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 ✗