How to tell if F(s) is laplace transform?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on identifying whether specific functions, F(s) and G(s), qualify as Laplace transforms. Participants explore the properties and characteristics that may indicate a function is a Laplace transform, without attempting to invert the transforms.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the relationship between known Laplace transforms and the given functions may indicate their status as Laplace transforms.
  • One participant expresses skepticism about the functions being Laplace transforms, proposing that they might originate from unrelated contexts.
  • Another participant mentions that the functions could be combinations of well-known Laplace transforms, which is a common characteristic of more complex transforms.
  • Concerns are raised regarding the convergence of the second function, with a suggestion that a convergence argument may be necessary to establish its status as a Laplace transform.
  • There is a reference to Pade tables and Tauberian theorems as potentially relevant concepts in determining the nature of the transforms.
  • A participant notes that the product of Laplace transforms has an inverse related to convolution, mentioning the inverse Laplace transform of a specific function as the Bessel function of order zero.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether the functions can be classified as Laplace transforms, with no consensus reached on the criteria for such classification.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the need for convergence arguments and the potential relevance of specific mathematical theorems, indicating that the discussion may depend on additional assumptions or definitions not fully explored.

useruseruser
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Explain why the functions

F(s)=\frac{s^2+4s+17}{s^5+16s^3+2^2+6}
G(s)=\frac{2s}{(s^2+4)(\sqrt{1+s^2})}

are Laplace transforms. (DO NOT TRY TO INVERT THESE LAPLACE TRANSFORMS)

Is it something to do with some basic property of laplace transform?
 
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Maybe it relates how you take some known Laplace transforms, and make other transforms from them.
 
useruseruser said:
Explain why the functions

F(s)=\frac{s^2+4s+17}{s^5+16s^3+2^2+6}
G(s)=\frac{2s}{(s^2+4)(\sqrt{1+s^2})}

are Laplace transforms.

Because that's what a Laplace transform does. <--Put that into technical terms.
 
I would be very tempted to answer "How do you these are Laplace transforms" with "You don't. It is quite possible that these functions came from something that has nothing to do with Laplace transforms". But I suspect the question is really "How do you know there are functions that have these Laplace transforms". That, I would probably say, is because they are combinations of well known Laplace transforms- and Laplace transforms of complicated functions are typically combinations of Laplace transforms of simpler functions.
 
The first one is a well-behaved one (simple poles etc.) but for the second, I think you need to come up with a convergence argument such that, we can approximate your function with the squareroot arbitrarily close by rational functions, such that the limit will be your transform.

I don't remember exactly your answer but I suspect that this has to do with the existence of Pade tables and the related conditions.

They typically use it in the elasticity or that kind of areas where the Laplace transforms look very unconventional.

Edit : It should be something related to Tauberian theorems if I am not mistaken
 
Last edited:
The product of Laplace transforms always has an inverse, given by a convolution product. The Inverse Laplace transform of
1/sqrt(1+s^2) is the Bessel function of order zero.
 

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