# Heaviside? HELP

1. Dec 1, 2004

### slider527

Heaviside????? HELP

hey there peeps,

could u guys help me out with heaviside step function..cu zi don't understand anything bout how it works and how to apply to a particular problem...

could u guys explain in detail how to solve the next equations using heaviside:
exp[-2s]
F(s)= --------
s^2+s-2
and
__
|
| 0 for t<2
f(t) <
| t^2-2t+2 for t (greater or equal to ) 2
|__

ThnQ ...it means a lot to me

2. Dec 1, 2004

### fannemel

The heaviside function is most easily explained as a on-switch.

$$h(u) = \left\{ \begin{array}{rcl} \ 0 & \mbox{for} & t < u\right \\ 1 & \mbox{for} & t \geqq u \end{array}\right$$

Thus if you multiply a function with the Heaviside function, the output are zero until the t = u, from that point, the function is similar to what it would look like without multiplying with Heaviside.

I didn't understand your notation so didn't get the equation, was it laplace?

3. Dec 2, 2004

### slider527

well Laplace transformations are used to solve differential equations...
thnqs anyway,....mayb i can figure out woth u just said

4. Dec 2, 2004

### PerennialII

I was kind of left somewhat puzzled what actually comes out of this notation ... could you clarify a bit ?