1 4.

1 Definition of Laplace Transform Objectives:

Laplace transform is one of the best known and most widely used integral transforms. In this section we define this Transform and derive Laplace Transform of some functions. We will see that Laplace Transform provides a way to solve differential equations by converting them to algebraic equations. Also, used to solve integral equations. It has many important applications in mathematics, physics, optics, electrical engineering, control engineering, signal processing etc.

Definition of Laplace Transform of a function Let f (t ) be a function which is defined for t > 0 . Then the LT of f (t ) is:
L

{f (t )} = e
0

st

f (t ) d t

provided the integral is convergent The above integral is improper integral defined by

g (x ,t )f (t )dt = lima g (x ,t )f (t )dt

0 0

Existence of Laplace Transform Defined over piecewise continuous function on [ 0, ) of exponential order for t > T i.e., f (t ) Me t >T with both c, M >0.
ct

f(t) f(t) of
Exp Order

t a t1 t2 t3 b T

f(t) of not exp order

Examples on Exponential order

et

Some Important Points Function f (t ) = e is not of exponential order

t2

Function such as t with positive integer n is always of exponential order. Laplace transform is linear For integral to be convergent we require that s > 0 .