Second shifting theorem of Laplace transform

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the second shifting theorem of the Laplace transform, exploring its proof and derivation. Participants seek to understand the theorem's origins and mathematical justification, with references to various approaches and proofs.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Exploratory, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests a proof of the second shifting theorem, expressing difficulty in finding resources that explain its derivation.
  • Another participant attempts to provide a proof by working backward from the theorem's statement, detailing the steps involved in the transformation process.
  • A third participant echoes the previous proof attempt but raises questions about specific steps, particularly regarding changing the limits of integration and variable substitution.
  • A different approach is introduced, involving the convolution integral and the Dirac delta function, suggesting that the inverse transform of the product of two transforms can be expressed through convolution.
  • Participants engage in clarifying points about the proof, including corrections to mathematical expressions and discussing the use of variable substitution to simplify integration limits.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the proofs presented, as there are multiple approaches and some points of contention regarding specific steps in the derivation process.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the justification for certain mathematical steps, such as changing integration limits and variable substitutions, indicating that these aspects may require further clarification or exploration.

Sturk200
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Can anybody direct me towards a proof of the second shifting theorem for Laplace transforms? I'm understanding how to use it but I can't figure out where it comes from. I've been learning from Boas, which doesn't offer much in way of proof for this theorem. Are there any good resources online where I can get a feel for where this theorem comes from? Or, if it's simple, can somebody explain the derivation?

Thanks in advance.
 
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I'll give it a shot, but I don't work much with the Laplace Transform, so please forgive any mistakes.
The transform is defined by:
##\mathcal{L} \{ f(t) \} = F(s) = \int_0^\infty e^{-ts} f(t) dt.##
And the second shifting theorem is
##\mathcal{L} \{H(t-c) f(t-c) \} = e^{-sc} \mathcal{L} \{f(t) \}##
So, let's start with the result and work backward.
##\mathcal{L} \{H(t-c) f(t-c) \} = e^{-sc} \mathcal{L} \{f(t) \} \\
\qquad \qquad =e^{-sc} \int_0^\infty e^{-ts} f(t) dt \\
\qquad \qquad = \int_0^\infty e^{-(t+c)s} f(t) dt##
Now, the goal is to show that this is equivalent to:
##\int_0^\infty e^{ts} H(t-c) f(t-c)dt\\
=\int_c^\infty e^{-ts} f(t-c)dt\\
=\int_0^\infty e^{-(t+c)s} f(t)dt\\##
So...there it is.
 
RUber said:
I'll give it a shot, but I don't work much with the Laplace Transform, so please forgive any mistakes.
The transform is defined by:
##\mathcal{L} \{ f(t) \} = F(s) = \int_0^\infty e^{-ts} f(t) dt.##
And the second shifting theorem is
##\mathcal{L} \{H(t-c) f(t-c) \} = e^{-sc} \mathcal{L} \{f(t) \}##
So, let's start with the result and work backward.
##\mathcal{L} \{H(t-c) f(t-c) \} = e^{-sc} \mathcal{L} \{f(t) \} \\
\qquad \qquad =e^{-sc} \int_0^\infty e^{-ts} f(t) dt \\
\qquad \qquad = \int_0^\infty e^{-(t+c)s} f(t) dt##
Now, the goal is to show that this is equivalent to:
##\int_0^\infty e^{ts} H(t-c) f(t-c)dt\\
=\int_c^\infty e^{-ts} f(t-c)dt\\
=\int_0^\infty e^{-(t+c)s} f(t)dt\\##
So...there it is.

Thanks for your reply. I think I am on the verge of understanding, but how do you justify that last step where you change the bottom limit of integration back to zero, and substitute (t+c) for t? Also correct me if I'm wrong but I think you left out a minus sign in the exponent on the first line after "is equivalent to".
 
I just came across another proof of the second shifting theorem using the convolution integral and the Dirac delta function.

We want to find the inverse transform of F(s) = e-saG(s), where G is the transform of some function g(t). The inverse Laplace transform of e-sa is δ(t-a), and the inverse of G(s) is g(t). To find the inverse of the product of e-sa and G(s), we take the convolution of their independent inverses:

f(t) = ∫0tg(t-T)δ(T-a)dT = g(t-a), provided that t is greater than a, so as to include the "spike" of the delta function in the bounds of integration, otherwise the convolution will be zero. This result can now be expressed as the product g(t-a)H(t-a), where H(t-a) is the unit step function.

Thus the Laplace transform of g(t-a)H(t-a) = e-saG(s).
 
Sturk200 said:
Thanks for your reply. I think I am on the verge of understanding, but how do you justify that last step where you change the bottom limit of integration back to zero, and substitute (t+c) for t? Also correct me if I'm wrong but I think you left out a minus sign in the exponent on the first line after "is equivalent to".
Yes, I did miss the negative exponent.
Sometimes the substitution is easier to see if a different variable is used.
Let u = t-c, t= u+c. du=dt, so with the substitution, the integral from c to infinity dt becomes an integral from 0 to infinity du.
 

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