Laplace transform of the multiplication of two functions

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on finding the Laplace transform of the product of two functions: ##\phi(t) = \cos(\omega t)## and ##f(t) = u(t) - u(t - k)##, where ##u(t)## is the unit step function. The user encountered difficulties with convolution in the frequency domain due to gamma functions and mismatched limits. A solution is proposed involving the expansion of the cosine function and integration over periodic intervals. The user is directed to apply the definition of the Laplace transform directly to resolve their confusion.

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Debdut
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I have two functions ##\phi(t)=\cos(\omega t)## and ##f(t)=u(t)−u(t−k)## with ##f(t)=f(t+T)##, ##u(t)## is the unit step function.
The problem is to find Laplace transform of ##\phi(t) \cdot f(t)##.

I have tried convolution in frequency domain, but unable to solve it because of gamma functions. Also a doubt is arising about the limits of the convolution. Laplace transform of multiplication of simple functions and convolution of their individual transforms are not matching when taking limits like ##0 \rightarrow s## or ##s \rightarrow \infty## or ##0 \rightarrow \infty##.

I have also thought about integration by parts of ##\phi(t)f(t)e^{−st}## as its limits are known: ##0 \rightarrow \infty##. But value of a periodic function at infinity is undefined.

I am stuck, please help...

<Moderator's note: Member has been warned not to remove template.>
 
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Debdut said:
I have two functions ##\phi(t)=\cos(\omega t)## and ##f(t)=u(t)−u(t−k)## with ##f(t)=f(t+T)##, ##u(t)## is the unit step function.
The problem is to find Laplace transform of ##\phi(t) \cdot f(t)##.

I have tried convolution in frequency domain, but unable to solve it because of gamma functions. Also a doubt is arising about the limits of the convolution. Laplace transform of multiplication of simple functions and convolution of their individual transforms are not matching when taking limits like ##0 \rightarrow s## or ##s \rightarrow \infty## or ##0 \rightarrow \infty##.

I have also thought about integration by parts of ##\phi(t)f(t)e^{−st}## as its limits are known: ##0 \rightarrow \infty##. But value of a periodic function at infinity is undefined.

I am stuck, please help...

<Moderator's note: Member has been warned not to remove template.>

Assuming that ##T > k## the problem is do-able. Here is one way to do it.

Your transform has the form
$$ \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \int_0^k e^{-s(t+nT)} \cos(wt+nT)) \, dt $$
Expand the ##\cos(wt +n w T)## and then do the integrations.
 
Last edited:
Thank you very much sir.
I must say that I don't fully understand the above expression. The only formulae that I have got are from this site:
http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/pdf/Laplace_Table.pdf
Could you please offer some explanation or redirect me to any reference where I can learn it more?
 
Debdut said:
Thank you very much sir.
I must say that I don't fully understand the above expression. The only formulae that I have got are from this site:
http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/pdf/Laplace_Table.pdf
Could you please offer some explanation or redirect me to any reference where I can learn it more?

Just apply the definition of the Laplace transform: ##\int_0^{\infty} e^{-st} F(t) \, dt##. Now use the fact that ##F(t)## is the product of a periodic (period ##T##) "rectangular" function of width ##k## and ##\cos(wt)##. Express the integrals over ##T < t < 2T, 2T < t < 3T, \ldots## as integrals over ##0 < t < T## with shifted values of ##t##.

Reading about Laplace transforms won't help much; just go back to the start and apply the definition.
 
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OK, thank you again.
 

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