Having trouble with the Laplace Transform

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on solving the differential equation $y'' + 4y' + 4y = e^t$ using the Laplace Transform method. The user derived the equation $Y = \frac{s^2 + 2s + 2}{(s + 2)(s + 2)}$ and encountered difficulties with partial fraction decomposition. They successfully used polynomial long division to arrive at the solution $y(t) = 1 - 2e^{-2t} + 2te^{-2t}$. The user also inquired about Wolfram Alpha's representation of the constant term as a Dirac delta function, which is clarified by the property $\mathcal{L} \{ \delta(t) \} = 1$.

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  • Understanding of Laplace Transforms and their properties
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shamieh
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Solve by Laplace Transforms.

$y'' + 4y' + 4y = e^t$ $y(0) = 1$, $y'(0) = 0$So I've got

$s^2Y - s + 4sY - 1 + 4Y = \frac{1}{s+1}$

then I got:
$ Y = \frac{s^2+2s+2}{(s+2)(s+2)}$

Now here is where I am getting lost on the partial fraction decomposition..

I've got $s^2+2s+2 = A(s+2) + B$ I got $A =1$ but can't remember what to do to get $B$ .. is $B=0$?
 
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Nevermind, I solved it using polynomial long division which really sucked.

But I ended up with $1 - 2e^{-2t} + 2te^{-2t}$ but why does wolphram alpha replace the 1 with a $\delta$?
 
shamieh said:
Nevermind, I solved it using polynomial long division which really sucked.

But I ended up with $1 - 2e^{-2t} + 2te^{-2t}$ but why does wolphram alpha replace the 1 with a $\delta$?

... because is ...

$\displaystyle \mathcal {L} \{ \delta (t) \} = \int_{0}^{\infty} \delta (t)\ e^{- s\ t}\ d t = e^{0} = 1 \implies \mathcal{L}^{-1} \{ 1\} = \delta(t)\ (1)$

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 

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