Sign problem in laplace transform

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the evaluation of the Laplace transform of the function defined piecewise, particularly focusing on the integral of cos(t)e^{-st} from π/2 to infinity. Participants are examining the implications of the function's definition and the behavior of the cosine function over the specified interval.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to evaluate the integral using integration by parts and expresses concern over a potential sign error in their result. Other participants question the assumptions regarding the positivity of the result and the origin of the cosine function in the context of the piecewise function.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, with some providing insights into the implications of the piecewise function and the Laplace transform properties. There is recognition of differing interpretations of the integral based on the function's definition, but no explicit consensus has been reached regarding the correctness of the original poster's calculations.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted confusion regarding the application of the Laplace transform formula and how it relates to the integral being evaluated. The discussion also touches on the need to clarify the definitions and assumptions underlying the piecewise function and its transformation.

Mechdude
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Homework Statement


[tex]\int_{\pi/2}^{\infty}cos(t)e^{-st}dt[/tex]

Homework Equations

[tex]\int vdu=uv-\int udv[/tex]
[itex]v=cos(t) , dv=-sin(t)dt[/itex], [itex]du=e^{-st} , u=\frac{-e^{-st}} {s}[/itex]

The Attempt at a Solution


[tex]\int_{\pi/2}^{\infty}cos(t)e^{-st}dt = \frac{-e^{-st}}{s}cos(t) -\int (-)\frac{-e^{-st}}{s}(-)sin(t)dt[/tex]
the right side becomes:
[tex]\frac{-e^{-st}}{s}cos(t) - \frac{1}{s} \int e^{-st}sin(t)dt[/tex]
for the second integral on the right:[itex]v=sin(t) , dv=cos(t)dt[/itex] and [itex]du=e^{-st} , u=\frac{-e^{-st}} {s}[/itex]
[tex]\int e^{-st}sin(t)dt =- \frac{1}{s}e^{-st}sin(t)dt - \int \frac{-e^{-st}}{s}cos(t)[/tex]
now [tex]\int_{\pi/2}^{\infty}cos(t)e^{-st}dt = \frac{-e^{-st}}{s}cos(t) - \frac {1}{s} \left[ - \frac{1}{s}e^{-st}sin(t) + \int \frac{e^{-st}}{s}cos(t)dt \right][/tex]
thus
[tex]\frac{-e^{-st}}{s}cos(t) + \frac {1}{s^2}e^{-st}sin(t) - \frac {1}{s^2} \int e^{-st}cos(t)dt[/tex]
simplifying
[tex]\int_{\pi/2}^{\infty}cos(t)e^{-st}dt \frac {s^2 +1} {s^2}= \frac {1}{s^2}e^{-st}sin(t) - \frac{e^{-st}}{s}cos(t)[/tex]
going on :
[tex]\int_{\pi/2}^{\infty}cos(t)e^{-st}dt = \frac {s^2}{s^2 +1} \left[ \frac {1}{s^2}e^{-st}sin(t) - \frac{e^{-st}}{s}cos(t) \right][/tex]
the right side is:
[tex]= \frac {1}{s^2 +1}e^{-st}sin(t) + \frac{e^{-st}}{s^2+1}scos(t)[/tex]
now when i evaluate the limits:
[tex]=(0-0) - ( \frac{e^{-s\pi/2}}{s^2+1} - 0 )[/tex]
[tex]=- \frac{e^{-s\pi/2}}{s^2+1}[/tex]
im sure this is wrong because of the sign (its supposed to be positive now where did i drop the sign? can u help? this was the function whose transform i was looking for
[tex] f(x)=\left\{\begin{array}{cc}0,&\mbox{ if }0\leq x\leq \pi/2 \\<br /> cos(t), & \mbox{ if } x>\pi/2 \end{array}\right.[/tex]
 
Last edited:
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I get the same thing you got. Why would you think the answer should be positive? cos(t) is negative for pi/2<t<3pi/2. If you were trying to transform that step function f(x), where did the cos(t) come from?
 
Dick said:
, where did the cos(t) come from?

well typo on my part , let me edit it,
 
Here's the culprit :
[tex]L \left\{ U_{a}(t) f(t-a) \right\} = e^{-as} F(s)[/tex]
which implies my result might be wrong
 
Mechdude said:
Here's the culprit :
[tex]L \left\{ U_{a}(t) f(t-a) \right\} = e^{-as} F(s)[/tex]
which implies my result might be wrong

That formula would be helpful for integrating cos(t-pi/2)*exp(-ts) from pi/2 to infinity. But that's not the same as your problem.
 
So the answers for them would be different?
 
So the answers for them would be different? As an aside how would you determine [tex]L(t^2u(t-1))[/tex] with the hint to write [tex]t^2u(t-1)[/tex] in the form f(t-a)u(t-a)
 
Mechdude said:
So the answers for them would be different? As an aside how would you determine [tex]L(t^2u(t-1))[/tex] with the hint to write [tex]t^2u(t-1)[/tex] in the form f(t-a)u(t-a)

Sure the answers to cos(t)e^(-st) and cos(t-pi/2)*e^(-st) integrated from pi/2 to infinity are different. If you want t^2 to be f(t-1) then I guess f(t) would have to be (t+1)^2, right?
 
Thats sensible thanks,
 

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