Find Laplace Transform of $ t^2+1)^2 $ without Expansion

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The Laplace transform of the function \( (t^2 + 1)^2 \) can be computed without expansion by utilizing the properties of derivatives and the Laplace transform formula. Specifically, the second derivative \( f''(t) \) is used, leading to the equation \( \mathcal{L}\{f''(t)\} = s^2F(s) - sf(0) - f'(0) \). The final result is \( \mathcal{L}\{(t^2 + 1)^2\} = \frac{24}{s^5} + \frac{4}{s^3} + \frac{1}{s} \), derived from evaluating the Laplace transforms of the components of \( f''(t) \).

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Laplace transforms and their properties
  • Familiarity with derivatives and their applications in calculus
  • Knowledge of integral calculus, particularly improper integrals
  • Basic concepts of complex analysis related to convergence
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of Laplace transforms in detail, including the use of derivatives
  • Learn about the application of the convolution theorem in Laplace transforms
  • Explore the use of the integral definition of the Laplace transform for various functions
  • Investigate advanced techniques in complex analysis that relate to Laplace transforms
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in engineering, mathematics, and physics who are learning or applying Laplace transforms, particularly those interested in alternative methods of computation without expansion.

nacho-man
Messages
166
Reaction score
0
How do you find the laplace transform of this without expanding it?

$ L(t^2+1)^2 $
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
nacho said:
How do you find the laplace transform of this without expanding it?

$ L(t^2+1)^2 $

You can use the fact that for n positive integer is...

$\displaystyle \int_{0}^{\infty} t^{n}\ e^{- s\ t}\ dt = \frac{n!}{s^{n+1}}\ (1)$ ... expanding $\displaystyle (1 + t^{2})^{2}$ in powers of t... Kind regards $\chi$ $\sigma$

I didn't realize immediately that it was requested 'without expanding' ... very sorry!...
 
nacho said:
How do you find the laplace transform of this without expanding it?

$ L(t^2+1)^2 $

The possible solution is the use of a 'forgotten formula' ['forgotten' in the sense that it is neglected from most of the Complex Analysis 'Holybooks'...] according to which if You have two L-transformable functions $f_{1}(t)$ and $f_{2} (t)$ with L-transforms $F_{1} (s)$ and $F_{2} (s)$ and abscissas of convergence $\sigma_{1}$ and $\sigma_{2}$, then the L-transform of the product is given by the integral... $\displaystyle \mathcal {L} \{f_{1}(t)\ f_{2}(t)\} = \frac{1}{2\ \pi\ i}\ \int_{\gamma - i\ \infty}^{\gamma + i\ \infty} F_{1} (z)\ F_{2}(s - z)\ dz\ (1)$

... where $\displaystyle \sigma_{1} < \gamma < \sigma - \sigma_{2},\ \sigma> \sigma_{1} + \sigma_{2}$. In Your case is $\displaystyle f_{1}(t) = f_{2} (t) = 1 + t^{2} \implies F_{1}(s) = F_{2}(s) = \frac{1}{s} + \frac{2}{s^{3}},\ \sigma_{1}=\sigma_{2}=0$. May be it exists a more comfortable way but till now I didnn't succed to find it!(Emo)...Kind regards $\chi$ $\sigma$
 
nacho said:
How do you find the laplace transform of this without expanding it?

$ L(t^2+1)^2 $

To compute this without expanding requires a little trick (especially if you're allowed to do this without using the integral definition of $\mathcal{L}\{f(t)\}$).

Let $f(t) = (t^2+1)^2$. We note that $f(0)=1$.

Thus, $f^{\prime}(t) = 4t(t^2+1)$ and hence $f^{\prime}(0) = 0$.

Finally, we see that $f^{\prime\prime}(t) = 4(t^2+1) + 8t^2 = 12t^2+4$.

Why did we compute all these derivatives? Well, we know that $\mathcal{L}\{f^{\prime\prime}(t)\} = s^2F(s) - sf(0) - f^{\prime}(0)$, which in our case would be $\mathcal{L}\{f^{\prime\prime}(t)\}=s^2F(s)-s$.

Therefore,

\[\mathcal{L}\{12t^2+4\} = \mathcal{L}\{f^{\prime\prime}(t)\} = s^2F(s)-s\]

We now compute the appropriate Laplace transforms and solve for $F(s)$:

\[s^2F(s) - s = \mathcal{L}\{12t^2+4\} = 12\cdot\frac{2!}{s^3}+4\cdot\frac{1}{s}=\frac{24}{s^3}+\frac{4}{s} \implies F(s) = \frac{24}{s^5} + \frac{4}{s^3}+\frac{1}{s}\]

Therefore, $\mathcal{L}\{(t^2+1)^2\} = \dfrac{24}{s^5}+\dfrac{4}{s^3}+\dfrac{1}{s}$.

I hope this makes sense!
 
Question for the OP. Why would you want to compute this transform without expanding? I mean expanding would be the easiest approach.

BTW - Nice work Chris!

Following Chris's lead, you could keep going
\begin{align}
f(t) &= (t^2+1)^2,\;\;\; &f(0)&=1\\
f'(t) &= 4t(t^2+1)\;\;\; &f'(0)&=0\\
f''(t) &=4(t^2+1) + 8t^2,\;\;\;&f''(0)&=4\\
f'''(t) &= 8t + 16t,\;\;\;&f'''(0)&=0\\
f^{(4)}(t)&=24,\;\;\;&f^{(4)}(0)&=24\\
f^{(5)}(t)& = 0,
\end{align}

Then

$\mathcal{L}\{f^{(5)}(t)\} = s^5F(s) - f(0) s^4 - f'(0) s^3 - f''(0) s^2 - f'''(0) s - f^{(4)}(0) = 0.$

Substitute $f$ and its derivative at zero and solve for $F$ (same answer)
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the responses.

@Jester, really no other reason than for the sake of it. I've just started to learn laplace transforms and am finding a little out of the box thinking helps a lot.
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
5K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K