Copyright Ren Barrientos Page 1

THE LAPLACE TRANSFORM AND ITS INVERSE

The Laplace
1
Transform is an example of an Integral Transform and an integral transform is a special
kind function whose domain and range are sets of other functions. We call it an integral transform
because the operation used in the process of mapping one function to another involves an integral. We
refer to functions whose domain and range consists of other functions as functionals.
More precisely, let K(s, t) be a function of the real variables s and t, and let (t) be a real valued
function defined for t u. Then the integral transform of f with kernel K(s, t) on the interval |o, b] is
given by
T{(t)] = _ K(s, t)
b
u
(t)Jt
Observe that the product K(s, t) (t) is a function of both variables s and t. However, only the
variable s survives when the integral is performed with respect to t over the interval |o, b]. This new
function of the variable s is denoted by F(s) and defined by
F(s) = _ K(s, t)
b
u
(t)Jt
The transform converts a function of t into anther function of s; T: (t) - F(s).
The Laplace Trasform is an integral transform whose kernel is the function c
-st
:

Observe that there is nothing special about the variables s and t. We could have just as easily defined
the Laplace Transform using other variables. For example,
F(s) = _ c
-sp
(p)Jp

0

or even use x instead of s:
F(x) = _ c
-xt
(t)Jt

0

Customarily, however, the input function is a function of time and the letter s is used as the
independent variable of the output function.
Functions of Exponential Order
What functions have a Laplace Transform? Considering its definition, it is clear that c
-st
(t) cannot be
unbounded on the interval |u, ) and furthermore, this product should be well-behaved in order to be
integrable.
The two conditions that guarantee the existence of the transform are piecewise continuity and
exponential order.

1
Pierre-Simon Laplace (1749 - 1827) was a French mathematician who authored Trait de Mcanique Cleste,
considered to be his greatest work. His contributions to mathematics, physics, and other branches of knowledge are
of great substance and he is considered to be one of the most influential scientific minds of his time.
L{(t)] = _ c
-st
(t)

0
Jt
The Laplace Transform
Let the function (t) be defined on |u, ). The Laplace Transform of (t), denoted by L{(t)], is defined by
Provided the integral exists. When it does, the resulting function of the variable s is denoted by F(s) and its domain
is the set of all s for which the improper integral converges. Write L{(t)] = F(s).
Copyright Ren Barrientos Page 2

Piecewise continuous functions are functions whose set of discontinuities on the given interval is finite
and such that the function has one-sided limit at each of its points of discontinuity, including the
intervals endpoints. Hence, piecewise continuous functions have a finite number of jump-
discontinuities.
A function is piecewise continuous on |u, ) if it is piecewise continuous on every finite subinterval of
|u, ).
A function is of exponential order ax t - if there exist nonnegative numbers K, b, and I such that
|(t)| Kc
bt
for all t I, that is, the function does not grow any faster that a typical exponential
function beyond some point I.







Piecewise continuous Not piecewise continuous



Before we establish this theorem, note that both properties are necessary. For if we consider the function
(t) = c
t
2
(which it is piecewise continuous but not of exponential order), it can easily be established
that ] c
-st
(t)

0
Jt diverges for all s.
Pf:
By the piecewise continuity of and continuity of c
-st
for all s and t, ] |c
-st
(t)|
x
0
Jt exists for all x
[from standard theorems in calculus]. Since is of exponential order as t - , there exist
numbers K, b, and I such that |(t)| Kc
bt
for t I.
If t < I, the piece-wise continuity of ensures that ] c
-st
(t)
1
0
Jt exists and is therefore bounded
by some number H. Thus,
__ c
-st
(t)

0
Jt_ = __ c
-st
(t)
1
0
Jt +_ c
-st
(t)

1
Jt_
__ c
-st
(t)
1
0
Jt_ +__ c
-st
(t)

1
Jt_
H+_ c
-st
|(t)|Jt

1

H+K_ c
-(s-b)t
Jt

1

= H+K
1
s -b
E
-(s-b)1
; s b
QEB.

Theorem 1
If is piecewise continuous and of exponential order as t - on |u, ), then L{(t)] exists.
Asymptote
Copyright Ren Barrientos Page 3





Pf. See optional section.
Linearlty Properties of The Transform
Assume both (t) and g(t) have transforms and that k is a fixed real number. Then,
1) L{(t) +g(t)] = L{(t)] +L{g(t)]
2) L{k(t)] = k L{(t)]
Pf:
L{(t) +g(t)] = _ ((t) +g(t))c
-st

0
Jt
= _ (t)c
-st

0
Jt +_ g(t)c
-st

0
Jt
= L{(t)] +L{g(t)]
Similarly, L{k(t)] = kL{(t)]. The proof is left as an exercise.
Example 1 (the constant unit function) Let (t) = 1. Compute L{(t)].
Solution
Applying the definition,
L{1] = _ c
-st

0
1Jt
Improper integrals are evaluated through a limiting process:
L{1] = _ c
-st

0
1Jt = lim
b-
_ c
-st
b
0
Jt
= lim
b-
_-
1
s
c
-st
]
t=0
t=b

= -
1
s
lim
b-
(c
-sb
-1)
=
1
s
; foi s > u
Note that the restriction s > 0 is necessary for the convergence of the integral. Thus, we say that the
transform of (t) = 1 is F(s) = 1s provided s > u. This will be the first entry on our table of
transforms:
L{1] =
1
x
x > u
Working with the transform can be very cumbersome. For that reason, we will rely on tables of
transforms extensively. Nevertheless, there will be times when the definition is the only recourse.
Example 2 Use the linearity properties to establish that L{o] =
u
s
; s > u for any constant o.
Solution
L{o] = I{o 1]
= o I{1]
=
o
s
; s > u
Theorem 2
If (t) possesses a Laplace transform F(s) = L{(t)], then F(s) - u as t - .
Copyright Ren Barrientos Page 4

Thus,
L{a] =
a
x
; x > u
Example 3 Let (t) = t. Compute F(s).
Solution
Applying the definition,
L{t] = _ c
-st

0
tJt
This integral may be evaluated using integration by parts: let u = t and J: = c
-st
Jt
Then,
Ju = Jt, : = -
1
s
c
-st

[Remember, s is a parameter, not a variable of integration so it acts as a constant.]
Thus,
_c
-st
t Jt = t _-
1
s
c
-st
] -__-
1
s
c
-st
] Jt
= -t _
1
s
c
-st
] +__
1
s
c
-st
] Jt
= -t _
1
sc
st
] -
1
s
2
c
st

Proceeding to the limit
2
,
_ c
-st

0
tJt = lim
b-
_ c
-st
b
0
tJt
= lim
b-
_
t
sc
st
+
1
s
2
c
st
_
b
0

= lim
b-
j
1
s
2
-[
b
sc
sb
+
1
s
2
c
sb
[
=
1
s
2
i s > u
The second entry in our basic table is
L{t] =
1
x
2
x > u
Example 4 Compute the Laplace Transform of (t) = c
ut
where a is a constant.
Solution
Let F(s) = ] c
-st

0
Jt = L{1] and observe that F(s -o) = ] c
-(s-u)t

0
Jt.
Once again applying the definition,
L{c
ut
] = _ c
-st
c
ut

0
Jt
= _ c
-(s-u)t
Jt

0

But the right hand side of this equation just F(s -o) where F(s) is the transform of (t) = 1.
Thus,
L{c
ut
] = F(s -o) = L{1]|
s-u
=
1
s -o
; s > o

2
We have used ]
b
u
= -]
u
b
in order to get rid of the negative sign.
Copyright Ren Barrientos Page 5

So we have the third entry of our table:
L{e
at
] =
1
x -a
; x > a
Example 5 Let y(t) be differentiable and of exponential order on the interval |u, ). Determine
L{y(t)].
Solution
L{y(t)] = _ c
-st
y'(t)

0
Jt
Let
u = c
-st
J: = y(t)Jt
Then
Ju = -sc
-st
Jt : = y(t)
_ c
-st
y(t)

0
Jt = |y(t)c
-st
]
0

-_ -sc
-st

0
y(t)Jt
= |y(t)c
-st
]
0

+s _ c
-st

0
y(t)Jt





Thus,
L{y'(t)] = -y(u) +sL{y(t)]
This gives us our next very important result:



We denote L{y(t)] by (s), following the convention of using capital letters for the transform
of a function. Thus we have
L{y'(t)] = xY(x) -y()
This will prove to be one of the central results in the application of the transform to differential
equations. For now we will use it as an aid to find other transforms.
Example 6 Derive the formula for L{y(t)].
Solution
Assume suitable differentiability conditions on y(t) and let y(t) = u(t). Then y(t) = u(t)
and
L{y(t)] = L{u(t)]
= sL{u(t)] -u(u) |fiom pievious iesult]
= sL{y'(t)] -y'(u) |by sbustitution]
= s |sL{y(t)] -y(u)] -y(u) |by sbustitution]
which gives us our second very important result:


In general, we have the following result:
y()c
-s
- y(u) = -y()
because y(t) is of exp. order
L{y(t)]
L{y'(t)] = xL{y(t)] -y()
L{y
ii
(t)] = x
2
Y(x) -xy() -y
i
()
Copyright Ren Barrientos Page 6




We can use the formula for the transform of a derivative to find the transforms of the sine and cosine.
Example 7 Find L{sinkt] where k is a constant.
Solution
Let y(t) = sinkt. Then y(t) = k cos kt and y(t) = -k
2
sinkt. Therefore,
L{y(t)] = s
2
L{y(t)] -sy(u) -y(u)
gives us
L{-k
2
sinkt] = s
2
L{sinkt] -s u -k
By the linearity properties,
-k
2
L{sinkt] = s
2
L{sinkt] -k
Solving for L{sinkt]:
L{stnkt] = k(x
2
+k
2
)
We have a new entry for our basic table. In a completely analogous way,
L{us kt] = x(x
2
+k
2
)
The table below is out basic table of transforms and we will use it freely when needed.

f(t) F(s)= L{f(t)}
2 1
1
x
; x > u
3 t
n

n!
x
n
; n > u
4 e
at
1
x -a
; x > o
5 sinkt
k
x
2
+k
2
; x
6 cos kt
x
x
2
+k
2
; x
7 y
i
xY(x) -y()
9 y
ii
x
2
Y(x) -xy() -y
i
())
10 y
(n)
x
n
Y(x) -x
n-1
y() --y
n-1
()

Using the table and the linearity properties we may find transforms of other, more complex functions.
However, we must keep the definition in mind because we will encounter situations where it is needed.
Example 8 Find L{cos 4t]
Solution
Using table entry #6 with k = 4,
L{co s 4t] =
s
s
2
+4
2
=
s
s
2
+16

Example 9 Find the Laplace transform of the function y(t) = Sc
2t
+4t
3

Solution
Applying linearity,
L{Sc
2t
+4t
3
] = SL{c
2t
] +4L{t
3
]
L|y
(n)
(t)| = x
n
Y(x) -x
n-1
y() -x
n-2
y
i
() --y
(n-1)
()
Copyright Ren Barrientos Page 7

= S
1
s -2
+4
S!
s
4
|toblc cntrics #S onJ 4]
Simplifying,
L{y(t)] =
S
s -2
+
24
s
4

Example 10 Find the Laplace transform of the function w(t) = cos 4t -sinSt.
Solution
Applying linearity,
L{cos 4t -sinSt] = L{co s 4t] -L{sinSt]
=
s
s
2
+16
-
S
s
2
+9




These may be added to obtain the expression
w(s) =
s
3
-Ss
2
+9s -48
(s
2
+16)(s
2
+9)

Example 11 Let g(t) = cosh(-St). Find 0(s).
Solution
Recall the definition of the hyperbolic cosine:
ush(at) =
e
at
+e
-at
2

Thus,
L{cosh(-St)] = L_
e
-3t
+e
3t
2
_
By the linearity properties,
L_
c
-3t
+c
3t
2
_ =
1
2
|L{c
-3t
] +L{c
3t
]]
=
1
2
_
1
s -(-S)
+
1
s -S
_
=
1
2
_
1
s +S
+
1
s -S
_
Thus
0(s) =
s
s
2
-9

In fact, the hyperbolic functions are used often enough to put them in out list.




[Notice how similar these are to the transforms of the sine and cosine functions].
Example 12 Find the Laplace transform of the function (t) = t sin(nt).
Solution
The definition requires that we evaluate the integral
k = 4 k = S
L{stnh(kt)] =
k
x
2
-k
2

L{ush(kt)] =
x
x
2
-k
2

Copyright Ren Barrientos Page 8

_ c
-st
t sin(nt)

0
Jt
This does not look promising. Instead let us see if we can use the formula for the transform of a
derivative. Let y = t sin(nt). Then,
y(t) = sin(nt) +nt cos(nt)
y(t) = n cos(nt) +n|cos(nt) -nt sin(nt)]
= 2n cos(nt) -n
2
t sin(nt)
Using
L{y''(t)] = x
2
L{y(t)] -xy() -y'()
gives us
L{2n cos(nt) -n
2
t sin(nt)] = s
2
L{t sin(nt)] -sy(u) -y(u)
By linearity,
2nL{cos(nt)] -n
2
L{t sin(nt)] = s
2
L{t sin(nt)]
Solving for L{t sin(nt)]:
L{t sin(nt)](s
2
+n
2
) = 2n
s
s
2
+n
2

from which we obtain
L{t stn(at)] = 2a
x
(x
2
+a
2
)
2

The First Shifting Theorem and the Derivative of a Transform
The Laplace transform has some very interesting and important properties that make it a powerful tool in
solving differential equations. First Shifting Theorem is one of them.
Example 13 Find L{t
3
c
2t
]
Solution
By definition, we seek
_ c
-st
t
3
c
2t

0
Jt
We could combine the exponential functions and obtain
_ c
-(s-2)t
t
3
Jt

0

but still this does not look too promising. However, notice that this last integral looks like
F(s) = _ c
-st
t
3
Jt

0

with s replaced by s -2. In other words, If
F(s) = _ c
-st
t
3
Jt

0

Then
F(s -2) = _ c
-(s-2)t
t
3
Jt

0

This says that: the transform of t
3
c
2t
is the same as the transform of t
3
evaluated at s -2. Since
F(s) = L{t
3
] =
S!
s
4

We have
F(s -2) =
S!
(s -2)
4

Copyright Ren Barrientos Page 9

Therefore,
L{t
3
e
2t
] =

(x -2)
4

This is the essence of the First Shifting Theorem, which we proceed to state:



Alternatively, we may write this result as follows:
L{e
at
(t)] = L{(t)]|
x-a

To establish this theorem, all we need to do is proceed as in example 14. This is done in the optional
section.
Example 14 Find L{t
3
c
2t
]
Solution
L{c
2t
t
3
] = L{t
3
]|
s-2

=
S!
s
4
_
s-2

=
6
(s -2)
4

Example 15 Find L{tc
-t
]
Solution
L{tc
-t
] = L{c
-t
t] so let (t) = t. Then F(s) = 1s
2
. Applying the shifting theorem,
L{c
-t
t] = L{t]|
s-(-1)

=
1
s
2
_
s+1

=
1
(s +1)
2

Example 16 Find L{c
4t
cos St]
Solution
L{c
4t
cos St] = L{cos St]|
s-4

=
s
s
2
+9

s-4

=
s -4
(s -4)
2
+9

Example 17 Find L{c
-3t
(t +1)
2
]
Solution
L{(t +1)
2
c
-3t
] = L{(t
2
+2t +1)c
-3t
]
= L{t
2
c
-3t
] +2L{tc
-3t
] +L{c
-3t
1]
= L{t
2
]|
s+3
+2L{t]|
s+3
+L{1]|
s+3

=
2!
s
3
_
s+3
+2
1
s
2
_
s+3
+
1
s
_
s+3

=
2!
(s +S)
3
+
2
(s +S)
2
+
1
(s +S)

Theorem 3 If F(s) = L{(t)], then L{c
ut
(t)] = F(s -o) where o is an arbitrary real
number.
Copyright Ren Barrientos Page 10

Example 18 Find L{c
-t
(cosh2t +sinhSt)]
Solution
L{c
-t
(1ucosh2t +sinh St)] = 1uL{cosh2t]|
s+1
+L{sinhSt]|
s+1

= 1u
s
s
2
-4

s+1
+
S
s
2
-9
_
s+1

= 1u
s +1
(s +1)
2
-4
+
S
(s +1)
2
-9

Example 19 Find L{(c
2t
-1)
2
sinnt]
Solution
L{(c
2t
-1)
2
sinnt] = L{(c
4t
-2c
2t
+1) sinnt]
= L{c
4t
sinnt] -2L{c
2t
sinnt] +L{sinnt]
=
n
s
2
+n
2

s-4
-2
n
s
2
+n
2

s-2
+
n
s
2
+n
2

=
n
(s -4)
2
+n
2
-2
n
(s -2)
2
+n
2
+
n
s
2
+n
2

Example 20 Find L{c
3t
sin
2
4t]
Solution
First we need to use a reduction formula on sin
2
4t:
sin
2
4t =
1 -cos 8t
2
=
1
2
(1 -cos 8t)
Thus,
L{c
3t
sin
2
4t] =
1
2
L{1 -cos 8t]|
s-3

=
1
2
_
1
s
-
s
s
2
+64
]_
s-3

=
1
2
_
1
x -3
-
x -3
(x -3)
2
+4
]
Derivatives of Transforms
The other important tool we wish to study comes from considering the derivative of a transform.
Let F(s) = L{(t)]. Then,
J
Js
F(s) =
J
Js
_ c
-st
(t)

0
Jt
= _
o
os
c
-st
(t)

0
Jt
= _ -tc
-st
(t)

0
Jt
= -_ c
-st
t(t)

0
Jt
= L{t(t)]
This gives us
3


3
The essential result for this theorem is Leibnitz rule for differentiating integrals:
J
Jt
_ (x, t)
u(t)
u
Jx = _
o
ot
(x, t)
u(t)
u
Jx +(u(t), t)u
i
(t)
Copyright Ren Barrientos Page 11




We sometimes write this formula like this:
L{t(t)] = -
J
Js
L{(t)]
Example 21 Find L{t cos t +t]
Solution
L{t(cos t +1)] = L{t cos t] +L{t]
Since L{cos t] =
s
s
2
+1

L{t cos t] +L{t] = -
J
Js
[
s
s
2
+1
+
1
s
2
=
x
2
-1
(x
2
+1)
2
+
1
x
2

Example 22 Find L{tc
-4t
] in two different ways.
Solution
Method I: View this problem as an application of the First Shifting Theorem with (t) = t.
Then,
L{tc
-4t
] = F(s -(-4)) wheie F(s) = L{t]
=
1
s
2
_
s+4

=
1
(x +4)
2

Method II: Use Theorem 4:
L{tc
-4t
] = -
J
Js
F(s) |wheie F(s) = L{c
-4t
] ]
= -
J
Js
_
1
s -(-4)
] = -
J
Js
_
1
s +4
]
=
1
(x +4)
2

Example 23 Generalize theorem 4 and show that L{t
n
(t)] = (-1)
n
d
n
ds
n
F(s) where n is a positive
integer.
Solution
First, let us see what we obtain if n = 2:
L{t
2
(t)] = L|t(t(t))| = -
J
Js
L{t(t)]
= -
J
Js
_-
J
Js
F(s)]
= (-1)
2
J
2
Js
2
F(s)
Based on this computation, we make the following conjecture
L{t
n
(t)] = (-1)
n
J
n
Js
n
F(s)
and proceed to establish it by induction. The statement has already been established for n = 1.
Assume that it is true for n = k, that is, suppose that for any (t) that possesses a transform,


Theorem 4If L{(t)] = F(s), then L{t(t)] = -
d
ds
F(s).
Copyright Ren Barrientos Page 12

L{t
k
(t)] = (-1)
k
J
k
Js
k
L{(t)]
Then
L{t
k+1
(t)] = L|t
k
(t(t))|
= (-1)
k
J
k
Js
k
L{t(t)]
= (-1)
k
J
k
Js
k
_-
J
Js
L{(t)]]
= (-1)
k+1
J
k+1
Js
k+1
L{(t)]
= (-1)
k+1
J
k+1
Js
k+1
F(s)
QED.
Example 24 Find the Laplace transform of the function (t) = _
1 i u t < 2
t i t 2

Solution
Although individually L{1] and L{t] are easy to find (both can be obtained from the table),
combined as a piecewise defined function forces us to use the definition. Note that we must
divide |u, ) into two subintervals: |u,2) and |2, ).
L{(t)] = _ c
-st
(t)

0
Jt = _ c
-st
1
2
0
Jt +_ c
-st
t

2
Jt

Notice that neither integral on the right side of the equation is a Laplace Transform because by
definition, the limits of integration of the transform are u and infinity.
The first integral is straightforward. The second one may be simplified via the substitution
= t -2, du = dt. The new limits of integration are again u and .
We have
_ c
-st
1
2
0
Jt =
1 -c
-2s
s

The second integral becomes,
_ c
-st
t

2
Jt = _ c
-s(u+2)
(u +2)

0
Ju
= c
-2s
_ c
-su
(u +2)

0
Ju
But now using the properties of the exponential function together with linearity we have
_ c
-st
t

2
Jt = c
-2s
__ c
-su
u

0
Ju +_ c
-su
2

0
Ju_ ; u = t -2


The first integral is the transform of (u) = u and the second integral is L{2] = 2 L{1]. Thus,
_ c
-st
t

2
Jt = c
-2s
_
1
s
2
+
2
s
]
Finally,
Proper integral Improper integral
L{u] L{2]
Copyright Ren Barrientos Page 13

_ c
-st
(t)

0
Jt =
1 -c
-2s
s
+c
-2s
_
1
s
2
+
2
s
]
The Unit Step Function
The previous example illustrates the need to develop tools to hadle piecedefined functions. The unitstep
function u(t), defined below, will play a very important role in this regard. It is definned by
u(t) = _
u i t < u
1 i t u

Graphically,





We will be interested in its transform and its operational properties. Clearly L{u(t)] =
1
x
(x > u).
However, we will be more interested in the shifted unit step function (called the Heaviside Function
4
)
u(t -o) defined by
u(t -o) = _
u i t < o
1 i t o

Example 25 Let abe a fixed positive real number. Find L{u(t -a)].
Solution
Applying the definition of the Transform,
L{u(t -a)] = _ c
-st

0
u(t -a)Jt
where u(t -o) = _
u i t < o
1 i t o
. Therefore,
L{u(t -a)] = _ c
-st

u
1Jt
Let y = t -o. Then Jy = Jt and the integral takes the form
L{u(t -a)] = _ c
-s(+u)

0
Jt = c
-su
_ c
-s

0
1Jy
But the integral ] c
-s

0
1Jy is just L{1]. Thus,



This transform is important and should be added to the basic table of transforms.
The Inverse Laplace Transform
Definition The function (t) is an inverse Laplace transform of the function F(s) if L{(t)] = F(x). We also
write
L
-1
{F(x)] = (t) = F(x) = L{(t)]

4
Oliver Heaviside (1850-1925) was a self-taught English mathematician, physicist and electrical engineer who made
great contributions in applied mathematics.
L{u(t -a)] =
c
-su
s

1
Copyright Ren Barrientos Page 14

Finding the inverse transform
S
is like looking at the transform table in reverse from right to left. Thus,
if we wan to find L
-1
{1(x -2)] for example, all we need to do is identify the entry on the right
column that resembles 1(x -2) and then identify the constant(s) involved:

f(t) F(s)= L{f(t)}
4 e
at
1
x -a
; x > o

The function F(s) = 1(s -2) is of the form 1(s -o) with a = 2. This function is identified with
(t) = c
ut
. Therefore,
L
-1
_
1
x -2
_ = e
2t

We call (t) = c
2t
an inverse transform of F(s) = 1(s -2).
This is of course a very simple example, but it illustrates the concept. Usually it is much more difficult
to find an inverse transform, just as it is harder to integrate than it is to differentiate.
Linearity Properties of the Inverse Transform




In addition to these properties every formula for a transform has a counterpart in the opposite direction:


Alternatively:
L
-1
{F(x)|
x-a
] = e
at
(t)
And similarly, theorem 4 has its counterpart:



Of these, theorem S' is the more useful one.
Example 26 Find L
-1
{4(s -2)]
Solution
The second linearity property allows us to pull the constant 4 out:
L
-1
_
4
s -2
_ = 4 L
-1
_
1
s -2
_
= 4 e
2t

Example 27 Find L
-1
{ns(s
2
+4)]
Solution
The function ns(s
2
+4) may be identified with s(s
2
+o
2
) in the table with a = 2. The
inverse transform is therefore of the form cos ot:

S
Unlike the transform, the inverse transform of a function F(s) is not unique unless certain restrictions are imposed
[see example 32].
1) L
-1
{F(x) +6(x)] = L
-1
{F(x)] +L
-1
{6(x)]
2) L
-1
{k F(x)] = k L
-1
{F(x)]
Let (t) = L
-1
{F(s)] and g(t) = L
-1
{0(s)] and let k be a real number. Then
Theorem 3' L
-1
{F(x -a)] = e
at
(t)
Theorem 4' L
-1
]
d
ds
F(s) = -t(t)
Copyright Ren Barrientos Page 15

L
-1
]
ax
x
2
+4
= aL
-1
]
x
x
2
+4

= aus 2t
Example 28 Find L
-1
{1s
4
]
Solution
The function 1s
4
may be identified with n!s
n+1
with n = 3. Thus, the inverse transform will
be of the form t
3
. However, we dont have the n! " in the numerator.
The second linearity property allows us to take constants out so we use the same procedure used
with integration:
L
-1
_
1
s
4
_ = L
-1
_
1
S!
S!
s
4
_
=
1
S!
I
-1
_
S!
s
4
_ =
1

t
3

Example 29 Find L
-1
]
1
s
4
-
2
5
S

Solution
applying linearity,
L
-1
_
1
s
4
-
2
s
5
_ = L
-1
_
1
s
4
_ -L
-1
_
2
s
5
_
= L
-1
_
1
s
4
_ -2L
-1
_
1
s
5
_
But we see that the numerators are all wrong. No problem, as long as all that is missing are
constants, we can use linearity to fix the problem:
L
-1
_
1
s
4
_ -2L
-1
_
1
s
5
_ =
1
S!
L
-1
_
S!
s
4
_ -
2
4!
L
-1
_
4!
s
5
_
Each of the inverse transforms on the right corresponds to the form n!x
n+1
; the first one with
n = S and the second one with n = 4. Thus,
L
-1
_
1
x
4
-
2
x
5
_ =
1
3!
t
3
+
2
4!
t
4

Example 30 Find L
-1
]
s-4
s
2
+9

Solution
L
-1
_
s -4
s
2
+9
_ = L
-1
]
s
s
2
+9
-L
-1
_
4
s
2
+9
_



The expressions on the right hand side correspond to the transforms of cos kt and sinkt
respectively. However, the second expression on the right is missing a S in the numerator and
actually has a 4 that we do not need. Thus, we proceed as follows:
Take out the 4 using the second linearity property and simultaneously multiply and divide by
S:
L
-1
]
s
s
2
+9
-L
-1
_
4
s
2
+9
_ = L
-1
]
s
s
2
+S
2
-
4
S
L
-1
_
S
s
2
+9
_
= us 3t -
4
3
stn3t

uskt; k = 3 stnkt; k = 3
Copyright Ren Barrientos Page 16

Example 31 Find L
-1
{4s
-1
c
-5s
]
Solution
This looks very much like a step function situation: L{u(t -a)] =
c
-sc
s

L
-1
{4s
-1
c
-5s
] = 4L
-1
_
c
-5s
s
_
= 4u(t -S)
Example 32 Find two different functions whose transform is 1(s -2)
Solution
Obviously
L
-1
_
1
s -2
_ = c
2t

Thus, (t) = c
2t
is one function whose transform is 1(s -2). Now consider the function
g(t) = _
c
2t
i t = 1
4 i t = 1

Certainly (t) = g(t). However, it can be shown that
_ c
-st
(t)

0
Jt = _ c
-st
g(t)

0
Jt
That is, F(s) = 0(s) = 1(s -2). In fact, any piecewise function which differs from (t) at finitely
many points will have the same Laplace transform. However, we will assume that we seek inverse
transforms that are continuous.
Optional Section (this material may be omitted)
Proof of Theorem 2
If (t) possesses a Laplace transform F(s) = L{(t)], then F(s) - u as t - .
Pf.
|F(s)| __ c
-st
(t)

0
Jt_ _ c
-st
|(t)|

0
Jt
But if is of exponential |u, ), there are numbers o, H > u such that |(t)| Hc
ut
. Therefore,
_ c
-st
|(t)|

0
Jt H_ c
-st
c
ut

0
Jt =
H
s -o
; s > o
Thus, |F(s)|
M
s-u
if s > o and |F(s)| - u as s - .
Proof of Theorem 3
If F(s) = L{(t)], then L{c
ut
(t)] = F(s -o).
Pf.
We aie given that F(s) = ] c
-st
(t)

0
Jt. Thus,
L{c
ut
(t)] = _ c
-st
c
ut
(t)

0
Jt
= _ c
-(s-u)t
(t)

0
Jt
= F(s -o)
Copyright Ren Barrientos Page 17

A Nice Result
Let us see what happens when we apply the transform to the complex exponential c
kt
:
L{c
kt
] = _ c
-st
c
kt

0
Jt
= _ c
-(s-k)t

0
Jt
=
-1
s -i
c
-(s-k)t
_
0

=
1
s -ik

applying Eulers Formula to c
kt
and expressing the right hand side in standard form of complex
numbers
6
:
L{cos kt +i sinkt] =
1
s -ik

s +ik
s +ik

L{cos kt] +iL{sinkt] =
s
s
2
+k
2
+i
k
s
2
+k
2

Identifying the real and imaginary parts:
L{us kt] =
x
x
2
+k
2

L{stnkt] =
k
x
2
+k
2

Complex numbers are a very powerful tool indeed.


6
A complex number is in standard form when it is written as o +bi. In the present case that may be accomplished
by rationalizing the denominator.