations arising in mechanics, electrical
circuits and bending of beams.
Definition:
Let ) (t f be a real valued function defined for all 0 t . Then Laplace
transform ) (t f denoted by { } ) ( t f L is defined by
{ } ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) (
0
s f s f s F dt t f e t f L
st
= = = =

where s is a real or a complex number.

Properties of Laplace Transforms:

l. Linearity property: If ) (t f and ) (t g are two functions whose Laplace
transforms exists and a & b are any two constants, then
{ } { } { } ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( t g bL t f aL t bg t af L + = +
Proof: By definition of Laplace transform
{ } { }dt t bg t af e t bg t af L
st
) ( ) ( ) ( ) (
0
+ = +

= dt t g e b dt t f e a
st st
) ( ) (
0 0

+
= { } { } ) ( ) ( t g bL t f aL +
2. Shifting property:
If { } ) ( ) ( s F t f L = then
{ } ) ( ) ( a s F t f e L
at
=
Proof: By definition,
{ } ) ( ) ( ) (
0
s F dt t f e t f L
st
= =

Therefore, { } dt t f e e t f e L
at st at
) ( ) (
0

=
= ) ( ) (
0
) (
a s F dt t f e
t a s
=

3. Change of scale property:
If { } ) ( ) ( s F t f L =
Then prove that { } ) (
1
) ( a s F
a
at f L =
Proof: By definition
{ } ) ( ) ( ) (
0
s F dt t f e t f L
st
= =

Therefore, { } dt at f e at f L
st
) ( ) (
0

=
du u f e
a
u
s
) (
0

=
{ } ) (
1
) ( a s F
a
at f L =


Laplace transforms of standard functions:

1. ) (a L where a is a constant.

s
a
s
e
a adt e L
st
st
=
(

= =

0 0
. (a)

2. ) (
at
e L
dt e e e L
at st at

=
0
) ( = dt t f e
t a s
) (
0
) (

=
a s a s
e
t a s

=
(

1
) (
0
) (

3. ) (sinh at L
atdt e at L
st
sinh ) (sinh
0

=
dt
e e
e
at at
st
(

2
0


(

dt e e dt e e
at st at st
0 0
2
1


(

=
a s a s
1 1
2
1
2 2
a s
a

=
4. ) (cosh at L
atdt e at L
st
cosh ) (cosh
0

=
dt
e e
e
at at
st
(

+
=

2
0


(

+ =

dt e e dt e e
at st at st
0 0
2
1


(

+
+

=
a s a s
1 1
2
1

2 2
a s
s

=
5. ) (sin at L
atdt e at L
st
sin ) (sin
0

+
=
0
2 2
) cos sin ( at a at s
a s
e
st
2 2
a s
a
+
=
6. ) (cos at L
atdt e at L
st
cos ) (cos
0

+
=
0
2 2
) sin cos ( at a at s
a s
e
st
2 2
a s
s
+
=
7. ) (
n
t L , where n is non-negative real constant.
dt t e t L
n st n

=
0
) (
Substitute x st = , so that
s
dx
dt =

s
dx
s
x
e t L
n
x n
|

\
|
=

0
) (
(

dx x e n
n x 1
0
) ( Q

dx x e
s
n x
n

+
=
0
1
1

1
) 1 (
+
+
=
n
s
n

1
!
+
=
n
s
n
) ! ) 1 ( ( n n = + Q

Table of Laplace transforms:


1. ( )
s
L
1
1 = 2. ( )
a s
e L
at

=
1


3. ( )
a s
e L
at
+
=

1
4. ( )
2 2
sin
a s
a
at L
+
=

5. ( )
2 2
cos
a s
s
at L
+
= 6. ( )
2 2
sinh
a s
a
at L

=
7. ( )
2 2
cosh
a s
s
at L

= 8. ( ) ..... 3 , 2 , 1
!

1
= =
+
n
s
n
t L
n
n


9. ( )
) (
!

1 +

=
n
n at
a s
n
t e L 10. ( )
2 2
) (
sin
b a s
b
bt e L
at
+
=

11. ( )
2 2
) (
cos
b a s
a s
bt e L
at
+

= 12. ( )
2 2
) (
sinh
b a s
b
bt e L
at

=

13. ( )
2 2
) (
cosh
b a s
b s
bt e L
at

=




Examples:


1. Find the Laplace transform of the function, at
3
cos

We know that at at at cos 3 cos 4 3 cos
3
=
) cos 3 3 (cos
4
1
cos
3
at at at + =
) (cos
4
3
) 3 (cos
4
1
) (cos
3
at L at L at L + =

) )( 9 (
) 7 (
2 2 2 2
2 2
a s a s
s s s
+ +
+
=
2. Evaluate, ) 4 3 2 (
2
+ t t L
) 1 ( 4 ) ( 3 ) ( 2 ) 4 3 2 (
2 2
L t L t L t t L + + = +

s s s
1
4
1
3
! 2
2
2 3
+ + =

3
2
4 3 4
s
s s + +
=
3. Find the Laplace transform of t t t 3 cos 2 cos cos
We have t t t 3 cos 2 cos cos ) cos 5 (cos cos
2
1
t t t + =
) cos 5 (cos cos
2
1
t t t + =
[ ] t t t
2
cos cos 5 cos
2
1
+ =

(

+ + + = ) 2 cos 1 (
2
1
) 4 cos 6 (cos
2
1
2
1
t t t
[ ] t t t 6 cos 4 cos 2 cos 1
4
1
+ + + =
) 3 cos 2 cos (cos t t t L
(

+
+
+
+
+
+ =
36 16 4
1
4
1
2 2 2
s
s
s
s
s
s
s

4. Evaluate,
) 3 cos 5 (sin t t L

Since, [ ] ) 3 5 sin( ) 3 5 sin(
2
1
3 cos 5 sin t t t t t t + + =
) 3 cos 5 (sin t t L [ ] ) 2 (sin ) 8 (sin
2
1
t L t L + =

(

+
+
+
=
4
2
64
8
2
1
2 2
s s


) 4 )( 64 (
) 16 ( 10
2 2
2
+ +
+
=
s s
s

5. Evaluate, ) ( ) (
2
3
t L t t L =

) ( ) (
2
3
t L t t L =

2
5
2
5
1
2
3
)
2
1
(
2
1
.
2
3
)
2
5
( ) 1
2
3
(
s s s

=
+
=
+


2
5
4
3
s

= ( ) = )
2
1
( Q
6. Find the Laplace transform of ) (t f defined as

>
< <
=
T
T
t f
for t 1,
t 0 for ,
T
t
) (

By definition, { } dt t f e t f L
st
) ( ) (
0

=
dt e dt
T
t
e
T
st
T
st
) 1 (
0



+ =

+
(

=
T
st
T
st st
s
e
s
e
s
e
t
T
0
2
1
1

= ( )
sT
e
Ts

1
1
2

7. Find the Laplace transform of t e
t
3 cosh
4


9
) 3 (cosh
2

=
s
s
t L


9 ) 4 (
4
) 3 cosh (
2
4

=
s
s
t e L
t


8. Find the Laplace transform of t e
t
) ( t L =
2
3
2
3
1
2
1
2
1
2
1 2
1
2
1
1
2
1
s s s
t L

=
|

\
|

=
|

\
|
+
= |

\
|
+


t e L
t
( ) =
(
(

2
3
) 1 (
2
1
s

.

9. Find the Laplace transform of t t e
t
cos 2 sin
[ ] t t t t sin 3 sin
2
1
cos 2 sin + =

(

+
+
+
=
1
1
3
3
2
1
) cos 2 (sin
2 2 2
s s
t t L
=
) 1 )( 9 (
) 3 ( 2
2 2
2
+ +
+
s s
s

) cos 2 sin ( t t e L
t
=
] 1 ) 1 ][( 9 ) 1 [(
] 3 ) 1 [( 2
2 2
2
+ +
+
s s
s

Exercise:

Find the Laplace transform of

1. )} 5 sin 3 5 (cos {
3
t t e L
t
+

2. If

>
< <
=

t 1
t 0 sint
) (t f
3. } 2 cos {
3 3
t e L
t

4. )} 3 sin 2 (cosh {
4
t t e L
t

5. )} 3 sinh 2 cos 2 ( {
2 2
t t t e L
t
+

Laplace transforms of derivatives:

Theorem: If ) (t f is exponential order and ) (t f is continuous
then ) 0 ( )} ( { )} ( { f t f sL t f L =

Proof: )} ( { t f L = dt t f e
st
) (
0

, Integrate by parts
[ ] dt t f s e t f e
st st
) ( ) ( ) (
0
0
=

dt t f e s f
st
) ( ) 0 ( 0
0

+ =
= - )} ( { ) 0 ( t f sL f +
) 0 ( )) ( ( )} ( { f t f sL t f L =
Or ) 0 ( ) ( )} ( { f s sf t f L =

Note: The above theorem can be generalized

) 0 ( ) 0 ( ) 0 ( ) 0 ( ) ( )} ( {
1 3 2 1
=
n n n n n n
f f s f s f s s f s t f L

Laplace transforms of integral:

Theorem: If ) ( )} ( { s f t f L = then
s
s f
dt t f L
t
) (
) (
0
=
)
`

Proof: Let dt t f t F
t

=
0
) ( ) ( and hence ) ( ) ( t f t F = and 0 ) 0 ( = F
dt t F e t F L
st
) ( )} ( {
0

= by the definition.
Integrating by parts we get,

dt t F
s
e
s
e
t F t f L
st st
) ( ) ( )} ( {
0 0

) (
1
) (
1
) 0 0 (
0
s f
s
dt t f e
s
st
= + =

Thus
s
s f
dt t f L
t
) (
) (
0
=
)
`

Multiplication by
n
t :

Theorem: If ) ( )} ( { s f t f L = then prove that
)} ( { t f t L
n
) ( ) 1 ( s f
ds
d
n
n
n
=
Proof: We have = = )} ( { ) ( t f L s f dt t f e
st
) (
0

Differentiating w.r.t.s both sides
dt t f e
ds
d
s f
ds
d
st
) ( ) (
0

=
dt t f t e
st
) ( ) (
0
=

)} ( { ) ( t tf L s f
ds
d
=
) ( ) 1 ( )} ( { s f
ds
d
t tf L =
Similarly, ) ( ) 1 ( )} ( { s f
ds
d
t f t L
n
n
n n
=
Division by t :

Theorem: If ) ( )} ( { s f t f L = then prove that
ds s f
t
t f
L
s
) (
) (

=
)
`

Proof: By definition
dt t f e s f t f L
st
) ( ) ( )} ( {
0

= =
On integrating both sides w.r.t s from s to

s
ds s f ) ( ds dt t f e
s
st

=
0
) (
by changing the order of integration as s and t are independent variables
dt t f ds e
s
st
) (
0

= dt t f
t
e
s
st
) (
0

|
|

\
|

=
dt
t
t f
e
st
|

\
|
=

) (
0
|

\
|
=
t
t f
L
) (


|

\
|

t
t f
L
) (

=
s
ds s f ) (

Find the Laplace transforms of the following functions:


1. ) sin ( at t L

) ( ) (sin
2 2
s f
a s
a
at L =
+
=
)) ( ( ) 1 ( ) sin ( s f
ds
d
at t L = ( ) ( ) 1 ( )} ( { s f
ds
d
t f t L
n
n
n n
= Q )

ds
d
) 1 ( =
)
`

+
2 2
a s
a


2 2 2
) (
2
) sin (
a s
as
at t L
+
=



2. ) cos (
2
at t L
) cos (
2
at t L )} (cos { ) 1 (
2
2
2
at L
ds
d
= =
2
2
ds
d
)
`

+
2 2
a s
s


ds
d
=
)
`

2 2 2
2 2
) ( a s
s a


3 2 2
2 2
) (
) 3 ( 2
a s
a s s
+

= .

3. ) 2 cos (
2
t te L
t


) 2 cos ( t t L )} ( { ) 1 ( s f
ds
d
=

(

+
=
) 4 (
) 1 (
2
s
s
ds
d

=
2 2
2
) 4 (
4
+

s
s

) 2 cos (
2
t t e L
t
=
2 2 2 2
2
) 8 4 (
) 4 (
} 4 ) 2 {(
4 ) 2 (
+ +
+
=
+ +
+
s s
s s
s
s



4.
|

\
|
t
at
L
sin

) ( ) (sin
2 2
s F
a s
a
at L =
+
=
ds
a s
a
ds s F
t
at
L
s s


+
= =
)
`

2 2
) (
sin

|

\
|
=
(

(
|

\
|
=

a
s
a
s
a
a
s
1 1 1
tan ) ( tan tan
1


|

\
|
=
)
`

a
s
t
at
L
1
tan
2
sin



5.
|
|

\
|
t
e
L
at
1



a s s
e L
at

=
1 1
] 1 [

[ ]

= |

\
|

=
(

s
s
at
a s s ds
a s s t
e
L ) log( log
1 1 1



s
a s
t
e
L
at
) (
log
1
=
(

6.
|

\
|
t
bt at
L
cos cos

Here bt at t f cos cos ) ( =
2 2 2 2
) (
b s
s
a s
s
s f
+

+
=
ds
b s
s
a s
s
t
bt at
L
s

\
|
+

+
= |

\
|

2 2 2 2
cos cos

+ + =
s
b s a s ) log(
2
1
) log(
2
1
2 2 2 2

+
+
=
s
b s
a s
2 2
2 2
log
2
1

2 2
2 2
log
2
1
a s
b s
+
+
=
7. Prove that

0
6 3
. 2 log dt
t
e e
t t


We know that L
(

t
e e
bt at
|

\
|
+
+
=
a s
b s
log

)
`

0
6 3
dt
t
e e
e
t t
st
|

\
|
+
+
=
3
6
log
s
s

Put s = 0
Thus 2 log
3
6
log
0
6 3
= =
)
`

dt
t
e e
t t


8.
)
`

t
x
xdx e L
0
cos
We have
2 2
1
1 ) 1 (
1
) cos (
2 2
+ +
+
=
+ +
+
=

s s
s
s
s
x e L
x

But
s
s f
dt t f L
t
) (
) (
0
=
)
`

s s s
s
s s
s
s
xdx e L
t
x
2 2
1
2 2
1
.
1
cos
2 3 2
0
+ +
+
=
+ +
+
=
)
`

9.
)
`

t
dx
x
x
L
0
sin

We have s
x
x
L
1
cot
sin

=
)
`

s
s
dx
x
x
L
t
1
0
cot
1 sin

=
)
`

Exercise:

1. ) sin ( at t L 2. ) (
3 3 t
e t L



3. ) cosh ( t te L
t
4.
|
|

\
|

t
e e
L
bt at


5.
|

\
|
t
at
L
cos 1
6.
)
`

t
x
dx x e L
0
3 2


Laplace transforms of Periodic functions:

Definition: A function ) (t f is said to be periodic function with period > 0 if
) ( ) ( t f t f = +

Theorem: If ) (t f is a periodic function with period > 0 then

0
) (
1
1
)} ( { dt t f e
e
t f L
st
S
---------- (1)
Proof: We have = dt t f e t f L
st
) ( )} ( {
0

=
= dt t f e
st
) (
0

+ dt t f e
st
) (
2

3
2
) ( dt t f e
st
+ ----------- (2)

Substitute + = = u t u t , and 2 + = u t in first integral, second integral
and third integral respectively, and using ) ( ) ( t f t f = + , ) ( ) 2 ( t f t f = + ,
) ( ) 3 ( t f t f = + ,, ) ( ) ( t f n t f = + .Since ) (t f is periodic function of
period in R.H.S of above result.

Then du dt = and u varies from 0 to , in result (2)
)} ( { t f L =

+ + +
+ +

0 0
) 2 ( ) (
0
) ( ) ( ) ( du u f e du u f e du u f e
u s u s su

= [ ]

+ + +

0
2
) ( 1 du u f e e e
su s s

=( ) + + +
2
) ( 1
s s
e e dt t f e
st
)) (
0

(simply replace u by t)
=
s
e

1
1
dt t f e
st
) (
0

Examples:

1. A periodic function ) (t f of period 2a is defined by

=
a 2 t 0 for -
a t 0 for
) (
a
a
t f
Show that
|

\
|
=
2
tanh )} ( {
as
s
a
t f L
Solution:

Since ) (t f is periodic function with period 2a.

as
e
t f L
2
1
1
)} ( {

=
(

dt t f e
a
st
) (
2
0


as
e
2
1
1

=
(

+


dt t f e dt t f e
a
st
a
st
) ( ) (
2
0 0


as
e
2
1
1

=
(

+


dt a e adt e
a
st
a
st
) (
2
0 0

=
as
e
a
2
1

s
e
as 2
) 1 (

( )
2
tanh )} ( {
as
s
a
t f L =

2. A function ) (t f is defined as

=
2 t 0 , - 2
1 t 0 ,
) (
t
t
t f
Find L.T of ) (t f , if ) ( ) 2 ( t f t f = +


Solution:
s
e
t f L
2
1
1
)} ( {

= dt t f e
st
) (
2
0

s
e
2
1
1

= { tdt e
st

1
0
+ dt t e
st
) 2 (
2
1

}

s
e
2
1
1

=
(

+

2
2
2 1
s
e e
s s


s
e
2
1
1

=
2
2
) 1 (
s
e
s

)} ( { t f L
2
tan
1
2
s
s
=
Exercise:

1. Find the Laplace transform of the periodic function

< <
< <
=
w w
w
wt
t f

2
t 0,
t 0 , sin
) (
2. Find the Laplace transform of the periodic function with period a is given
by

< <
< <
=
a
a
a
E
t f
t
2
0,
2
t 0 ,
) (
3. Find the Laplace transform of the periodic function defined by

) ( ) ( ; T t 0 , ) ( t f T t f
T
kt
t f = + < < =
4. Find the Laplace transform of the full wave rectifier

t 0 , sin ) ( w wt E t f < < = having period w



Unit step function (Heaviside function)

Definition: The unit step function ) ( a t u or Heaviside function ) ( a t H is
defined as follows.

>

=
a t 1,
a t , 0
) ( a t u where is positive constant.

Laplace transform of ) ( a t H :

By definition of Laplace transform

)} ( { a t H L dt a t H e
st
) (
0
=

=

a
st
dt a t H e
0
) ( +

a
st
dt a t H e ) (

+ =
a
st
dt e 0

)
`

=
a
st
s
e

( )
as
e e
s

=
1

s
e
a t H L
as
= )} ( {
In particular if 0 = a ,
s
t H L
1
)} ( { =
Heaviside shifting theorem:

If ) ( )} ( { s f t f L = then ) ( )} ( ) ( { s f e a t H a t f L
as
=
Or )} ( { )} ( ) ( { t f L e a t H a t f L
as
=

Proof: By definition of Laplace transform
)} ( ) ( { a t H a t f L

=
0
) ( ) ( dt a t H a t f e
st


+ =

a
st
dt a t H a t f e
0
) ( ) (

a
st
dt a t H a t f e ) ( ) (
dt a t f e
a
st
) ( 0 + =

Put x a t =

dx dt = When 0 , = = x a t when = = x t ,
)} ( ) ( { a t H a t f L

+
=
0
) (
) ( dx x f e
a x s

dx x f e e
sx as
) (
0

=
dt t f e e
st as
) (
0

=
)} ( { t f L e
as
=
)} ( ) ( { a t H a t f L ) (s f e
as
=

Remark: If

>
< <
=
a for t (t)
a t 0 for (t)
) (
2
1
f
f
t f
Then ) ( )} ( ) ( { ) ( ) (
1 2 1
a t H t f t f t f t f + =

Find the Laplace transforms of the following functions:

1. )} 2 ( ) 1 2 {( t H t L
Now 3 ) 2 ( 2 1 2 + = t t

[ ] ) 2 ( } 3 ) 2 ( 2 { )} 2 ( ) 1 2 {( + = t H t L t H t L

) 3 2 (
2
+ =

t L e
s
Using Heaviside shift theorem.
Replace 2 t by t


(

+ =

s s
e t H t L
s
1
3
1
2 )} 2 ( ) 1 2 {(
2
2


2. )} 3 ( {
2
t H t L
Now
2 2
} 3 ) 3 {( + = t t
9 ) 3 ( 6 ) 3 (
2
+ + = t t

)} 3 ( {
2
t H t L )} 3 ( ] 9 ) 3 ( 6 ) 3 {[(
2
+ + = t H t t L
) 9 6 (
2 3
+ + =

t t L e
s

)} 3 ( {
2
t H t L
(

+ + =

s s s
e
s
9 6 2
2 3
3


3. )} 2 ( {
3
t H e L
t

Now
6 ) 2 ( 3 6 6 3 3 + +
= =
t t t
e e e

)} 2 ( { )} 2 ( {
6 ) 2 ( 3 3
=
+
t H e L t H e L
t t


) (
6 3 2
e e L e
t s
=

6 2
3
1
e
s
e
s

=



3
)} 2 ( {
) 3 ( 2
3

=

s
e
t H e L
s
t





Theorem: If

>
< <
=
a for t (t)
a t 0 for (t)
) (
2
1
f
f
t f
then prove that ) ( )} ( ) ( { ) ( ) (
1 2 1
a t H t f t f t f t f + =

Proof: By using the definition of ) ( a t H , we have

>
=
a for t
a for t f f
a t H t f t f
0,
, (t) - (t)
) ( )} ( ) ( {
1 2
1 2

Adding ) (
1
t f to both sides this becomes

+
> +
= +
a for t t f
a for t t f t f t f
a t H t f t f t f
0, ) (
, )} ( ) ( { ) (
) ( )} ( ) ( { ) (
1
1 2 1
1 2 1

>
=
a for t f
a for t f
, (t)
, (t)
1
2

) (t f = , by using the definition of given ) (t f

Similarly,

<
< <
< <
=
2 3
2 1 2
1 1
for t (t)
a t a for (t)
a t 0 for (t)
) (
a f
f
f
t f

Then ) ( )} ( ) ( { ) ( )} ( ) ( { ) ( ) (
2 2 3 1 1 2 1
a t H t f t f a t H t f t f t f t f + + =


4. Express the following function in terms of Heaviside unit step function and
hence find their Laplace transform of

>
< <
=
2 4
2 0
) (
2
t, t
t , t
t f
Solution:
Given function ) (t f can be expressed in terms of the Heaviside unit step
function as.

) 2 ( ) 4 ( ) (
2 2
+ = t H t t t t f

Taking Laplace transform on the both sides we get
)} 2 ( ) 4 {( ) ( )] ( [
2 2
+ = t H t t L t L t f L

)} 2 ( } 4 ) 2 [{(
2
2
3
= t H t L
s


) 4 (
2
2 2
3
=

t L e
s
s


|

\
|
=

s s
e
s
t f L
s
4 2 2
)] ( [
3
2
3



5. Express the function interms of the Heaviside unit step function and hence find
Laplace transforms of

>
< <
=
3 0
3 0
) (
, t
t , e
t f
-t


Solution: ) 3 ( ) 0 ( ) ( + =

t H e e t f
t t


) 3 ( =

t H e e
t t


)} 3 ( { ) ( )} ( {
3 3
=
+
t H e L e L t f L
t t


)} 3 ( {
1
1
3 ) 3 (

+
=

t H e L
s
t


1
1
1
1
3 3
+

+
=

s
e e
s
s


1
1
)} ( {
) 3 (
+

=
+
s
e
t f L
s

6. Given

>
< <
=

t sint,
t 0 , cos
) (
t
t f

Solution: Given function can be expressed as

) ( )} ( ) ( { ) ( ) (
1 2 1
+ = t H t f t f t f t f

) ( } cos {sin cos + = t H t t t

We now note that


) ( } cos( ) ( ) (cos
) ( } sin( ) ( ) (sin


=
=
t H t t H t
t H t t H t


) ( } cos( ) sin( { cos + + = t H t t t

} cos sin { } {cos )} ( { t t L e t L t f L
s
+ + =



(

+
+
+

+
+
=

1 1
1
1
2 2 2
s
s
s
e
s
s
s

7. Express the function interms of the Heaviside unit step function and hence find
Laplace transforms of

>
> <
< <
=
4 8
4 2 4
2 0
) (
2
t ,
t t,
t , t
t f
Solution: Given function can be expressed as

) 4 ( )} ( ) ( { ) 2 ( )} ( ) ( { ) ( ) (
2 3 1 2 1
+ + = t H t f t f t H t f t f t f t f


) 4 ( } 4 8 { ) 2 ( } 4 {
2 2
+ + = t H t t H t t t


) 4 ( )} 4 4 ( 4 8 { ) 2 ( } ) 2 ( 4 {
2 2
+ + + = t H t t H t t


) 4 ( } 8 ) 4 ( 4 { ) 2 ( } ) 2 ( 4 {
2 2
+ + = t H t t H t t


} 8 4 { } 4 { } { )} ( {
4 2 2 2
+ + =

t L e t L e t L t f L
s s


(

+
(

+ =

s s
e
s s
e
s
s s
1 1
4
2 4 2
2
4
3
2
3




Laplace transform of the unit impulse function or Dirac- Delta function:

When a very large force acts for a very short time then such forces are called
impulsive forces. In mechanics, we come across problems where a very large force
acts for a very short time. In study of bending of beams, we have point loads
which is equivalent to large pressure acting over a very small area. To deal with
such problems. We introduce the unit impulse function or Dirac-delta function.

Definition:
The unit impulse function denoted by ) ( a t is defined as
) ( a t = 0 ), (
0

a a t lt

,
where

+ >
+ < <
<
=

a if 0
a t a if
1

a t if 0
) (
t
a t
when 0 ,

>
=
<
=
a if 0
a t if
a t if 0
) (
t
a t

Laplace transform of the Unit impulse function:

Consider )} ( { a t L

dt a t e
st
) (
0
=

dt a t e
a
st
) (
0
=

a
a
st
dt a t e ) ( + dt a t e
a
st
) (

0
1
0 + + =

dt e
a
a
st

=
a
a
st
s
e 1
) (
1
) ( as a s
e e
s
+
=

s
e e
a t L
s as

) 1 (
)} ( {

=

Taking the limits on both sides as 0 we get.


0
lt )} ( { a t L

s
e
lt e
s
as

1
0

By L Hospital Rule 1
1
lim
0
=

s
e
s

Hence by taking limit on both sides as 0 ,we get

as
e a t L

= )} ( {

Find the Laplace transforms of the following functions:

1. )} ( { b t e L
at

)} ( { b t e L
at
)} ( {
) (
b t e L
b b t a
=
+

)} ( {
) (
b t e L
ab b t a
=
+


) (
at ab bs
e L e e

=

a s
e
a s b

=

1
) (


2. Find )} 3 ( {
4
t t L


s
e t L
3
)} 3 ( {

=
[ ]
s s
e e
ds
d
t t L
3 4 3
4
4
4 4
) 3 ( ) 1 ( )} 3 ( {

= =
Thus
s
e t t L
3 4
81 )} 3 ( {

=

3. Find )} 2 ( 3 {cosh t t L

{ } ) 2 (
2
1
) 2 ( 3 cosh
3 3
+ =

t e e t t
t t


{ } )] 2 ( [ )] 2 ( [
2
1
)} 2 ( 3 {cosh
3 3
+ =

t e L t e L t t L
t t

{ }
3 3
)] 2 ( [ )] 2 ( [
2
1
+
+ =
s s s s
t L t L
{ }
3
2
3
2
] [ ] [
2
1
+

+ =
s s
s
s s
s
e e
{ }
) 3 ( 2 ) 3 ( 2
2
1
+
+ =
s s
e e
{ }
6 6
2
2
)} 2 ( 3 {cosh

+ = e e
e
t t L
s

Thus
s
e t t L
2
6 cosh )} 2 ( 3 {cosh

=