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Laplace transform of e^(3t)

Step by step, with the reason for every step · The Laplace transform · Differential Equations

Step by step

The question

Question: find the Laplace transform of e^(3t).

ℒ{e^(3t)} =

1 The idea

The Laplace transform turns a function of t into a function of s.

It is an integral, but we almost never work it out: we use a table made from it.

ℒ{f(t)} = ∫ from 0 to ∞ of e^(−st) f(t) dt

The table rows we need.

e^(at) → 1s − a

2 Use the table

Each part by its row: e^(3t) gives 1/(s − 3).

ℒ{e^(3t)} = 1s − 3

Careful!

e to the at gives s minus a.

Here a is 3, so it is s − 3.

Careful: not ℒ{e^(3t)} = 1s + 3 ✗

3 Check

Let's check: read the table backwards.

1/(s − 3) comes from e^(3t): the question.

Right!

backwards: 1s − 3 → e^(3t)

Let's look back.

First: the idea.

Then: use the table.

Last: check.

Answer
Careful: not ℒ{e^(3t)} = 1s + 3 ✗

Your turn

Try this one yourself, then check:

Find the Laplace transform of ℒ{e^(7t)}
Show the answer
ℒ = 1s − 7

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