Laplace Transform to Find Solution

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving an initial value problem using the Laplace transform. The problem is defined by the differential equation y'' + 4y' + 4y = f(t), where f(t) is specified as cos(ωt) for 0 < t < π and 0 for t > π, with initial conditions y(0) = 0 and y'(0) = 1.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of the Laplace transform to the given differential equation and express uncertainty about performing the inverse Laplace transform. There are attempts to isolate F(s) and analyze the right-hand side of the equation. Some participants suggest checking the formulation of the Laplace transform and the use of unit step functions.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the right-hand side of the equation and questioning the use of unit step functions. Some guidance has been offered regarding algebraic manipulation and the use of Laplace transform tables, but no consensus has been reached on the correct approach to the inverse Laplace transform.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of confusion regarding the application of unit step functions and the manipulation of terms in the Laplace transform. Participants are also navigating the complexities of the initial value problem and its implications for the solution process.

jakejakejake
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Use Laplace transfer to find the solution of the following initial value problem:

y''+4y'+4y=f(t)
where f(t) = cos(ωt) if 0<t<π and f(t)=0 if t>π ?

Also, y(0) = 0, y'(0) = 1

Currently, I have gotten to here, but not sure how to perform inverse Laplace:

(s+2)² * F(s) − 1 = [s/(s²+w²)] + e^(−πs) * [s/ (s²+ω²)]
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
jakejakejake said:
Use Laplace transfer to find the solution of the following initial value problem:

y''+4y'+4y=f(t)
where f(t) = cos(ωt) if 0<t<π and f(t)=0 if t>π ?

Also, y(0) = 0, y'(0) = 1

Currently, I have gotten to here, but not sure how to perform inverse Laplace:

(s+2)² * F(s) − 1 = s/s²+w² + e−πs *s/ s²+ω²

I suggest you put appropriate parentheses in that last line so we don't have to guess what that right hand side is supposed to really be.
 
Sorry - Edited!
 
jakejakejake said:
Use Laplace transfer to find the solution of the following initial value problem:

y''+4y'+4y=f(t)
where f(t) = cos(ωt) if 0<t<π and f(t)=0 if t>π ?

Also, y(0) = 0, y'(0) = 1

Currently, I have gotten to here, but not sure how to perform inverse Laplace:

(s+2)² * F(s) − 1 = [s/(s²+w²)] + e^(−πs) * [s/ (s²+ω²)]

After this point, you do some algebra to isolate F(s) by itself as the LHS of the equation.
Then you examine the resulting RHS and refer to a table of Laplace transforms to see if the resulting expressions in 's' can be algebraically manipulated into one or more of the forms in the table.
 
SteamKing said:
After this point, you do some algebra to isolate F(s) by itself as the LHS of the equation.
Then you examine the resulting RHS and refer to a table of Laplace transforms to see if the resulting expressions in 's' can be algebraically manipulated into one or more of the forms in the table.

I isolated F(s):
F(s) = [[s/(s²+w²)] + e^(−πs) * [s/ (s²+ω²)]] + 1 / ((s+2)²)

But I have no idea how to manipulate it to look like the ones in the table...
 
jakejakejake said:
I isolated F(s):
F(s) = [[s/(s²+w²)] + e^(−πs) * [s/ (s²+ω²)]] + 1 / ((s+2)²)

But I have no idea how to manipulate it to look like the ones in the table...

I think you have left out a factor of (1/s) when you formed the Laplace transform of the Unit Step Function, so check the F(s) equation.

Also, be careful when writing complicated rational terms: you want to make sure you use parentheses to correctly group the terms in the numerator and the denominator.

In order to analyze the F(s) expressions, split up a complicated sum into its component parts and analyze each term. After all, the Laplace transform of a sum = sum of the Laplace transforms. You will need to do even more algebra here.
 
@ted s:

For the Right Hand Side, I got
L[coswt]+L[cos(ωt+π)], or s/(s^2+w^2) + L[cos(ωt+π)],
where cos(ωt+π), using the identity for cos(x+y), =cos(−ωt)
Therefore, the LHS is:
s/(s^2+w^2)+e^(−πs)⋅s/(s^2+ω^2)
Is that not correct?
 
jakejakejake said:
@ted s:

For the Right Hand Side, I got
L[coswt]+L[cos(ωt+π)], or s/(s^2+w^2) + L[cos(ωt+π)],
where cos(ωt+π), using the identity for cos(x+y), =cos(−ωt)
Therefore, the LHS is:
s/(s^2+w^2)+e^(−πs)⋅s/(s^2+ω^2)
Is that not correct?

I'm a little rusty on this, but bear with me:

The original RHS for the ODE was:

f(t) = cos(ωt) if 0<t<π and
f(t) = 0 if t>π

which can be re-written as:

f(t) = cos(ωt) * [U(t) - U(t-π)],

where U(t-c) is the delayed Unit Step Function at t = π

I believe you have used the delayed unit impulse function δ(t-π) instead of the Unit Step Function in your re-writing of the RHS.

The delayed unit impulse function δ(t-π) = 1 at t = π and zero everywhere else.

The Unit Step Function U(t) = 1, when t > 0 and U(t) = 0 when t < 0, which also implies
that the Delayed Unit Step Function U(t-π) = 1 for t > π and zero everywhere else.
 
jakejakejake said:
@ted s:

For the Right Hand Side, I got
L[coswt]+L[cos(ωt+π)], or s/(s^2+w^2) + L[cos(ωt+π)],
where cos(ωt+π), using the identity for cos(x+y), =cos(−ωt)
Therefore, the LHS is:
s/(s^2+w^2)+e^(−πs)⋅s/(s^2+ω^2)
Is that not correct?

Using Maple, I get
{\cal L}(f)(s) = \int_0^{\pi} e^{-st} \cos(\omega t) \, dt<br /> = \frac{s}{s^2+\omega^2} -\frac{\cos(\pi \omega) \, s\, e^{-\pi s}}{s^2+\omega^2}<br /> +\frac{\omega \sin(\pi \omega) \, e^{-\pi s}}{s^2 + \omega^2}
Wolfram Alpha gives the same result.
 
  • #10
I too plugged it into Wolfram Alpha and got that result. I guess I can agree to that, though I still do not see the direct process used to derive the second and third terms.
If somebody can assist, that would be great.

Secondly, this is only half the problem - once we have this, we have to inverse Laplace to find y(t), which I am still having trouble with. There are no easy ways to group it, once dividing everything by (s + 2)^2...
 
  • #11
jakejakejake said:
I too plugged it into Wolfram Alpha and got that result. I guess I can agree to that, though I still do not see the direct process used to derive the second and third terms.
If somebody can assist, that would be great.

Do you have the formula ##\mathcal L(f(t)u(t-a)) = e^{-as}\mathcal L(f(t+a))##? Your function is
$$\cos(\omega t)(1-u(t-\pi)) = \cos(\omega t) - \cos(\omega t)u(t-\pi)$$Use the above formula on that second term.
 
Last edited:
  • #12
Right, but that just means the second term is e^(−πs)*L[cos(ωt+π)],
where cos(ωt+π), using the identity for cos(x+y), = cos(−ωt), no?
 
  • #13
jakejakejake said:
Right, but that just means the second term is e^(−πs)*L[cos(ωt+π)],
where cos(ωt+π), using the identity for cos(x+y), = cos(−ωt), no?

Not quite. If ##f(t) = \cos(\omega t)## then ##f(t+\pi) = \cos(\omega(t+\pi))=\cos(\omega t + \omega \pi)##. Not quite what you wrote and this will get you to the correct answer.
 
  • #14
OK I almost got it. One last thing: Why is it cos(ω(t+π)) and not cos(ω(t-π))?
 
  • #15
LCKurtz said:
Do you have the formula ##\mathcal L(f(t)u(t-a)) = e^{-as}\mathcal L(f(t+a))##?

jakejakejake said:
OK I almost got it. One last thing: Why is it cos(ω(t+π)) and not cos(ω(t-π))?

Because of the above formula. If what you are really asking is where that formula comes from, try working out$$
\mathcal L(f(t)u(t-a))=\int_0^\infty e^{-st}f(t)u(t-a)~dt$$
 
  • #16
Right, I understand the formula, but I thought that at the end, when I have completed the inverse Laplace and put the UnitStep function back into the formula for y(s), wherever there's a "t," I should put a "t-pi"? Which appears contradictory to placing "t+pi" here.
 
  • #17
jakejakejake said:
Right, I understand the formula, but I thought that at the end, when I have completed the inverse Laplace and put the UnitStep function back into the formula for y(s), wherever there's a "t," I should put a "t-pi"? Which appears contradictory to placing "t+pi" here.

That is a different question. For doing inverses you need the formula for ##\mathcal L^{-1}
(e^{-as}F(s))##.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K