Taking the inverse laplace of this?

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    Inverse Laplace
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around taking the inverse Laplace transform of a specific expression related to a piecewise-defined second order differential equation. Participants explore methods for simplifying the expression and applying inverse Laplace techniques.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the expression \((-4s-1)/(4s^2 + s + 4)\) and expresses difficulty in taking the inverse Laplace transform.
  • Another participant suggests simplifying the numerator by separating it into two fractions and questions the inability to complete the square for the denominator.
  • A later reply provides a reformulation of the expression into two fractions, indicating that one of them can be handled using the sine function identity, while expressing uncertainty about the first fraction.
  • Another participant advises using standard lookup tables for the inverse Laplace transform, specifically referencing resources like Wikipedia.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best approach to take the inverse Laplace transform, with some suggesting methods while others express uncertainty about specific steps.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the assumptions made about the ability to complete the square and the specific forms of the fractions after separation. The discussion also reflects varying levels of familiarity with inverse Laplace techniques.

Marshillboy
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How do I take the inverse laplace transform of something that looks like this? It's part of a larger piecewise-defined second order differential equation, but this is the part I'm stuck on.

(-4s-1)/(4s^2 + s + 4)

Completing the square doesn't work for the bottom, so I figure I need to separate the whole thing into two separate fractions. I still can't figure out how to take the inverse laplace of either resulting fraction, however.
 
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You can simplify the numerator by breaking across the difference, using the rule \frac{a+b}{c}=\frac{a}{c}+\frac{b}{c}.

For the denominator, just looking at it I can't see why you can't complete the square, if I'm wrong, please show us why.

Also, if you come to something in your steps that you're not sure how to take the inverse Laplace of, show us, we might be able to give an idea.
 
I see.

So, doing so would give me

\frac{-s}{(s+1/8)^{2}+63/64}+\frac{-1/4}{(s+1/8)^{2}+63/64}

The second fraction would be simple to use with the e^{at} sin(bt) identity since it's just a coeffecient on top, but what about the first?
 
This is just standard look up tables, look it up on wikipedia.
 

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