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Inverse Laplace transform

Inverse Laplace transform is a science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Inverse Laplace transform rather than just read about it. In short: In mathematics, the inverse Laplace transform of a function F {\displaystyle F} is a real function f {\displaystyle f} that is piecewise-continuous, exponentially-restricted (that is, | f ( t ) | ≤ M e α t {\displaystyle |f(t)|\leq Me^{\alpha t}} ∀ t ≥ 0 {\displaystyle \forall t\geq 0} for some constants M > 0 {\displaystyle M>0} and ⁠ α ∈ R {\displaystyle \alpha \in \mathbb {R} } ⁠) and has the property: L { f } (…

Key takeaways

  • Inverse Laplace transform belongs to science; place it in that map before memorising details.
  • Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
  • Connect Inverse Laplace transform to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
  • Reproduce the core statement of Inverse Laplace transform from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

In mathematics, the inverse Laplace transform of a function F {\displaystyle F} is a real function f {\displaystyle f} that is piecewise-continuous, exponentially-restricted (that is, | f ( t ) | ≤ M e α t {\displaystyle |f(t)|\leq Me^{\alpha t}} ∀ t ≥ 0 {\displaystyle \forall t\geq 0} for some constants M > 0 {\displaystyle M>0} and ⁠ α ∈ R {\displaystyle \alpha \in \mathbb {R} } ⁠) and has the property:

L { f } ( s ) = F ( s ) , {\displaystyle {\mathcal {L}}\{f\}(s)=F(s),}

where L {\displaystyle {\mathcal {L}}} denotes the Laplace transform. It can be proven that, if a function F {\displaystyle F} has the inverse Laplace transform ⁠ f {\displaystyle f} ⁠, then f {\displaystyle f} is uniquely determined (considering functions that differ from each other only on a point set having Lebesgue measure zero as the same). This result was first proven by Mathias Lerch in 1903 and is known as Lerch's theorem. The Laplace transform and the inverse Laplace transform together have a number of properties that make them useful for analysing linear dynamical systems.

Bromwich's inverse formula There is an integral formula for the inverse Laplace transform, called the Bromwich's inversion formula and is given by the line integral:

f ( t ) = L − 1 { F ( s ) } ( t ) = 1 2 π i lim T → ∞ ∫ γ − i T γ + i T e s t F ( s ) d s {\displaystyle f(t)={\mathcal {L}}^{-1}\{F(s)\}(t)={\frac {1}{2\pi i}}\lim _{T\to \infty }\int _{\gamma -iT}^{\gamma +iT}e^{st}F(s)\,ds}

where the integration is done along the vertical line Re ( s ) = γ {\displaystyle {\textrm {Re}}(s)=\gamma } in the complex plane such that γ {\displaystyle \gamma } is greater than the real part of all singularities of F {\displaystyle F} and F {\displaystyle F} is bounded on the line, for example if the contour path is in the region of convergence. In the common special case where all singularities, ⁠ s k {\displaystyle s_{k}} ⁠, satisfy ℜ ( s k ) < 0 {\displaystyle \Re (s_{k})<0} (i.e., lie in the open left half‑plane), or F {\displaystyle F} is an entire function, then γ {\displaystyle \gamma } can be set to zero and the above inverse integral formula becomes identical to the inverse Fourier transform. In practice, computing the complex integral can be done by using the Cauchy residue theorem. This integral is closely related to the Mellin inversion theorem for the Mellin transform.

Post's inversion formula Post's inversion formula for Laplace transforms, named after Emil Post, is a simple-looking but usually impractical formula for evaluating an inverse Laplace transform. The statement of the formula is as follows: Let f {\displaystyle f} be a continuous function on the interval [ 0 , ∞ ) {\displaystyle [0,\infty )} of exponential order, i.e.

sup t > 0 f ( t ) e b t < ∞ {\displaystyle \sup _{t>0}{\frac {f(t)}{e^{bt}}}<\infty }

for some real number ⁠ b {\displaystyle b} ⁠. Then for all ⁠ s > b {\displaystyle s>b} ⁠, the Laplace transform for f {\displaystyle f} exists and is infinitely differentiable with respect to ⁠ s {\displaystyle s} ⁠. Furthermore, if F {\displaystyle F} is the Laplace transform of ⁠ f {\displaystyle f} ⁠, then the inverse Laplace transform of F {\displaystyle F} is given by

… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Inverse Laplace transform

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Inverse Laplace transform claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Inverse Laplace transform before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Inverse Laplace transform ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Inverse Laplace transform

In research
Inverse Laplace transform appears in science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry
Engineering practice reuses Inverse Laplace transform in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom
Inverse Laplace transform is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Complex analysis, Integral transforms, Laplace transforms, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life
Look for Inverse Laplace transform outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.
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How to study Inverse Laplace transform in 20 minutes

  1. Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
  2. Close the page and write down what Inverse Laplace transform means in your own words.
  3. Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
  4. Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
  5. Explain Inverse Laplace transform out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Inverse Laplace transform in simple terms?

In mathematics, the inverse Laplace transform of a function F {\displaystyle F} is a real function f {\displaystyle f} that is piecewise-continuous, exponentially-restricted (that is, | f ( t ) | ≤ M e α t {\displaystyle |f(t)|\leq Me^{\alpha t}} ∀ t ≥ 0 {\displaystyle \forall t\geq 0} for some con…

Why does Inverse Laplace transform matter?

Because it connects several science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Inverse Laplace transform?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Inverse Laplace transform.

Tags

  • Complex analysis
  • Integral transforms
  • Laplace transforms
  • Transforms

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