Inverse Laplace Transforms

We know how to find the Laplace transform if we are give f(t). Now we determine
how to find the original function given F(s). If F(s) is the Laplace transform of
some function(s), then f(t) is its inverse Laplace transform. The notation for an
inverse Laplace transform is given by L-1{F}.
Recall the following table of Laplace transforms.
Table of Common Laplace Transforms
L -1{F(s)} = f(t)
#

L {f(t)} = F(s)
#

tn

s
1
sa
n!

sin bt

s n +1
b

eat

cos bt
eattn
eat sin bt
eat cos bt
tnf(t)
f(n)(t)
(n -derivative)
u(t a)
(unit step function)
th

(t)u(t a)
f*g
(convolution)
(t a)
(dirac delta
function)

s2 + b2
s
2
s + b2
n!
(s a) n + 1
b
(s a) 2 + b 2
sa
(s a) 2 + b 2

dn
L({ f })
ds n
snL{f}(s) sn 1f(0) sn 2f'(0) - . . . f(n 1)(0)
(1) n

e as
s
e-as L {g(t + a)}
F(s)G(s)
e-as

The trick to finding an inverse Laplace transform is to recognize the form from the
above table. Then manipulate accordingly when necessary.
Examples:

F ( s) =

5
s6
n!

, where n = 5. So then f(t), the inverse

s
Laplace transform is given by f (t ) = t 5 .
1

F (s) =
s 3
1
, where a = 5. So then f(t), the inverse
This looks similar to the form
sa
Laplace transform is given by f (t ) = e 5t .
3

F (s) =
( s 4) 4
n!
, where n = 3 and a = 4. So then
This looks similar to the form
(s a )n+1
f(t), the inverse Laplace transform is given by f (t ) = t 3 e 4t .
This looks similar to the form

n +1

The above examples are easy. But they can get a little trickier like the following
examples below.
Examples:

F (s) =

10
s+5

1
. But the problem is that the numerator
sa
is 10 and not 1. Also, there is a (+) sign involved not a (-) sign. So we
have to rewrite into the proper form. The manipulation is done below
1
10
1

F ( s) =
10
10
s+5
s +5
s (5)
Now we have the form where a = -5. So then f(t), the inverse Laplace
1
5t
transform is given by f (t ) = 10 L1
= 10e .
s (5)
3s 12

F ( s) =
( s 4) 2 + 9
sa
This looks similar to the form
. But the problem is that the
(s a) 2 + b 2
numerator is 3s 12 and not s 4. So we have to rewrite into the proper
form.

This looks similar to the form

The manipulation is done below

s4
3s 12

F ( s) =
3
=
( s 4) 2 + 9
( s 4) 2 + 9

Now we have the form where a = 4 and b = 3. So then f(t), the inverse
s4
4t
Laplace transform is given by f (t ) = 3L1
= 3e cos 3t .
2
( s 4) + 9
9

F ( s) = 2
s + 2 s + 10
This one is a little difficult because of the denominator. Since it doesnt
factor, consider completing the square. The manipulation is done below
9
9
9
9
= 2
=
=
2
s + 2 s + 10 ( s + 2 s + 1) + (10 1) ( s + 1) + 9 ( s (1)) 2 + 9
b
. So we have a = -1 and b = 3.
This looks similar to the form
(s a) 2 + b 2
So then f(t), the inverse Laplace transform is given by

9
9
3

1
1
3t
=
3
f (t ) = L1 2
L
=L

= 3e sin 3t
2
2
s + 2 s + 10
( s + 1) + 9
( s (1)) + 9
F ( s) =

Sometimes we have to use partial fractions to find the inverse Laplace transform.
If you forgot how to use partial fractions from calculus, go back and review it.
1

F ( s) = 2
s 2s 3
Again, this one is a little difficult because of the denominator. It factors
nicely, so we try factoring to see what factors we get.
1
1
F ( s) = 2
=
s 2 s 3 ( s 1)( s + 3)
Because we have distinct factors in the denominator, the decomposition is
of the following form:
1
A
B
=
+
( s 1)( s + 3) s 1 s + 3
1. Multiply both sides by the common denominator and simplify the
RHS.
1 = A( s + 3) + B ( s 1)
1 = As + 3 A + Bs B
2. Equate coefficients on both sides. This will give a system of
equations.
0 = A+ B
1 = 3A B
3. Solve for the coefficients.
A = 1/4 and B = - 1/4

4. Plug coefficients into decomposition of original function.

1
1/ 4 1/ 4
=
+
( s 1)( s + 3) s 1 s + 3
Now we the decomposition, now we find the inverse Laplace transform of
each part.
1
1
1/ 4 1/ 4
F ( s) = 2
=
=
+
s 2 s 3 ( s 1)( s + 3) s 1 s + 3
For the first fraction in the decomposition, it takes the form
1
where a = 1. But since the top is not a 1, then we move the
sa
number on top to the outside. So the inverse Laplace transform for
1 / 4 1 1 1 1 t
the first fraction is given as L1{F1} = L1
= e .
= L
s 1 4 s 1 4
For the second fraction in the decomposition, it also takes the form
1
, but there is a (+) sign instead of a (-) sign and the top is not
sa
a 1. But since the top is not a 1, then we move the number on top
to the outside. So the inverse Laplace transform for the second
1 1 1 1 3t
1/ 4
fraction is given as L1{F2 } = L1
= e .
= L
4 s (3) 4
s+3
So adding them together gives up the inverse Laplace transform of
the original problem.
1
1 t 1 3t

1 1 / 4
1 1 / 4
L1 2
= e e
+ L
=L
4
s+3 4
s 1
s 2s 3
In the above example, we use the linearlity properties to get the inverse Laplace
transform. Just as finding a Laplace transform, they work here as well.
Linearlity Properites of the Inverse Laplace Transform
1. L -1{F1 F2 . . . Fn} = L-1 {F1} L-1 {F2} . . . L-1 {Fn}
This property just says to take the inverse Laplace transform of each
function and then add/subtract them back together.
L-1 {F}
2. L-1 {cF} = cL
This property just says to pull out the constant before taking the inverse
Laplace transform.