How to show that $G(s) = \dfrac{F(s)}{s}$ for Laplace transforms of integrals?

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In summary, to prove that $G(s) = \dfrac{F(s)}{s}$ for Laplace transforms of integrals, one can use the fundamental theorem of calculus and the definition of Laplace transform. The identity can also be proven using properties of Laplace transforms, and it has a geometric interpretation as the area under the curve divided by the value at s=0. However, certain conditions must be met for this identity to hold, such as the function being integrated being continuous and having a Laplace transform. It can also be extended to multi-dimensional integrals.
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Chris L T521
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Thanks to those who participated in last week's POTW! Here's this week's problem!

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Problem: Suppose that $\displaystyle g(t) = \int_0^t f(\tau)\,d\tau$. If $G(s)$ and $F(s)$ are the Laplace transforms of $g(t)$ and $f(t)$ respectively, show that $G(s) = \dfrac{F(s)}{s}$.

Recall that $\displaystyle F(s) = \mathcal{L}\{f(t)\} = \int_0^{\infty} e^{-st}f(t)\,dt$.

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This week's problem was correctly answered by BAdhi and Sudharaka.

Sudharaka's solution:

\[g(t) = \int_0^t f(\tau)\,d\tau\]

\begin{eqnarray}G(s)&=&\mathcal{L}\{g(t)\}\\&=&\int_0^{\infty} e^{-st}\int_0^t f(\tau)\,d\tau\,dt\\&=&\int_0^{\infty}\int_{0}^{t}e^{-st}f(\tau)\,d\tau\,dt\end{eqnarray}Note that, \(0<\tau<t<\infty\). Changing the order of integration we get,\begin{eqnarray}G(s)&=&\int_0^{\infty}\int_{\tau}^{\infty}e^{-st}f(\tau)\,dt\,d\tau\\&=&\int_0^{\infty}f(\tau)\int_{\tau}^{\infty}e^{-st}\,dt\,d\tau\\&=&\int_0^{\infty}f(\tau)\frac{e^{-s\tau}}{s}\,d\tau\\&=&\frac{1}{s}\int_0^{\infty}e^{-s\tau}f(\tau)\,d\tau\\\therefore G(s)=\frac{F(s)}{s}\end{eqnarray}

BAdhi's solution:

Let's consider the laplace transform of $g(t)$

$$G(s)=\mathcal{L}\{g(t)\}=\int_0^\infty e^{-st}g(t)\, dt$$since, $g(t)=\displaystyle \int_0^t f(\tau )\, d\tau$$$\begin{align*}
\mathcal{L}\{g(t)\}&=\int \limits_0^\infty e^{-st}g(t)\, dt \\ &=\int \limits_0^\infty e^{-st}\left[ \int_0^t f(\tau )\, d\tau \right] dt \\ &=\int \limits_{0}^{\infty}\int \limits_{0}^{t} e^{-st}f(\tau )\, d\tau dt\\ \end{align*}$$By switching variables, the boundaries of $t$ and $\tau$ changes as,$0<\tau<\infty$ and $\,\tau<t<\infty$then,$$
\mathcal{L}\{g(t)\}=\int \limits_0^\infty \int \limits_\tau^\infty e^{-st}f(\tau )\, dtd\tau $$since $f(\tau )$ is independent on $t$,$$\begin{align*}
\mathcal{L}\{g(t)\}&=\int \limits_{0}^{\infty}f(\tau )\left[ \int \limits_\tau^\infty e^{-st}\,dt \right] d\tau \\ &=\int \limits_0^\infty f(\tau ) \left[ \frac{e^{-st}}{-s}\right] _\tau^\infty \,d\tau \\ &=\int \limits_0^\infty f(\tau ) \left[ \frac{0-e^{-s\tau }}{-s}\right] \,d\tau (when s>0) \\&=\frac{\displaystyle \int \limits_0^\infty f(\tau ) e^{-s\tau }\,d\tau }{s}\\ &=\frac{\displaystyle \int \limits_0^\infty f(t) e^{-st }\,dt }{s}\\ &=\frac{F(s)}{s} \end{align*}$$$$\therefore \; G(s)=\frac{F(s)}{s}$$ for $s>0$
 

FAQ: How to show that $G(s) = \dfrac{F(s)}{s}$ for Laplace transforms of integrals?

How can I prove that $G(s) = \dfrac{F(s)}{s}$ for Laplace transforms of integrals?

One way to show this is by using the fundamental theorem of calculus. We can rewrite the integral as a limit of Riemann sums, and then use the definition of the Laplace transform to evaluate the limit. This will result in the desired expression of $G(s) = \dfrac{F(s)}{s}$.

Can I use properties of Laplace transforms to prove this identity?

Yes, you can use the property of differentiation in the Laplace domain to show that $G(s) = \dfrac{F(s)}{s}$. By applying this property to the integral, we can rewrite it as a Laplace transform, which will result in the desired expression.

Is there a geometric interpretation of this identity?

Yes, there is a geometric interpretation of this identity. The Laplace transform of an integral represents the area under the curve of the function being integrated. Dividing this area by the Laplace transform of the variable s (which represents the horizontal axis) results in the value of the function at s=0, which is exactly what $G(s) = \dfrac{F(s)}{s}$ represents.

Are there any specific conditions that need to be met for this identity to hold?

Yes, there are some conditions that need to be met for this identity to hold. The function being integrated must be continuous and have a Laplace transform. Additionally, the integral must converge for all values of t, and the limit of the integral as t approaches infinity must be zero.

Can this identity be extended to multi-dimensional integrals?

Yes, this identity can be extended to multi-dimensional integrals. The same principles apply, but the Laplace transform of the multi-dimensional integral may involve multiple variables in the denominator. However, the end result will still be in the form of $G(s) = \dfrac{F(s)}{s}$.

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