Solving an IVP using Laplace Transforms.

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving an initial value problem (IVP) using Laplace transforms, specifically addressing the equation \(\frac{d^2 x}{dt^2}+2\frac{dx}{dt}+x = 5e^{-2t} + t\) with initial conditions \(x(0) = 2\) and \(\frac{dx}{dt}(0) = -3\). Participants explore the transformation process, the application of the Laplace theorem, and the calculation of residues.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents their transformation of the IVP and subsequent calculations, leading to a complex expression for \(x(s)\).
  • Another participant confirms the residue \(R3 = 5\) and suggests calculating other residues similarly.
  • Several participants point out potential errors in the initial transformation steps, particularly regarding the handling of initial conditions and the application of the Laplace transform for derivatives.
  • One participant acknowledges the errors pointed out and expresses understanding of the corrections made to their calculations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on the correctness of the initial transformation steps, as multiple participants highlight potential mistakes. The discussion includes both confirmations of certain calculations and corrections of others, indicating ongoing debate and refinement of the approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the correct application of the Laplace transform, particularly in relation to the initial conditions and the transformation of derivatives. There are unresolved mathematical steps that may affect the overall solution.

geno678
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Solving an IVP using Laplace Transforms. HELP!

Ok I'm supposed to Solve this problem using Laplace Transforms.

[tex]\frac{d^2 x}{dt^2}+2\frac{dx}{dt}+x = 5e^{-2t} + t[/tex]

Initial Conditions

x (0) = 2 ; [tex]\frac{dx}{dt} (0) = -3[/tex]

so I transformed the the IVP and it looks like this

[tex]s^2 x(s) - s x(s) - x (0) + 2 x(s) - x(0) + x(s) = \frac{5}{s+2} + \frac {1}{s^2}[/tex]

Then I plugged in my initial conditions[tex]s^2 x(s) + 3s - 2 + 2 x(s) - 2 + x(s) = \frac{5}{s+2} + \frac {1}{s^2}[/tex]Then I factored the x(s) on the left side, and found a common denominator on the right side

[tex]s^2 x(s) + 2 x(s) + x(s) + 3s - 4 = \frac{5}{s+2} + \frac {1}{s^2}[/tex][tex]s^2 x(s) + 2 x(s) + x(s) + 3s - 4 = \frac{5}{s+2}*\frac {s^2}{s^2} + \frac {1}{s^2} *\frac {s+2}{s+2}[/tex]

[tex]s^2 x(s) + 2 x(s) + x(s) + 3s - 4 = \frac{5s^2}{(s+2)s^2} + \frac {s+2}{(s^2)(s+2)}[/tex]

[tex]s^2 x(s) + 2 x(s) + x(s) + 3s - 4 = \frac{5s^2 + s + 2}{(s+2)s^2}[/tex]

[tex](s^2 + 2s + 1) x(s) = \frac{5s^2 + s + 2}{(s+2)s^2} - 3s +4[/tex]

Then I found x(s)

[tex](s+1)(s+1) x(s) = \frac{5s^2 + s + 2}{(s+2)s^2} (- 3s +4)*\frac{(s+2)s^2}{(s+2)s^2}[/tex]

[tex](-3s +4)*(s^3 + 2s^2) = -3s^4 - 6s^3 + 4s^3 + 8s^2[/tex]

[tex]x(s) = \frac{5s^2 + s + 2 -3s^4 - 6s^3 + 4s^3 + 8s^2 }{(s+2)(s^2)(s+1)^2}[/tex]

[tex]x(s) = \frac{13s^2 + s + 2 -3s^4 -2s^3 }{(s+2)(s^2)(s+1)^2}[/tex]

Now I used the heaviside theorem to find the residues.

[tex]x(s) = \frac{13s^2 + s + 2 -3s^4 -2s^3 }{(s+2)(s^2)(s+1)^2} = \frac{R1}{s} + \frac{R2}{s^2} + \frac{R3}{s+2} + \frac{R4}{(s+1)^2} + \frac{R5}{s+1}[/tex]

Ok so here is where I'm stuck. Say I try to solve for R3.

[tex]R3 = (s+2) x(s) |s = -2 , \frac{13s^2 + s + 2 -3s^4 -2s^3 }{(s^2)(s+1)^2} | s = -2 ] = 5[/tex]

Ok so I got the correct residue for R3, but now I'm stuck what do I do after this?
 
Last edited:
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Hi !

OK. R3=5
Why not doing the same for the other coefficients ?
multiply by (s+1)² to compute R4
multiply by s² to obtain R2
 


geno678 said:
Ok I'm supposed to Solve this problem using Laplace Transforms.

[tex]\frac{d^2 x}{dt^2}+2\frac{dx}{dt}+x = 5e^{-2t} + t[/tex]

Initial Conditions

x (0) = 2 ; [tex]\frac{dx}{dt} (0) = -3[/tex]

so I transformed the the IVP and it looks like this

[tex]s^2 x(s) - s x(s) - x (0) + 2 x(s) - x(0) + x(s) = \frac{5}{s+2} + \frac {1}{s^2}[/tex]

Before you get too deep into your calculation, you might want to double check this result. The Laplace transform of the second derivative is

$$\mathcal L[\ddot{x}(t)](s) = s^2 X(s) - s x(t=0) - \dot{x}(t=0),$$
whereas you seem to have written

$$s^2 X(s) - sX(s) - x(0).$$
(I'm writing ##X(s)## for the transform to make it easier to distinguish from x(t)).

When you transform the first derivative term, it also looks like you didn't factor through the 2 : you wrote ##2X(s)-x(t=0)## instead of ##2X(s) - 2x(t=0)##.
 


Mute said:
Before you get too deep into your calculation, you might want to double check this result. The Laplace transform of the second derivative is

$$\mathcal L[\ddot{x}(t)](s) = s^2 X(s) - s x(t=0) - \dot{x}(t=0),$$
whereas you seem to have written

$$s^2 X(s) - sX(s) - x(0).$$
(I'm writing ##X(s)## for the transform to make it easier to distinguish from x(t)).

When you transform the first derivative term, it also looks like you didn't factor through the 2 : you wrote ##2X(s)-x(t=0)## instead of ##2X(s) - 2x(t=0)##.

Oh I see it now that's why I've been messing up. Thanks.
 
Last edited:


Mute said:
Before you get too deep into your calculation, you might want to double check this result. The Laplace transform of the second derivative is

$$\mathcal L[\ddot{x}(t)](s) = s^2 X(s) - s x(t=0) - \dot{x}(t=0),$$
whereas you seem to have written

$$s^2 X(s) - sX(s) - x(0).$$
(I'm writing ##X(s)## for the transform to make it easier to distinguish from x(t)).

When you transform the first derivative term, it also looks like you didn't factor through the 2 : you wrote ##2X(s)-x(t=0)## instead of ##2X(s) - 2x(t=0)##.

So it ends up becoming

[tex]s^2 X(s) - s X(0) - \dot{x}(0)[/tex]

Which in turn becomes

[tex]s^2 X(s) - 2s +3[/tex]
 

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