CHAPTER

LAPLACE TRANSFORMS

5.1 Introduction and Definition

In this section we introduce the notion of the Laplace transform. We will use
this idea to solve differential equations, but the method also can be used to
sum series or compute integrals. We begin with the definition:

Laplace Transform
Let f (t) be a function whose domain includes (0, ) then the Laplace trans-
form of f (t) is:
Z
L(f (t))(s) = f (t)est dt
0

Note that the Laplace transform of a function is another function whose

variable is usually denoted as s. Also note that the Laplace transform involves
an improper integral. We compute the Laplace transform of several functions:

Example 5.1 Compute the Laplace transform of f (t) = 1

127
128 CHAPTER 5. LAPLACE TRANSFORMS

Solution:
c
1 st
Z
st
L(1)(s) = 1e dt = lim e
0 c s 0
In order for this limit to exist, we must insist that s 6= 0 and that s > 0 so
that esc has a limit (of zero). When s > 0, we obtain
1 1
lim (esc 1) =
s c s
So
1
L(1)(s) = ; s > 0.
s

Example 5.2 Compute the Laplace transform of f (t) = t

Solution: Z
L(t)(s) = test dt
0
We integrate by Parts (letting u = t and dv = est dt) to obtain:
1 1
Z
test dt = test 2 est ,
s s
so Z c
st 1 st 1 st
te dt = lim te 2 e
0 c s s
0
In order for this limit to exist, we again must insist that s 6= 0 and that s > 0
so that esc has a limit (of zero). We obtain
1 1
lim (cesc 0) 2 lim (esc 1)
s c s c
which exists for s > 0 and after LHopitals rule yields
1
L(t)(s) = ; s > 0.
s2

The previous example can be upgraded to find the Laplace transform of

f (t) = tn for any positive integer n.
5.1. INTRODUCTION AND DEFINITION 129

Example 5.3 Show that if f (t) = tn , for any positive integer n then
n
L(tn )(s) = L(tn1 )(s)
s
Solution: Z
n
L(t )(s) = tn est dt
0
n
We integrate by Parts (letting u = t and dv = est dt) to obtain:

1 n st 1
Z Z
n st
t e dt = t e + ntn1 est dt,
s s
so c
1 n st n
Z
n st n1
t e dt = lim t e + s L(t )(s).
0 c s 0
In order for this limit to exist, we again must insist that s 6= 0 and that s > 0
so that esc has a limit (of zero). Using LHopitals rule n times, we see that

1 n sc
lim c e = 0.
c s

Using this result inductively, we compute:

2 2 1 2
L(t2 )(s) = L(t)(s) = 2 = 3
s s s s
3 3 2 1 6
L(t3 )(s) = L(t2 )(s) = 2 = 4
s s s s s
4 4 3 2 1 24
L(t4 )(s) = L(t3 )(s) = 2 = 5
s s s s s s
Note that in all cases above, we must have s > 0. In summary,

Laplace Transform of single term monic polynomials

n!
L(tn )(s) = ; s>0
sn+1
130 CHAPTER 5. LAPLACE TRANSFORMS

Linear Combinations and Laplace Transform

Theorem 5.4 Let f (t) and g(t) be functions with Laplace transforms F (s)
and G(s) respectively then for any constants a and b

L(af (t) + bg(t))(s) = aF (s) + bG(s)

Proof: Z
L(af (t) + bg(t))(s) = [af (t) + bg(t)]est dt
0
Z Z
= af (t)est dt + bg(t)est dt = aF (s) + bG(s)
0 0

From this result we can take the Laplace transform of any arbitrary poly-
nomial in the next example,

Example 5.5 Find L(4t3 + 8t2 7)(s)

Solution:

L(4t3 + 8t2 7)(s) = 4L(t3 )(s) + 8L(t2 )(s) 7L(1)(s)

6 2 1
=4 +8 7
s4 s3 s

24 16 7
= + 3 ,
s4 s s
where s > 0.

Laplace Transform of exponential functions

1
L(eat )(s) = ; s>a
sa
5.1. INTRODUCTION AND DEFINITION 131

Proof: Z
at
L(e )(s) = eat est dt
0
Z
= e(as)t dt,
0

which can be integrated with respect to t (use u = (a s)t and du = (a

s) dt). We obtain
1 (as)b 1
= lim e
b a s as
The above limit exists exactly when s > a, so

1
L(eat )(s) = , s>a
sa

Example 5.6 Find

L(2t )(s)

t
Solution: Rewriting 2t = eln2 = etln2 and taking a = ln 2,

1
L(e(ln2)t )(s) = , s > ln 2
s ln 2

Lastly,

Laplace Transform of sine and cosine

s
L(cos(t))(s) = , s>0
s2 + 2

L(sin(t))(s) = , s>0
s2 + 2
132 CHAPTER 5. LAPLACE TRANSFORMS

We derive the second formula and leave the derivation of the first formula
as an exercise. By definition:
Z
L(sin(t))(s) = est sin(t) dt.
0

Using integration by parts with u = sin(t) and dv = est dt we obtain

Z Z
st 1
st
e sin(t) dt = sin(t)e ( )est cos(t) dt.
0 s 0 0 s
Using parts again with u = cos(t) and dv = est dt, we obtain
Z
1
st 1 st st
= sin(t)e + ( ) ( )e cos(t) ( )e sin(t) dt
s 0 s s 0 0 s
From the squeeze theorem we see that for s > 0 lim esc cos(c) = 0 and
c
lim esc sin(c) = 0, so the above reduces to
c
2Z

= ( 2) (est sin(t) dt
s s2 0
Now recall that the left-hand side of this equation (what we were solving
for) is Z
est sin(t) dt
0
so we have

2
Z Z
st
e sin(t) dt = est sin(t) dt
0 s2 s2 0

So moving the term with the integral on the right side to the left side
gives Z 2Z
st
e sin(t) dt + 2
est sin(t) dt = ( 2 )
0 s 0 s
Factoring,
2
Z

1+ 2 est sin(t) dt = ( 2 )
s 0 s
So
( s2 )
Z
st
e sin(t) dt = = 2
0 1+ 2
s + 2
s2
5.1. INTRODUCTION AND DEFINITION 133

NOTE: It is customary to use the independent variable s for a function

that is an output of a Laplace transform and the independent variable t for
a function that is an output of a Laplace transform. This convention will be
handy in the later sections.
The below result gives a condition that guarantees the existence of the
Laplace transform.

A condition that guarantees the existence of L[f (t)](s)

Suppose that there are numbers and M so that

|f (t)| M et

for all t > 0. Then the Laplace transform of f (t) exists with a domain of at
least s > .
Proof: Suppose that there are numbers and M so that

|f (t)| M et

for all t > 0. Then

Z b
L(|f (t)|)(s) = lim est |f (t)| dt
b 0

Z
M
est M et dt = M L[et ](s) = ,
0 s
for s > .
Therefore, since Z b
est |f (t)| dt
0
is increasing in b and bounded for all b,
Z b
lim est |f (t)| dt
b 0

exists. This implies that

Z b
lim est f (t) dt
b 0
134 CHAPTER 5. LAPLACE TRANSFORMS

also must exist.

Note that most all exponential functions, polynomials, and the trig func-
2
tions sine and cosine satisfy this condition but ln x, tan x and et do not.
These functions do not have Laplace transforms.
Exercises
1. Compute L[f (t)](s) for f (t) = 0.

2. Compute L[f (t)](s) for

1 if t < 8
f (t) =
0 if t 8.

3. Compute L[f (t)](s) for

t if t < 1
f (t) = 2 t if 1 t < 2
0 if t 2.

4. Compute the formula for L[cosh(t)](s), where is a constant.

5. Compute L[sinh(t)](s),

6. Find the Laplace transform of

t8 if t<8
t+6
e if 8 < t < 10
f (t) =

t2 if 10 < t < 11
0 if t > 11.

In 7-12, take the Laplace transform of the function f (t) using the results
in this section (do not derive using the definition)

7. f (t) = t3 7t2 + 8

8. f (t) = 4 sin t 3 cos t

9. f (t) = cos(2t) e9t

10. f (t) = 1 + 7 sin(5t)

5.1. INTRODUCTION AND DEFINITION 135

ez +ez
11. f (t) = cosh(t), where is a constant. (Recall cosh(z) = 2
).

ez ez
12. f (t) = sinh(t), where is a constant. (Recall sinh(z) = 2
).

In 13-15, use the definition to take the Laplace transform of the function
f (t) using integration by parts and formulas given in this section

13. f (t) = tet

14. f (t) = t sin(2t)

15. f (t) = t2 cos(t)

16. Recall that L[f (t) + g(t)] = L[f (t)] + L[g(t)]. Is it true in general that
L[f (t) g(t)] = L[f (t)] L[g(t)]?

(a) Try f (t) = t and g(t) = 1 to see if L[f (t) g(t)] = L[f (t)] L[g(t)].

(b) Is it ever true that L[f (t) g(t)] = L[f (t)] L[g(t)]?
136 CHAPTER 5. LAPLACE TRANSFORMS

5.2 Laplace Transforms, The Inverse Laplace

Transform, and ODEs
In this section we will see how the Laplace transform can be used to
solve differential equations. The key result that allows us to do this is
the following:

Laplace Transform of y 0 (t)

Suppose that L[y(t)](s) exists and that y(t) is differentiable (0, ) with
derivative y 0 (t) then

L[y 0 (t)](s) = sL[y(t)](s) y(0)

Proof: By definition,
Z
0
L[y (t)](s) = est y 0 (t) dt
0

Setting u = e and dv = y (t) dt and using integration by parts, we

st 0

obtain Z
0 st

L[y (t)](s) = e y(t) 0
(s)est y(t) dt
0

For s big enough, limc esc y(c) = 0, since the Laplace transform of
y(t) exists (this follows since the continuous integrand of a convergent
improper integral must tend to zero we will not prove this fact here.)
So we obtain
L[y 0 (t)](s) = y(0) + sL[y(t)](s)

From this result, we derive:

Laplace Transform of y 00 (t)

Suppose that L[y(t)](s) exists and that y(t) is twice differentiable on (0, )
with second derivative y 00 (t) then

L[y 00 (t)](s) = s2 L[y(t)](s) sy(0) y 0 (0)

5.2. LAPLACE TRANSFORMS, THE INVERSE LAPLACE TRANSFORM, AND ODES137

Proof: We simply us the previous result twice

L[y 00 (t)](s) = sL[y 0 (t)](s) y 0 (0) = s [sL[y(t)](s) y(0)] y 0 (0).

Example 5.7 Solve y 00 (t) = t using the Laplace Transform

Solution: Taking the Laplace transform of both sides we obtain

L[y 00 (t)](s) = L[t]

1
L[y 00 (t)](s) =
s2
so

1
s2 L[y(t)](s) sy(0) y 0 (0) =
s2
Solving for L[y(t)](s) we obtain

1 y(0) y 0 (0)
L(y(t))(s) = + + 2
s4 s s
Now if we could reverse engineer which function y(t) has Laplace trans-
form equal to the right hand side, then we would be done.
By playing a bit, we can see that y(t) = 16 t3 + y(0)
2
+ y 0 (0)t has this
Laplace transform. So voila! We have solved the differential equation.
(Note that the general solution obtained from undetermined coefficients
would be y(t) = 61 t3 + C1 + C2 t which agrees with our solution since
y(0) and y 0 (0) are unspecified constants.)

The above example illustrates a common checklist for solving DEs using
the Laplace transform:

1. Transform the original problem to one involving L(y(t))(s),

138 CHAPTER 5. LAPLACE TRANSFORMS

2. Solve for L[y(t)](s),

3. Undo the Laplace transform to recover y(t).

Definition 5.8 A continuous function f (t) is the Inverse Laplace

Transform of a function F (s) if L[f (t)](s) = F (s). In this case, we
write f (t) = L1 [F (s)]

It is customary shorthand notation to denote F (s) to be the Laplace

transform of f (t) and G(s) to be the Laplace transform of g(t). For
constants a, b, since

L[af (t) + bg(t)] = aL[f (t)] + bL[g(t] = aF (s) + bG(s)

we see that
L1 [aF (s) + bG(s)] = af (t) + bg(t)
or
L1 [aF (s) + bG(s)] = aL1 [F (s)] + bL1 [G(s)],
so the Laplace transform of a linear combination is the linear combi-
nation of the Laplace transforms.
The following table lists several inverses which come from the previous
section:

Some Basic Inverse Laplace Transform Facts

F (s) L1 [F (s)]
1
s
1
n! n
sn+1
t
1
sa
eat
s
s2 + 2
cos t

s2 + 2
sin t
aF (s) + bG(s) af (t) + bg(t)

7
Example 5.9 Find L1 s3
5.2. LAPLACE TRANSFORMS, THE INVERSE LAPLACE TRANSFORM, AND ODES139

Solution:
1 7 1 1
L 3
= 7L
s s3
2
We multiply the inner fraction by 2
to obtain the form in the previous
table.

1 2 7 1 2
= 7L = L
2s3 2 s3

7
= t2
2

2s1
Example 5.10 Find L1 s2 +4

Solution:

1 2s 1 1 s 1 1
L = 2L L
s2 + 4 s2 + 4 s2 + 4

2
Again, the inner fraction of the second must be multiplied by 2
to put
it in the form in the table ( = 2 since 2 = 4).

1 2
= 2 cos 2t L
2(s2 + 4)

1 1 2
= 2 cos 2t L
2 s2 + 4
1
= 2 cos 2t sin 2t
2

Example 5.11 Solve y 00 (t) + 9y(t) = e4t with y(0) = 1 and y 0 (0) = 0
140 CHAPTER 5. LAPLACE TRANSFORMS

Solution: We first take the Laplace transform of both sides to obtain

L[y 00 (t) + 9y(t)] = L[e4t ]

1
s2 L[y(t)] sy(0) y 0 (0) + 9L[y(t)] =
s4

1
(s2 + 9)L[y(t)] = +s
s4

1 s
L[y(t)] = 2
+ 2
(s 4)(s + 9) s + 9
We use partial fractions to decompose the first term into a sum of terms
that are recognizable inverses.
Noting that by partial fractions:
1 A Bs + C
2
= + 2 ,
(s 4)(s + 9) s4 s +9
1 1 4
where A = 25
B = 25 C = 25 . Substituting in, we obtain

1 1 1 s 4 1 s
L[y(t)] = 2
2
+
25 s4 25 s +9 25 s +9 s2 +9

1 1 24 s 4 1
L[y(t)] = + 2
2
25 s4 25 s +9 25 s +9
So

1 4t 24 4
y(t) = e + cos 3t sin 3t
25 25 75
(note that the
3 appeared
in the demoninator since = 3 and in order
1
to find L1 2 we multiply the inner fraction by 33 .)
s +9

We end this section by noting the following extension

5.2. LAPLACE TRANSFORMS, THE INVERSE LAPLACE TRANSFORM, AND ODES141

Laplace Transform of y (n) (t)

Suppose that L[y(t)](s) exists and that y(t) is differentiable n times on (0, )
with nth derivative y (n) (t) then

L[y (n) (t)](s) = sn L[y(t)](s) sn1 y(0) sn2 y 0 (0) ... sy (n2) (0) y (n1) (0)

Exercises
In 1-7, find the Inverse Laplace transform of the function F (s).
You may need partial fractions
1
1. F (s) = s+2
1
2. F (s) = s4
s+5
3. F (s) = s2 +16
4
4. F (s) = s+6
1
5. F (s) = (s+1)(s2 +1)
s
6. F (s) = (s+1)(s2 +1)
3
7. F (s) = s3 +s
8. Use the Laplace transform to find the general solution of
y 00 + 6y 0 + 5y = t

9. Use the Laplace transform to find the general solution of

y 00 y = et

10. Use the Laplace transform to find the general solution of

y 00 + y = et

11. Use the Laplace transform to find the solution of the IVP
y 00 + y = 2, y(0) = 1, y 0 (0) = 1

12. Use the Laplace transform to find the solution of the IVP
y 00 + 2y 0 + y = 2, y(2) = 1, y 0 (2) = 1
(Hint: find the general solution first).
142 CHAPTER 5. LAPLACE TRANSFORMS

5.3 Advanced Properties of the Laplace

Transform
In this section, we look at several theorems which can be used to solve
DEs using the Laplace transform method. We start with:

Laplace Transform Exponential Shift Theorem (Forward)

L[eat f (t)](s) = L[f (t)](s a) = F (s a)

Effectively, this says L[eat f (t)](s) is equal to L[f (t)](w), (using w for the
traditional s in the definition) and replacing w = s a.

Proof: By definition:
Z
at
L[e f (t)] = eat est f (t) dt
0

Z
= e(sa)t f (t) dt.
0

Also by definition,
Z
L[f (t)](s a) = e(sa)t f (t) dt.
0

We can use this result to compute Laplace transforms of exponentials

multiplied by functions whose Laplace transforms we already know.

Example 5.12 Find L[e2t cos(3t)](s)

Solution: By the shifting theorem

L[e2t cos(3t)](s) = L[cos(3t)](s (2)) = L[cos(3t)](s + 2) =

5.3. ADVANCED PROPERTIES OF THE LAPLACE TRANSFORM 143

The Laplace transform of cos(3t) with (different) variable w is

w
L[cos(3t)](w) = ,
w2 + 32
so, replacing w with s + 2,
s+2
= L[cos(3t)](s + 2) = .
(s + 2)2 + 9

s+2
= .
s2 + 4s + 13

Further note that in order for L[cos(3t)](w) to exist, w > 0 so the

domain is s + 2 > 0 or s > 2.

Example 5.13 Find L[t3 et ](s)

Solution: By the shifting theorem

6
L[t3 et ](s) = L[t3 ](w) = ,
w4
where w = s 1, so
6
L[t3 et ](s) =
(s 1)4

Similarly, we obtain the following result:

Laplace Transform Exponential Shift Theorem (Backward)

L1 [F (s a)]) = eat f (t),

where F (w) is the Laplace transform of f (t) (with variable w).

144 CHAPTER 5. LAPLACE TRANSFORMS

To apply this result, we look for familiar outputs of Laplace transforms

with the variable s replaced by a shift.
h i
24
Example 5.14 Find L1 (s8)5

Solution: This is just a shift of

24
w5
24
which is the Laplace transform of t4 (with variable w0. So (s8) 5 =
4
F (s 8) where F is the Laplace transform of f (t) = t . Therefore, by
the Exponential Shifting Theorem

L1 [F (s 8)] = e8t t4 .

s

Example 5.15 Find L1 s2 +2s+5

Solution: The trick here is to complete the square in the denominator

and then use the backward shift theorem.

s s s
= 2 =
s2 + 2s + 5 s + 2s + 1 + 4 (s + 1)2 + 4
We also need an s + 1 in the numerator to use the backwards shift with
cosine, so we write the numerator as:

s+11 s+1 1
= =
(s + 1)2 + 4 (s + 1)2 + 4 (s + 1)2 + 4
Now we can take the inverse of each term using the backward shift
theorem to get

1 s 1 s+1 1 1
L =L L
s2 + 2s + 5 (s + 1)2 + 4 (s + 1)2 + 4
5.3. ADVANCED PROPERTIES OF THE LAPLACE TRANSFORM 145

1
= et cos 2t et sin 2t
2

The next result equates differentiation of the Laplace transform F with

respect to s to the Laplace transform of the product tf (t).

Differentiation Theorem
Let F (s) be the Laplace transform of f (t). Then

d
[F (s)] = L[tf (t)](s)
ds
or

d
[F (s)] = L[tf (t)](s)
ds

Proof: By definition:
F (s + s) F (s)
F 0 (s) = lim
s0 s

Note that

Z Z Z
F (s+s)F (s) = e(s+s)t f (t) dt est f (t) dt = [e(s+s)t est ]f (t) dt
0 0 0

So

F (s + s) F (s) e(s+s)t est
Z
= f (t) dt
s 0 s
Therefore

F (s + s) F (s) e(s+s)t est
Z
lim = lim f (t) dt
s0 s 0 s0 s
146 CHAPTER 5. LAPLACE TRANSFORMS

e(s+s)t est d
Noting that lims0 s
is the definition of ds
(est ), we know
this limit is test .
Substituting, we obtain
Z
0
F (s) = (test )f (t) dt.
0

By definition, the right hand side is L[tf (t)](s)

We provide several examples which illustrate how to use this result.

Example 5.16 Find L [te2t ]

By the Theorem,
L[tf (t)](s) = F 0 (s).
1
Here f (t) = e2t , so F (s) = s2
.
Now
F 0 (s) = (s 2)2

so
1
L[te2t ](s) = ((s 2)2 ) =
(s 2)2

Note that we could have also obtained this answer by using the Forward
Exponential Shift Theorem.

Example 5.17 Find L [t cos(3t)]

By the Theorem,
L[tf (t)](s) = F 0 (s).
s
Here f (t) = cos(3t), so F (s) = s2 +9
.
Now
(s2 + 9) s(2s) 9 s2
F 0 (s) = =
(s2 + 9)2 (s2 + 9)2
5.3. ADVANCED PROPERTIES OF THE LAPLACE TRANSFORM 147

so
9 s2 s2 9
L[t cos(3t)](s) = =
(s2 + 9)2 (s2 + 9)2

Next we solve several differential equations using these new results.

Example 5.18 Find the general solution to y 00 + 6y 0 + 6y = sin 2t

Taking the Laplace transform, we obtain

L[y 00 + 6y 0 + 10y] = L[sin 2t]

so
2
s2 L sy(0) y 0 (0) + 6sL 6y(0) + 10L =
s2 +4
(here L is shorthand for L[y(t)](s)), so
2
(s2 + 6s + 10)L = sy(0) + y 0 (0) + 6y(0) +
s2 + 4

Solving for L,

2
sy(0) + y 0 (0) + 6y(0) + s2 +4
L=
s2 + 6s + 10

sy(0) y 0 (0) + 6y(0) 2

= + + 2 (5.1)
s2 + 6s + 6 s2 + 6s + 10 (s + 4)(s2 + 6s + 10)
We now have to use the inverse Laplace transform. We start with the
first term, which we will have to write as a shift by completing the
square of the denominator. In particular the first term is

sy(0)
(s + 3)2 + 1
which we can rewrite as
sy(0) (s + 3 3)y(0) (s + 3)y(0) 3y(0)
2
= 2
= .
(s + 3) + 1 (s + 3) + 1 (s + 3) + 1 (s + 3)2 + 1
2
148 CHAPTER 5. LAPLACE TRANSFORMS

We can invert this using the shift theorem, so the inverse of the first
term is:

y(0)e3t cos t 3y(0)e3t sin t

Similarly, the second term in ?? can be realized as a shift, It is

y 0 (0) + 6y(0)
(s + 3)2 + 1
which has inverse transform

(y 0 (0) + 6y(0))e3t sin t.

Lastly, we use partial fractions on the final term to get

2 As + B Cs + D
= 2 + 2
(s2 + 4)(s2+ 6s + 10) s +4 s + 6s + 10
1 1 1
where A = 15 ,B = 15 , C = 15 , D = 13 . (The reader should be familiar
with the method of Partial Fractions, normally covered in a second
semester calculus class).
We again can easily invert the first term
As + B s B 2
2
=A 2 +
s +4 s +4 2 s2 + 4
which inverts to
B
A cos 2t + sin 2t.
2
The second term, after again setting up for the shifting theorem by
completing the square, becomes
Cs + D C(s + 3 3) D
= +
s2 + 6s + 10 2
(s + 3) + 1 (s + 3)2 + 1

(s + 3) 1
=C 2
+ (D 3C)
(s + 3) + 1 (s + 3)2 + 1
Taking the inverse, we obtain:
5.3. ADVANCED PROPERTIES OF THE LAPLACE TRANSFORM 149

= Ce3t cos t + (D 3C)e3t sin t

Putting it altogether,

y(t) = y(0)e3t cos t 3y(0)e3t sin t + (y 0 (0) + 6y(0))e3t sin t

+Ce3t cos t + (D 3C)e3t sin t

1 1
cos 2t + sin 2t,
15 30
1
where C = 15
,D = 31 .
Note that this simplifies to

y(t) = (y(0) + C)e3t cos t + ((D 3C) + y 0 (0) + 3y(0))e3t sin t

1 1
cos 2t + sin 2t.
15 30

If we had used the method of undetermined coefficients, we would have

obtained (possibly in a lot less time)

1 1
y(t) = C1 e3t cos t + C2 e3t sin t cos 2t + sin 2t.
15 30

The previous example could (and probably should) have been solved
using other methods. The next example is one where these other meth-
ods would not apply.

Example 5.19 Find the solution to

y 00 + ty 0 2y = 2, y(0) = 0, y 0 (0) = 0
150 CHAPTER 5. LAPLACE TRANSFORMS

We take the Laplace transform of both sides of the differential equation.

2
L[y 00 ] + L[ty 0 ] 2L[y] = ,
s

d 2
s2 L[y] (L[y 0 ]) 2L[y] = ,
ds s

d 2
s2 L[y] (sL[y]) 2L[y] = ,
ds s
d
Using the product rule, note ds
(sL[y]) = sL0 [y] + L[y] (recall: L[y] is
also a function of s). So,

2
s2 L[y] sL0 [y] L[y] 2L[y] = ,
s
or

2
(s2 3)L[y] sL0 [y] = ,
s
This is a first order linear differential equation in L with variable s!

0 3 2
L [y] + s + L[y] = ,
s s2
s2 s2
This has integrating factor e 2 +3 ln s which simplifies to s3 e 2 , so

s2
s3 e 2 ( s22 ) ds + C
R
L[y] = s2
s3 e 2
This resolves to
s2
2e 2 + C
s2
s3 e 2
2
We take C = 0 and obtain L[y] = s3
(all other choices do not give valid
outputs of Laplace transforms).
5.3. ADVANCED PROPERTIES OF THE LAPLACE TRANSFORM 151

Which implies that y(t) = t2 solves the DE. (One may easily check
that, indeed y(t) = t2 does solve the DE/IVP.

Exercises
In 1-8, solve the ODE/IVP using Laplace Transform
1. y 00 + 4y 0 + 3y = 0, y(0) = 1, y 0 (0) = 0
2. y 00 + 4y 0 + 3y = t2 , y(0) = 1, y 0 (0) = 0
3. y 00 3y 0 + 2y = sin t, y(0) = 0, y 0 (0) = 0
4. y 00 3y 0 + 2y = et , y(0) = 1, y 0 (0) = 0
5. y 00 2y = t2 , y(0) = 1, y 0 (0) = 0
6. y 00 4y = e2t , y(0) = 0, y 0 (0) = 1
7. y 00 + 3ty 0 y = 6t, y(0) = 0, y 0 (0) = 0
8. y 00 +ty 0 3y = 2t, y(0) = 0, y 0 (0) = 1 (You will need integration
by parts or use technology)