Help in Laplace Transform, not homework

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the Laplace transform of the function y(t) = e^{-at}cos(bt). The original poster expresses confusion regarding a negative sign in their derived expression, which they believe should not be present.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the integration by parts method for calculating the Laplace transform and question the correctness of signs in the derived expressions. There are suggestions to reconsider the approach by using complex exponentials instead of trigonometric functions.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing feedback on the original poster's work and suggesting alternative methods. There is a recognition of potential errors in the integration process, but no consensus has been reached on the specific mistake.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of correctly applying integration by parts and the implications of sign errors in the context of Laplace transforms. The original poster has expressed frustration over repeated attempts to identify the source of the negative sign in their calculations.

yungman
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I am trying to do laplace transform of [itex]y(t)=e^{-at}\cos (bt)\;[/itex]. The answer should be:

[tex]\frac {s+a}{(s+a)^2+b^2}[/tex]

But here is my work, I can't get rid of the -ve sign. I must be too blind to see the obvious, please help:

[tex]\overline{y(s)}=\int^∞_0 e^{-(s+a)t}\cos (bt) dt\;=\; \frac 1 b [e^{-(s+a)t}\sin(bt)]^∞_0\;+\frac {s+a}{b}\int^∞_0\;e^{-(s+a)t}\sin (bt) dt[/tex]

[tex][e^{-(s+a)t}\sin(bt)]^∞_0 =0 \;\Rightarrow\; \overline{y(s)}= \frac {s+a}{b}\int^∞_0\;e^{-(s+a)t}\sin (bt) dt\;=\;-\frac {s+a}{b^2} [e^{-(s+a)t}\cos(bt)]^∞_0\;-\frac {(s+a)^2}{b^2}\int^∞_0\;e^{-(s+a)t}\cos (bt) dt[/tex]

[tex][e^{-(s+a)t}\cos(bt)]^∞_0 =1 \;\Rightarrow\; \overline{y(s)}= -\frac {s+a}{b^2}-\frac {(s+a)^2}{b^2}\int^∞_0\;e^{-(s+a)t}\cos (bt) dt\;=\;-\frac {s+a}{b^2}-\frac {(s+a)^2}{b^2}\overline{y(s)}[/tex]

[tex]\Rightarrow\;\left(1+\frac {(s+a)^2}{b^2}\right)\overline{y(s)}\;=\;-\frac {s+a}{b^2}\;\Rightarrow\; \overline{y(s)}\;=\; -\frac {s+a}{(s+a)^2+b^2}[/tex]

You see the -ve sign? Please tell me what I did wrong.

Thanks
 
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yungman said:
I am trying to do laplace transform of [itex]y(t)=e^{-at}\cos (bt)\;[/itex]. The answer should be:

[tex]\frac {s+a}{(s+a)^2+b^2}[/tex]

But here is my work, I can't get rid of the -ve sign. I must be too blind to see the obvious, please help:

[tex]\overline{y(s)}=\int^∞_0 e^{-(s+a)t}\cos (bt) dt\;=\; \frac 1 b [e^{-(s+a)t}\sin(bt)]^∞_0\;+\frac {s+a}{b}\int^∞_0\;e^{-(s+a)t}\sin (bt) dt[/tex]

[tex][e^{-(s+a)t}\sin(bt)]^∞_0 =0 \;\Rightarrow\; \overline{y(s)}= \frac {s+a}{b}\int^∞_0\;e^{-(s+a)t}\sin (bt) dt\;=\;-\frac {s+a}{b^2} [e^{-(s+a)t}\cos(bt)]^∞_0\;-\frac {(s+a)^2}{b^2}\int^∞_0\;e^{-(s+a)t}\cos (bt) dt[/tex]

[tex][e^{-(s+a)t}\cos(bt)]^∞_0 =1 \;\Rightarrow\; \overline{y(s)}= -\frac {s+a}{b^2}-\frac {(s+a)^2}{b^2}\int^∞_0\;e^{-(s+a)t}\cos (bt) dt\;=\;-\frac {s+a}{b^2}-\frac {(s+a)^2}{b^2}\overline{y(s)}[/tex]

[tex]\Rightarrow\;\left(1+\frac {(s+a)^2}{b^2}\right)\overline{y(s)}\;=\;-\frac {s+a}{b^2}\;\Rightarrow\; \overline{y(s)}\;=\; -\frac {s+a}{(s+a)^2+b^2}[/tex]

You see the -ve sign? Please tell me what I did wrong.

Thanks

On line 2 you should have a + sign in front of the last integral on the right, because you have a negative v = -w in the integration-by-parts formula uv - ∫ v du = -uw + ∫ w du.

One question: why did you not just get the transform of exp(-at)*exp(i*b*t)? That way you would get transforms of both exp(-at)*cos(bt) and exp(-at)*sin(bt) in the same calculation. and that calculation would take just one step---plus extracting real and imaginary parts.

RGV
 
Ray Vickson said:
On line 2 you should have a + sign in front of the last integral on the right, because you have a negative v = -w in the integration-by-parts formula uv - ∫ v du = -uw + ∫ w du.

One question: why did you not just get the transform of exp(-at)*exp(i*b*t)? That way you would get transforms of both exp(-at)*cos(bt) and exp(-at)*sin(bt) in the same calculation. and that calculation would take just one step---plus extracting real and imaginary parts.

RGV

Thanks for the reply. But on the second integral it is
[tex]-\int wdu\;\hbox { where }\; u= e^{-(s+a)t} \Rightarrow du=-(s+a)e^{-(s+a)t} dt\;,\; dw=\sin(bt)dt\;\Rightarrow \;w=-\frac 1 b \cos (bt)[/tex]

[tex]\Rightarrow\; -\int wdu\;=\; -\frac {-(s+a)}{-b}\int^∞_0 e^{-(s+a)t} \cos(bt)dt[/tex]

You see the -ve sign holds?

I just did it the first way come to mind to prove the formula, not working as an exercise. Now I got stuck in this! I gone through so many times and just can't see what I did wrong!
 
Last edited:
You could take two derivatives and find that

x''= -2ax' + (b^2-a^2)x (I hope I did that right)

And take the laplace of both sides, use the rule for the laplace of a derivative, then solve for the laplace of x
 
yungman said:
Thanks for the reply. But on the second integral it is
[tex]-\int wdu\;\hbox { where }\; u= e^{-(s+a)t} \Rightarrow du=-(s+a)e^{-(s+a)t} dt\;,\; dw=\sin(bt)dt\;\Rightarrow \;w=-\frac 1 b \cos (bt)[/tex]

[tex]\Rightarrow\; -\int wdu\;=\; -\frac {(s+a)}{b}\int^∞_0 e^{-(s+a)t} \cos(bt)dt[/tex]

You see the -ve sign holds?

I just did it the first way come to mind to prove the formula, not working as an exercise. Now I got stuck in this! I gone through so many times and just can't see what I did wrong!

Yes, I see them, and I shouldn't, because they do not belong. Go back and look again!

RGV
 
Ray Vickson said:
Yes, I see them, and I shouldn't, because they do not belong. Go back and look again!

RGV
I don't see it. I look at this for a long time. I modified the last post to reflect the -ve signs and still the same. Please point it out. I know once a while, I get into this and I just cannot see it. This is supposed to be an easy proof of the formula.
 
yungman said:
I don't see it. I look at this for a long time. I modified the last post to reflect the -ve signs and still the same. Please point it out. I know once a while, I get into this and I just cannot see it. This is supposed to be an easy proof of the formula.

I have already pointed out your error, and suggested to you that you do the whole thing again, using exp(i*b*x) instead of sin(bx) or cos(bx). If you do not wish to use my hints, that is OK by me, but I am all out of suggestions.

RGV
 
Last edited:
Ray Vickson said:
I have already pointed out your error, and suggested to you that you do the whole thing again, using exp(i*b*x) instead of sin(bx) or cos(bx). If you do not wish to use my hints, that is OK by me, but I am all out of suggestions.

RGV

Yes, I actually did the problem using complex Euler formula already. But that does not answer the question why I can't get the right sign. I check it so many times. Whether the way I do this is the most efficient way is besides the point. The point is why don't I get the right answer using simple integrate by parts. No matter what, I should get the correct answer. Right?
 
Anyone please?
 

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