7.

Definition of the Laplace Transform

1.

Consider the function f ( x, y ) = xy . Then, evaluate the definite integral

xy dx.

x2 y
xy dx =
2

= 8y 2y = 6y
2

The definite integral has transformed the function f ( x, y ) into a function of the
variable y , that is,

f ( x, y ) dx = F ( y )

Similarly, a definite integral such as

e st f (t ) dt

will result in a function of

the variable s , (if the integral exits), that is,

e st f (t )dt = F ( s )

The function F ( s ) of the variable s is called the Laplace transform of f (t ) , and

will be denoted by { f (t )} .
2.

Definition:
Let f (t ) be a function defined for t 0 . Then the integral

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

(1)

is said to be the Laplace transform of f (t ) , provided the integral converges.

3.

Lowercase letter is used to denote the function being transformed, and the
corresponding uppercase letter is to denote its Laplace transform.
From the definition in (1),

{ f (t )} = F ( s )

(2)

We say: Laplace transform of f (t ) is F ( s ) .

4. Other alphabets can also be used to represent the function being transformed.
Examples: { y (t )} = Y ( s ) ,

{h(t )} = H ( s ) ,

{i (t )} = I ( s ) .

5. By using the definition of the Laplace transform (as given in (1)), we can obtain the
Laplace transform of some basic functions such as:

{ f (t )} = F ( s )
1.

{1} = 1/ s

2.

{t} = 1/ s 2 ,

3.

{t n } =

n!
, n a positive integer,
s n +1

4.

{e at } =

1
,
sa

5.

{sin kt} =

k
s + k2

s>0

6.

{cos kt} =

s
s + k2

s>0

7.

{sinh kt} =

k
s k2

s> k

8.

{cosh kt} =

s
,
s k2

s> k

s>0

s>0

s>0

s>a

6.

Examples.

{ }

By using the definition of the Laplace Transform, find e at .

(i)

Solution:
Definition of Laplace transform:

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

Replace f (t ) = e at in the definition.

{ }

e at = e st e at dt
0

= lim e st + at dt
b

= lim e( s + a )t dt
b

= lim e ( s a )t dt
b

e ( s a )t
= lim

b ( s a )

0
e ( s a )b
e0
= lim

;
b ( s a )
( s a )

e ( s a )b
converges to zero if s a > 0 )
(note that
( s a )
=

(ii)

1
, if s a > 0; i.e. s > a.
sa

Find

{ }

(a) e 8t =

{ }

(b) t 4 =

1
1
=
s (8) s + 8
4!
24
= 5
4 +1
s
s

(c) {cos 2t} =

s
s
= 2
2
s +2
s +4

(d) {sinh 3t} =

3
3
= 2
2
s 3
s 9

7. Linearity of the Laplace Transform

The Laplace Transform is a linear operator, that is, for any function f (t ) and g (t )
whose Laplace transform exists, and for any constants and ,

{ f (t ) + g (t )} = { f (t )} + { g (t )}

(3)

Examples:
(i)

{4 + 3 t 2sin 7t} = {4} + {3t} + {2 sin 7t}

= 4 {1} + 3 {t} 2 {sin 7t }
=

(ii)

4 3
7
+ 2 2 2

s s
s + 49

{6e 4t + (t + 1) 2 } = {6e 4t } + {(t + 1)2 }

{ }

{ }

{ }

= 6 e 4t + t 2 + 2t + 1

= 6 e 4t + t 2 + 2 {t} + {1}
=

6
2 2 1
+ 3+ 2+
s+4 s
s
s