Laplace transform of a simple equation (Simple question)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the application of the Laplace transform to the differential equation ##x''(t)=0## with initial conditions ##x(0)=0## and ##x'(0)=0##. Participants explore the implications of the transform and the behavior of the resulting function ##X(s)##, particularly at the point ##s=0##.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant states that applying the Laplace transform leads to the equation ##s^2X(s)=0##, questioning why this implies ##X(s)=0## without considering ##s=0##.
  • Another participant asserts that the solution is ##x(t)=0##, noting that the Laplace transform of zero is also zero.
  • A different participant challenges the assumption that ##X(s)## must be zero for ##s=0##, suggesting that ##X(s)## could potentially differ from zero at that point.
  • One participant argues that the focus should be on the Laplace transform ##X(s)##, which returns zero for any value of ##s##, emphasizing that ##s## is a parameter that varies from 0 to infinity.
  • Another participant elaborates on the limitations of the definition of ##X(s)##, indicating that it is only valid for ##\operatorname{Re}(s) > 0## and that analytic continuation is necessary for ##\operatorname{Re}(s) \leq 0##, leading to the conclusion that ##X(s) \equiv 0## everywhere.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of the Laplace transform at ##s=0##, with no consensus reached regarding whether ##X(s)## can be non-zero at that point. The discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the dependence of the validity of the Laplace transform on the real part of ##s##, highlighting that the definition is not universally applicable across the complex plane.

LagrangeEuler
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Lets consider very simple equation ##x''(t)=0## for ##x(0)=0##, ##x'(0)=0##. By employing Laplace transform I will get
s^2X(s)=0 where ##X(s)## is Laplace transform of ##x(t)##. Why then this is equivalent to
X(s)=0
why we do not consider ##s=0##?
 
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The solution is x(t)=0. Laplace transform of 0 is also 0.
 
I know that. I am asking you why we do not consider that for ##s=0##, ##X(s)## can be different from zero?
 
I do not think our problem is to get value of s to satisfy
s^2 X(s) = 0
because s is parameter transformed which varies from 0 to infinity in usual.
We should have interest on Laplace transform X(s) and observe that it returns zero for any s.
 
LagrangeEuler said:
I am asking you why we do not consider that for s = 0, X(s) can be different from zero?

The definition <br /> X(s) \equiv \int_0^\infty x(t)e^{-st}\,dt is not valid for every s \in \mathbb{C} (in general it's only valid for s with sufficiently large and positive real part). Where that definition is not valid, we must define X(s) by analytic continuation from the domain where it is valid. In this case, the equation s^2X(s) = 0 obtained from integrating x&#039;&#039;(t)e^{-st} is only valid for \operatorname{Re}(s) &gt; 0. The unique analytic extension of X to \operatorname{Re}(s) \leq 0 then gives X(s) \equiv 0 everywhere.
 

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