Inital value problem, Laplace transform

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion focuses on solving the initial value problem defined by the differential equation x'' + 2x' + x = g(t), where g(t) is piecewise defined. The user applied the Heaviside function and the Laplace transform, resulting in G(s) = (1 - 2e^{-s})(2/s + 1/s² + 1/(s+1)²). However, the user failed to incorporate the initial conditions, which are crucial for obtaining the complete solution. The missing initial conditions, x(0) = 0 and x'(0) = 0, are essential for fully solving the problem.

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Homework Statement



Solve inital value problem: x''+2x'+x=g(t)

g(t)=
t 0<t<1
2-t 1<t<2
0 t>2

Homework Equations



Second shift theorem, Heaviside function and Laplace transforms. I denote Heaviside,functuon H(t-a), and Laplace transform with L

The Attempt at a Solution



I rewrote the problem with Heaviside functions:

g(t)=t+(2-t)H(t-1)
L(t+(2-t)H(t-1))= [itex]\frac{1}{s^{2}}[/itex]+[itex]\frac{2e^{-s}}{s^{2}}[/itex]

After this I transformed the original diff. equation and plugged in my transform of g(t). After some simplification I got:G(s)=(1-[itex]2e^{-s}[/itex])([itex]\frac{1}{s^{2}(s+1)^{2}}[/itex])
And after partial fraction decomp. I got:

G(s)=(1-[itex]2e^{-s}[/itex])([itex]\frac{2}{s}[/itex]+[itex]\frac{1}{s^{2}}[/itex]+[itex]\frac{1}{(s+1)^{2}}[/itex])

If I use inverse Laplace transform I get

x(t)=f(t)-2f(t-1)H(t-1)

where

f(t)=(t+2)e[itex]^{-t}[/itex]+t-2

According to my book, this is only about half of the answer. I am missing some step and I can't figure out what is it! All help is appreciated

Thanks in advance!
 
Last edited:
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I didn't check your work, but I notice that you haven't mentioned the initial conditions. Unless you were given x(0) = 0 and x'(0) = 0 you have left something out, which might explain why you don't have the whole answer.
 

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