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Chapter 10 Applying the Laplace Method

Imagine turning a differential equation into an algebra problem instead. That’s exactly what the Laplace transform method does. It unfolds in the same three steps:
  1. Forward transform. Apply the Laplace transform (term-by-term) to a differential equation and get an algebraic equation in \(Y(s)\text{.}\)
  2. Algebra in the Laplace domain. Isolate \(Y(s)\) and prepare it for next step.
  3. Backward transform. Apply the inverse Laplace transform to the prepared \(Y(s)\) to turn it back into \(y(t)\) as the solution to the origianl differential equation.
Throughout the chapter, we will zoom in on each step and guide you with a roadmap like the one below.
Figure 204. Laplace Transform Method Slideshow. Press Next to take a step!