Solve Laplace Transform of Diff. Equation: x(t) with ICs x(0)=-2, dx/dt(0)=8

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a second-order differential equation using the Laplace transform, specifically addressing the equation \(\frac{d^2x}{dt^2}+4\frac{dx}{dt}+4x=6e^{-2t}\) with initial conditions \(x(0)=-2\) and \(\frac{dx}{dt}(0)=8\). Participants explore the application of Laplace transforms, the handling of initial conditions, and the process of finding the inverse transform.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the differential equation and initial conditions, expressing uncertainty about the Laplace transform process, particularly regarding the exponential term.
  • Another participant critiques the initial Laplace transform attempt, emphasizing the importance of boundary conditions in the transformation process.
  • A participant seeks clarification on the differences between the Laplace transform formulas found in the wiki and their textbook, noting discrepancies in the treatment of derivatives.
  • Further contributions involve rewriting the original equation in familiar notation and discussing the steps to transform both sides of the equation, including grouping terms and isolating the Laplace transform.
  • Participants discuss the process of partial fraction decomposition to simplify the resulting expressions and prepare for the inverse Laplace transform.
  • There are questions about the application of the s-shift theorem and the linearity theorem in the context of the Laplace transform.
  • One participant expresses confusion about the inverse Laplace transform of certain terms and the correct application of theorems related to shifting and linearity.
  • Another participant attempts to derive the inverse Laplace transform of the resulting expressions, indicating a struggle with the calculations and the need for further clarification.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need to correctly apply the Laplace transform and its properties, but there is no consensus on the specific steps or interpretations of the formulas. Multiple competing views on the application of theorems and the handling of terms remain evident throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about specific mathematical steps, particularly in the context of inverse transforms and the application of theorems. There are references to different notations and potential omissions in textbooks that may affect understanding.

Fisher92
Messages
75
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Differential equation:

\frac{d^2x}{dt^2}+4\frac{dx}{dt}+4x=6e^{-2t}

with initial conditions x(0)=-2 and \frac{dx}{dt}(0)=8

Use the laplace transform to solve for x(t)


Homework Equations



http://www.atp.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/rt1/syscontrol/node9.html

Laplace transform theorems

The Attempt at a Solution


Taking Laplace transform results:

{s^2X(s)-sx(0-)-f(0-)}+4{sX(s)-f(0-)}+{4X(s)}=6X(s+2)

I am not sure about this but I *think* its right, the e term worries me a bit?

Normally I would just throw the initial conditions in here but I have a differential initial condition - not sure what to do with it?

This is for an intro control systems course so I may be missing something very easy??

Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Your Laplace transform of the original DE is lacking. The boundary conditions form an integral part of the transform process.

See this article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laplace_transform

specifically the table of Laplace transforms for the first and second derivative.
 
I figured that I was missing something fundamental here but I still can't see it? -"The boundary conditions form an integral part of the transform process." Can't seem to find a good explanation of this in the wiki article or my textbook, can you explain it a bit please.

Also, I checked my 1st and 2nd derivative transformation against the table in the wiki and my textbook and saw that they are different? wiki: f''(t)=s^2f(s)-sf(0)-f'(0)
text book: f''=s^2F(s)-sf(0-)-f(0-)///////My textbook (Control Systems, Nise) seems to omit the first derivative in the Laplace transform of a second derivative?

Thanks a lot/
 
Fisher92 said:
Differential equation:

\frac{d^2x}{dt^2}+4\frac{dx}{dt}+4x=6e^{-2t}

with initial conditions x(0)=-2 and \frac{dx}{dt}(0)=8

Use the laplace transform to solve for x(t)

Taking Laplace transform results:

{s^2X(s)-sx(0-)-f(0-)}+4{sX(s)-f(0-)}+{4X(s)}=6X(s+2)

Ahhh Laplace.. the bane of my existence..

Firstly, I am not a homework helper so take what I have written with caution and wait for confirmation from someone more qualified.

Secondly, the wiki page is correct for first and second diff. I can't comment on your textbook as I've never used it, but the wiki information for this specific detail is correct (at least according to what I was taught).

The below is just the original question rewritten into notations I'm familiar with:
y" + 4y' + 4y = 6e^{-2t} where y" = second diff, y' = first
y(0) = -2 and y'(0) = 8

My first step is usually check the RHS and transform accordingly before working with the left (truthfully I begin with LHS and RHS in the one step, but for simplicity I'm splitting it).

Then I will substitute the respective equivalent for y" and y', paying careful attention to any coefficients. You'll end up with something like:
s^{2}L[y] + 2s - 8 +4sL[y] + 8 + 4L[y] = \frac{6}{s + 2}
Next, group the L[y] terms and transfer non "L[y]" terms to the RHS, thus:
L[y](s^{2} +4s + 4) = \frac{6}{s + 2} -2s or similarly: L[y](s + 2)^{2} = \frac{6}{s + 2} -2s
The problem is not finished, but hopefully you can finish from here.
 
Thanks for the help so far, fyi (if interested) my textbook is the same as wiki only it has the first derivative denoted as a dot instead of ' so I missed it, the conditions make much more sense now. The problem asks for x(t) so I now just use Laplace to go back to the time domain?
Having some trouble with this, I'm trying to use inverse laplace but confusing myself a lot.

- Picking up where schmiggy left off (saw that I messed up the e term two -thanks) -

L[y](s + 2)^{2} = \frac{6}{s + 2} -2s

what is the L[y]? just a change in variable name? L[y] = F[x]?

inverse Laplace: \frac{6}{s + 2} -2s =6e^{-2t} - 1/x(t)

I think that I've already messed this up with the lase term?

Thanks
 
Fisher92 said:
Thanks for the help so far, fyi (if interested) my textbook is the same as wiki only it has the first derivative denoted as a dot instead of ' so I missed it, the conditions make much more sense now. The problem asks for x(t) so I now just use Laplace to go back to the time domain?
Having some trouble with this, I'm trying to use inverse laplace but confusing myself a lot.

- Picking up where schmiggy left off (saw that I messed up the e term two -thanks) -

L[y](s + 2)^{2} = \frac{6}{s + 2} -2s

what is the L[y]? just a change in variable name? L[y] = F[x]?

inverse Laplace: \frac{6}{s + 2} -2s =6e^{-2t} - 1/x(t)

I think that I've already messed this up with the lase term?

Thanks

L[y] is the laplace transform. L[y] shouldn't disappear. Also you've done the inverse laplace of the RHS prematurely.

You need to divide the LHS by (s + 2)^2 to get it to the RHS and L[y] by itself. Before doing that though you need to combine \frac{6}{s + 2} -2s into one term. The final step before calculating the inverse laplace transform will be to use partial fractions to find all the terms.

If you have access to matlab, you can use it to verify your answer.
 
Thanks,

where I'm at now:

\frac{6}{s + 2} -2s = \frac{6+(-2s)(s+2)}{s+2}=\frac{2(-s^2-2s+3)}{s+2}
\frac{(\frac{2(-s^2-2s+3)}{s+2})}{((s+2)^2)}=L[y]
=\frac{2(-s^2-2s+3)}{(s+2)^3} =\frac{-2s^2-4s+6}{(s+2)^3}
\frac{-2s^2-4s+6}{(s+2)^3}=\frac{x}{s+2}+\frac{y}{(s+2)^2}+\frac{z}{(s+2)^3}
-2s^2-4s+6=(s+2)^2*x+(s+2)*y+z
-2s^2-4s+6=(s^2+4s+4)x+(s+2)y+z
equating coefficients:
6=4x+2y+z
-4=4x+y
-2=x
solving...
\frac{2(-s^2-2s+3)}{(s+2)^3} = \frac{-2}{s+2}+\frac{4}{(s+2)^2}+\frac{6}{(s+2)^3}

god damn partial fractions!

Hopefully that's right/ inverse Laplace:

L[\frac{-2}{s+2}]+L[\frac{4}{(s+2)^2}]+L[\frac{6}{(s+2)^3}]=
x(t)=-2e^{2t}+4?+6?

Having some trouble with the inverse Laplace of the 2nd and 3rd term and am also unsure of the first. The table doesn't have laplace for 1/(s+a)^2?

Thanks for helping out.
 
Have you covered the s-shift theorem yet?
 
  • #10
I have now but I'm not totally sure how it applies?
L[e^(-at)f(t)]=F1(s)+f2(s)
2nd and 3rd term are f1 and f2 respectively?

L[\frac{4}{(s+2)^2}]+L[\frac{6}{(s+2)^3}]=4(t+2)^2+6(t+2)^3?
 
  • #11
Oops! that's the Linearity theorem
L[e^(-at)f(t)]=F(s+a)

I have s^2 + a^2, can i treat s as s2? I think probably not?

Thanks
 
  • #12
Fisher92 said:
I have now but I'm not totally sure how it applies?
L[e^(-at)f(t)]=F1(s)+f2(s)
2nd and 3rd term are f1 and f2 respectively?

L[\frac{4}{(s+2)^2}]+L[\frac{6}{(s+2)^3}]=4(t+2)^2+6(t+2)^3?
You'll get a better definition of the s-shifting theorem if you watch a youtube video or read about it (also known as first shifting theorem) but I can try demonstrate by example.
\frac{4}{(s+2)^2}
Pretend the inner term on the denominator isn't there initially, so the term would become:
\frac{4}{s^2}
Calculating the laplace transformation of the above you get: 4t
Next you want to calculate the laplace of the term we pretended didn't exist, only rather than trying to transform (s+2), you'll be transforming 1/(s+2), which becomes:
e^{-2t}
Combining the two, you get:
4te^{-2t}
Now try it with the next.

It would be great if an actual homework helper would chime in, thanks.
 
  • #13
x(t)=4(t+2)^2+4te^{-2t}+L^{-1}[\frac{6}{(s+2)^3}]
L^{-1}\frac{6}{(s+2)^3}=L[\frac{6}{s^3}]+1/(s+2)^2]

Here I think that i need to use t^nu(t)->\frac{n!}{s^{n+1}} but my n is not right?

This all seems to be trending towards my MATLAB solution to the ODE except that i need another e term in this part, which I think will come with 1/(s+2)^2 if that's correct?


Thanks
 
  • #14
Fisher92 said:
x(t)=4(t+2)^2+4te^{-2t}+L^{-1}[\frac{6}{(s+2)^3}]
L^{-1}\frac{6}{(s+2)^3}=L[\frac{6}{s^3}]+1/(s+2)^2]

Here I think that i need to use t^nu(t)->\frac{n!}{s^{n+1}} but my n is not right?

This all seems to be trending towards my MATLAB solution to the ODE except that i need another e term in this part, which I think will come with 1/(s+2)^2 if that's correct?Thanks
You need to read up on the s-shifting theorem, the second term once you've applied s-shift becomes:
3t^{2}e^{-2t}
You were correct that your "n!" wasn't correct, but always work with the base. So our base was s^3, and the formula was s^(n+1), which means n = 2. If n = 2, then the numerator becomes 2, however we need it to be 6 so you need to find a multiple which will yield 6.. i.e 2 x 3 = 6.
So the overall solution would be:
-2e^{-2t} + 4te^{-2t} + 3t^{2}e^{-2t}
But again, wait for confirmation from a homework helper. In the meantime, read up on s-shift and try repeat those last steps I did.
 
  • #15
Thanks, that's the answer according to matlab, i.e. that's the answer...

I get the s shift with a power of 2, even found a very similar example in my textbook for it...
I can see that te^(-2t) comes from 1/(s+2)^2, working backwards leaves me with 3t to add from somewhere - which could be 3/s^2? I can't see how 6/(s+2)^3 breaks up like this? Could you please tell me how you broke this up?
 
  • #16
Fisher92 said:
Thanks, that's the answer according to matlab, i.e. that's the answer...

I get the s shift with a power of 2, even found a very similar example in my textbook for it...
I can see that te^(-2t) comes from 1/(s+2)^2, working backwards leaves me with 3t to add from somewhere - which could be 3/s^2? I can't see how 6/(s+2)^3 breaks up like this? Could you please tell me how you broke this up?

Righto, I'll try break it down into steps, starting with a basic example before showing how I got the one you're asking about.

Let's start with:
\frac{8}{(s+4)^2}
Now, we obviously can't do a straight transform, so we need to break it up into parts we can. The easiest way to identify the first component is to replace whatever is inside the brackets with 's', which gives us:
\frac{8}{s^2}
This one is easy to transform, looking at the table of laplace transforms we can see it is of the form:
\frac{n!}{s^{n+1}}
Now we know we have an s^2 term, so "n" must be 1, which gives us:
\frac{1}{s^2} however we need:
\frac{8}{s^2}
Therefor we must multiply by 8, eg:
8 * \frac{1}{s^2} = \frac{8}{s^2}
So we take the laplace transform of 1/s^2 (which is 't') and multiply it by 8 giving us 8t, that's our first part. Next we need to deal with the brackets we replaced earlier with 's'. As (s+4) is in the denominator, we take it as 1/(s+4) and then transform it, which is another easy one. The transform is:
\frac{1}{s+4} = e^{-4t}
Now, combining the two we get:
8te^{-4t}
So that's a basic example, onto the one you wanted help with:
\frac{6}{(s+2)^3}
So again, replace the bracket with 's', yielding:
\frac{6}{s^3}
Again, this is in a very familiar form, the same as that in the original equation only our n = 2 in order to give us s^3. But as you noticed we run into an issue, if we sub n = 2 into the formula we get:
\frac{2}{s^3}
Only we need:
\frac{6}{s^3}
So, as with the first example, we need to multiply it by some number so that it is correct, thus:
3 * \frac{2}{s^3} = \frac{6}{s^3}
So, we know the transform of
\frac{2}{s^3} = t^2
So then we multiply it by 3, giving us 3t^2. That is the first part of our transform, now we move onto the brackets we replaced with 's'. Same as with the first example, take it of the form 1/(s+2) which is easily transformed using the table:
\frac{1}{s+2} = e^{-2t}
Now combining the two we get:
3t^{2}e^{-2t}

Phew! Big post.. that took a long time to write out (partially because I was watching a movie) but hopefully it helps!
 
  • #17
Thanks heaps schmiggy, that makes sense to me now!

-really appreciate the help!
 
  • #18
No problem at all, glad I could be of help!
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 79 ·
3
Replies
79
Views
7K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
4K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K