Laplace Transform f(t)=tcos(t)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the Laplace transform of the function f(t) = t cos(t). Participants are exploring various methods and approaches to tackle this problem within the context of Laplace transforms.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Some participants suggest using the complex form of cosine to facilitate integration. Others discuss the potential of integration by parts as a method to solve the integral directly.
  • There are mentions of differentiating the Laplace transform of cos(t) with respect to s to derive the transform for t cos(t), raising questions about the validity of moving the derivative inside the integral.
  • Participants also explore alternative methods, such as integrating the Laplace transform of sin(t) to derive the transform of sin(t)/t, questioning the limits and the behavior of the resulting expressions.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with various methods being proposed and explored. Some participants express gratitude for the suggestions provided, indicating a collaborative atmosphere. However, there is no explicit consensus on a single method or approach to solve the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating through different techniques while adhering to homework constraints, which may limit the extent of provided solutions. There are also discussions about the assumptions made in the integration process and the implications of those assumptions on the results.

mbisCool
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Homework Statement


I need to find the laplace transform of f(t)=tcos(t).


Homework Equations


\int e^-^s^ttcos(t)dt



The Attempt at a Solution


I just need help on how to integrate this. I can find the answer easily using the f(t)=tcos(kt) general formula but I wish to find it directly.
 
Last edited:
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Use the complex form of the cosine.
 
Thank you :)
 
I get \mathcal{L} [tcost] = \frac {1}{2} ( \frac {1}{(i-s)^{2}} + \frac {1}{(i+s)^{2}})

Hopefully that simplifies to \frac {s^{2}-1}{(s^{2}+1)^{2}}
 
Last edited:
Integration by parts also works but thanks :D
 
mbisCool said:
Integration by parts also works but thanks :D

Even if you use the complex form of cos(t), you still have to integrate by parts (albeit it's rather simple).

\frac {1}{2} \int^{ \infty}_{0} e^{-st}t \frac {1}{2}(e^{it} + e^{-it})dt

= \frac {1}{2} \int^{ \infty}_{0} te^{(i-s)t}dt + \frac {1}{2} \int^{ \infty}_{0} te^{-(i+s)t}dt
 
You don't need to integrate by parts at all. Just compute the Laplace transform of cos(t). Differentiating with respect to s will then bring down a factor of minus t in the Laplace integral.
 
Count Iblis said:
You don't need to integrate by parts at all. Just compute the Laplace transform of cos(t). Differentiating with respect to s will then bring down a factor of minus t in the Laplace integral.

Cool shortcut. I've never seen it before.

\mathcal{L} [cos(t)] = \int^{ \infty}_{0} e^{-st}cos(t)dt

\frac {d}{ds} \mathcal{L} [cos(t)] = \frac {d}{ds} \int^{ \infty}_{0} e^{-st}cos(t)dt

Assuming it's okay to bring the derivative inside the integral,

= \int^{ \infty}_{0} \frac {d}{ds} e^{-st}tcos(t)dt

= -\int^{ \infty}_{0}te^{-st}cos(t)dt

= -\int^{ \infty}_{0}e^{-st}tcos(t)dt = - \mathcal{L} [tcos(t)]
 
then it would appear that \frac {d^{2}}{ds^{2}} \mathcal{L} [cos(t)] = \mathcal{L} [t^{2}cos(t)]
 
  • #10
Another trick: To obtain the Laplace transform of, say, sin(t)/t you can compute the Laplace transform of sin(t) and then integrate w.r.t. s from p to infinity. The Laplace transform is then a function of the parameter p. If you put p = 0, you obtain the integral of sin(t)/t from zero to infinity. What's interesing about this is that the antiderivative of sin(t)/t cannot be evaluated in closed form.
 
  • #11
Count Iblis said:
Another trick: To obtain the Laplace transform of, say, sin(t)/t you can compute the Laplace transform of sin(t) and then integrate w.r.t. s from p to infinity. The Laplace transform is then a function of the parameter p. If you put p = 0, you obtain the integral of sin(t)/t from zero to infinity. What's interesing about this is that the antiderivative of sin(t)/t cannot be evaluated in closed form.

I have to see for myself.

\mathcal{L} [sin(t)] = \int^{ \infty}_{0} e^{-st}sin(t)dt

\int^{ \infty}_{p} \mathcal{L} [sin(t)] = \int^{ \infty}_{p} \int^{ \infty}_{0} e^{-st}sin(t)dtds

Changing the order of integration (which I assume is allowed),

= \int^{ \infty}_{0} \int^{ \infty}_{p} e^{-st}sin(t)dsdt

= \int^{ \infty}_{0} \frac {1}{t}e^{-pt}sin(t)dt

= \int^{ \infty}_{0} e^{-pt} \frac {sin(t)}{t}dt = \mathcal{L} [ \frac {sin(t)}{t}]

According to the table, \mathcal{L} [ \frac {sin(t)}{t}] = arctan( \frac {1}{p})

Should you then take the limit of arctan( \frac {1}{p}) as p goes to zero?

\int^{ \infty}_{0} \frac {sin(t)}{t}dt = \lim_{p \to 0} arctan( \frac {1}{p}) = \frac {\pi}{2} ?
 
  • #12
You can derive that the Laplace transform of sin(t)/t is arctan(1/p) by integrating the Laplace transform of sin(t). If you integrate
1/(s^2+1) from p to infinity, you get pi/2 - arctan(p).
 

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