Laplace Transforms Translation Theorems

By definition, the Laplace transform of
 is

L 
 =

 = 


Some of the most common transforms are:

L 1 =

L sin  =

L cos  =

1



 +

L    =

!

 


 +

L 
  =

1


L sinh  =

L cosh  =


 


 

These are obtained from the definition by integrating by parts. In each of these transforms, the
expression in the bracket is
 and the result on the right side is .
First Translation Theorem

If we seek the Laplace transform of


, an exponential multiple of
, then


L 

 =

 =  


This result is known as the First Translation Theorem, so called because   translates the graph of
  units to the right (if  > 0), or || units to the left (if  < 0). The notation for the theorem is
L 

 = L 
|  * = |  * =  

where    means s in  is replaced by  .

Example: Consider L 
+  , . Here, a = 5 and
 =  , . Then,

6!
720
L 
+  ,  = *L  , |+ = * / 0
=
 +  5/

Example: Consider L 
 cos 3. Here, a = -1 and
 = cos 3. Then,


+1
=
6
 + 9   + 1 + 9

L 
 cos 3 = L cos 3|  * = *

Department of Mathematics, Sinclair Community College, Dayton, OH

Taking the inverse of a Laplace Transform, that is, L  , will return the original function
.
For example:
1
L  7 8 = 1


L  7

L  9


8 = sin 
 +

!

8
 

= 


: = cos 
 +


Example: Find L  9; :.

L
,

Example: Find L  9< +:.

L  7

L  7

L  7

L  7

L  9

1
8 =




8 = sinh 
 


: = cosh 
 

1
1  5!
1 + +
7 , 8 = L 7 , 8 =  =

5!

5!
5!

2 6
2
6

6
5
L  >
8 = L  7
8 L  7
8 = 2 L  9
:
?
 5
 5
 5
 5

5
5
6
= 2 cosh 5
sinh 5
5

Inverse Form of the First Translation Theorem

Since L 

 = L 
|  = |  =  ,* taking the inverse we get
L    = L  |  =

.*

Here    means that   is replaced by .

Example: Find L  9

A
:.
< A <

L  7




8 = L  *7
80
 + 2 + 
 +  

Example: Find L  9BC :.

L  7

=
 sin 

1
1 
3!
1  * 3!

B  B
=
L
=
L
=
8
7
8
7
80
 3D
 3D
3!
3!
 D B
3!

Department of Mathematics, Sinclair Community College, Dayton, OH

Second Translation Theorem

If
  is multiplied by the unit step function U , the transform is changed to
 .
Alternatively, if E is multiplied by the unit step function U , the transform is changed to

 L E + . That is,

L 
 U  =
 

L EU  =
 L E + 

This is known as the Second Translation Theorem.

Example: Evaluate L  3 U 3.

 = 3,
 =  ,  = L   =

2!
B

L  3 U 3 =

2
B
B

Example: Evaluate L  3 U 3 using the alternative method.

 = 3, E =  3 , E + 3 = 

L  3 U 3 =

B L   =

2
B
B

Inverse Form of the Second Translation Theorem

The inverse form of the Second Translation Theorem is

L  
  =
 U 

Example: Find L  9

F G<H
:.
I

1  2
1
L 7 B 8 = 
2

2

1
=  2
2

 
1
> B ? =  2 U 2

2

Department of Mathematics, Sinclair Community College, Dayton, OH

Exercises:
1.
2.

3.

4.

L 
B sin 2

5.

L 
 3B 

6.

L  2U 2

7.

L 
B U 3

L  2B
 U 2
L  7


8
 + 1
K

L  J
L
 +1

Answers:

1.

2.

3.
4.

2
 + 3 + 4

3!
12
12
8

D
B
 1
 1
 1
 1

B
+1

5.

6.

7.

6

 1D

U 1
  U 1

 cos U O Q
2

Department of Mathematics, Sinclair Community College, Dayton, OH