The Laplace Transform Method 237
EXAMPLE 9 Finding an Inverse Laplace Transform
2
For F(s) = s(s + l), calculate .c-^1 [F(s) ].
SOLUTION
The denominator of F(s), which is Q(s) = s(s + 1), h as two linear factors
of multiplicity 1, so the partial fraction expansion for F(s) has the form
(10)
2 A B
F(s) = s(s + 1) = --; + s + 1
where A and B are constants to be determined. Mult iplying equation (10) by
s(8 + 1), we see A and B must be chosen to satisfy
(11) 2 = A(8 + 1) + B8.
Setting 8 = 0 in equation (11), we find A = 2. And setting 8
equation (11), we see B = -2. Hence,
.C[f(x) ] = 8(8^2 + 1) =--;^2 - 8 +^2 1 =^2 (1) --; -^2 ( 8 + 1 ) 1 ·
Since
£[1] = ~ and .C[e-x] = _2_
1
,
8 8+
(12) .C[f(x) ] = 2£[1] - 2.C[e-x] = £[2 - 2e-x].
-1 in
Taking the inverse Laplace transform of equation (12), we find f (x) = 2-2e-x.
EXAMPLE 10 Finding an Inverse Laplace Transform
-28^3 + 382 + 378 - 55 _ 1
For F(8) = (
8
_
4
) 2 ( 82 _
48
+
13
) , calculate£ [F(8)].
SOLUTION
The quadratic factor 82 - 48 + 13 appearing in the denominator of F(8)
is irreducible, since its discriminant (-4)^2 - 4(1)(13) = 16 - 52 = -36 < 0.
Completing the square, we can rewrite this quadratic factor as
82 - 48 + 13 = (8^2 - 48 + 4) + 9 = (8 - 2)^2 + 32 = (8 - a)^2 + b^2.