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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 November 2016
In technical colleges one is often called upon to introduce advanced mathematical techniques to students whose background is not very extensive. Such a method is the use of the Laplace Transform for the solution of linear differential equations with constant coefficients. Textbooks which deal with this topic, even those specifically written for engineers, derive the transform from the Fourier Integral, or from Heaviside’s Operational Calculus, or just brusquely define the process. Then certain standard forms are evaluated, the rules for application to differential equations are laid down and a selection of worked examples follows. But such a treatment can mystify a student who wants to know why, in following these rules, he should, in effect, firstly, multiply each term of the equation by e-px, secondly, integrate the resultant products from 0 to ∞, and, thirdly, obtain in this way the complete solution.
