Zeta Functions

Johar M. Ashfaque

1 The Riemann Zeta Function

1.1 Introduction

Leonhard Euler lived from 1707 to 1783 and is, without a doubt, one of the most influential mathemati-
cians of all time. His work covered many areas of mathematics including algebra, trigonometry, graph
theory, mechanics and, most relevantly, analysis.
Although Euler demonstrated an obvious genius when he was a child it took until 1735 for his talents to
be fully recognised. It was then that he solved what was known as the Basel problem, the problem set
in 1644 and named after Euler’s home town [?]. This problem asks for an exact expression of the limit
of the equation
∞
X 1 1 1 1
2
=1+ + + + ..., (1)
n=1
n 4 9 16

which Euler calculated to be exactly equal to π 2 /6. Going beyond this, he also calculated that
∞
X 1 1 1 1 π4
4
=1+ + + + ... = , (2)
n=1
n 16 81 256 90

among other specific values of a series that later became known as the Riemann zeta function, which is
classically defined in the following way.

Definition 1.1 For <(s) > 1, the Riemann zeta function is defined as
∞
X 1 1 1 1
ζ(s) = s
= 1 + s + s + s + ...
n=0
n 2 3 4

This allows us to write the sums in the above equations (1) and (2) simply as ζ(2) and ζ(4) respectively.
A few years later Euler constructed a general proof that gave exact values for all ζ(2n) for n ∈ N. These
were the first instances of the special values of the zeta function and are still amongst the most interesting.
However, when they were discovered, it was still unfortunately the case that analysis of ζ(s) was restricted
only to the real numbers. It wasn’t until the work of Bernhard Riemann that the zeta function was to
be fully extended to all of the complex numbers by the process of analytic continuation and it is for this
reason that the function is commonly referred to as the Riemann zeta function. From this, we are able
to calculate more special values of the zeta function and understand its nature more completely.
We will be discussing some classical values of the zeta function as well as some more modern ones and will
require no more than an undergraduate understanding of analysis (especially Taylor series of common
functions) and complex numbers. The only tool that we will be using extensively in addition to these
will be the ‘Big Oh’ notation, that we shall now define.

Definition 1.2 We can say that f (x) = g(x) + O(h(x)) as x → k if there exists a constant C > 0 such
that |f (x) − g(x)| ≤ C|h(x)| for when x is close enough to k.

This may seem a little alien at first and it is true that, to the uninitiated, it can take a little while to
digest. However, its use is more simple than its definition would suggest and so we will move on to more
important matters.

1
1.2 The Euler Product Formula for ζ(s)

We now define the convergence criteria for infinite products.

P Q
Theorem 1.3 If |an | converges then (1 + an ) converges.

Although we will not give a complete proof here, one is referred to [?]. However, it is worth noting that
m
(m )
Y X
(1 + an ) = exp ln(1 + an ) .
n=1 n=1

From this it can be seen that, for the product

P to converge, it is sufficient that
Pthe summation on the right
hand side converges. The summation ln(1 + an ) converges absolutely if |an | converges. This is the
conceptual idea that the proof is rooted in.
Now that we have this tool, we can prove the famous Euler Product formula for ζ(s). This relation makes
use of the Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic which says that every integer can be expressed as a unique
product of primes. We will not prove it here but the interested reader can consult [?] for a proof.

Theorem 1.4 Let p denote the prime numbers. For <(s) > 1,
∞
Y
ζ(s) = (1 − p−s )−1 .
p

Proof. Observe that

ζ(s) 1 1 1 1 1
= s + s + s + s + s + ...
2s 2 4 6 8 10
Then, we can make the subtraction
 
1 1 1 1 1
ζ(s) 1 − s = 1 + s + s + s + s + ...
2 2 3 4 5
1 1 1 1 1
− s + s + s + s + s + ...
2 4 6 8 10
1 1 1 1
= 1 + s + s + s + s + ...
3 5 7 9
Clearly, this has just removed any terms from ζ(s) that have a factor of 2−s . We can then take this a
step further to see that
  
1 1 1 1 1 1
ζ(s) 1 − s 1 − s = 1 + s + s + s + s + ...
2 3 5 7 11 13

If we continue this process of siphoning off primes we can see that, by the Fundamental Theorem of
Arithmetic, Y
ζ(s) (1 − p−s ) = 1,
p

which requires only a simple rearrangement to see that

Y
ζ(s) = (1 − p−s )−1 .
p

Note that, for <(s) > 1 this converges because

X X
p−<(s) < n−<(s) ,
p n

which converges. This completes the proof

2
1.3 The Bernoulli Numbers

We will now move on to the study of Bernoulli numbers, a sequence of rational numbers that pop up
frequently when considering the zeta function. We are interested in them because they are intimately
related to some special values of the zeta function and are present in some rather remarkable identities.
We already have an understanding of Taylor series and the analytic power that they provide and so we
can now begin with the definition of the Bernoulli numbers. This section will follow Chapter 6 in [?].

Definition 1.5 The Bernoulli Numbers Bn are defined to be the coefficients in the series expansion
∞
x X Bn xn
= .
ex − 1 n=0 n!

It is a result from complex analysis that this series converges for |x| < 2π but, other than this, we cannot
gain much of an understanding from the implicit definition. Please note also, that although the left hand
side would appear to become infinite at x = 0, it does not.

Corollary 1.6 We can calculate the Bernoulli numbers by the recursion formula
k−1
X 
k
0= Bj ,
j=0
j

where B0 = 1.
Proof. Let us first replace ex − 1 with its Taylor series to see that
  
∞ j ∞ ∞ ∞
X x  X Bn xn X xj X Bn xn
x =  − 1 = .
j=0
j n=0
n! j=1
j! n=0 n!

If we compare coefficients of powers of x we can clearly see that, except for x1 ,

B0 B1 B2 Bk−2 Bk−1
xk : 0 = + + + ... + + .
k! (k − 1)! 2!(k − 2)! 2!(k − 2)! (k − 1)!

Hence
k−1 k−1  
X Bj 1 X k
0= = Bj .
j=0
(k − j)!j! k! j=0 j

Note that the inverse k! term is irrelevant to the recursion formula. This completes the proof.
The first few Bernoulli numbers are therefore

B0 = 1, B1 = −1/2, B2 = 1/6, B3 = 0,

B4 = −1/30, B5 = 0, B6 = 1/42, B7 = 0.

Lemma 1.7 The values of the odd Bernoulli numbers (except B1 ) are zero
Proof. As we know the values of B0 and B1 , we can remove the first two terms from Definition 1.5 and
rearrange to get
∞
x x X Bn xn
x
+ = 1 + ,
e −1 2 n=2
n!
which then simplifies to give
∞
ex + 1 Bn xn
 
x X
=1+ .
2 ex − 1 n=2
n!

3
We can then multiply both the numerator and denominator of the left hand side by exp(−x/2) to get
∞
x ex/2 + e−x/2 Bn xn
  X
x/2 −x/2
= 1 + . (3)
2 e −e n=2
n!

By substituting x → −x into the left hand side of this equation we can see that it is an even function and
hence invariate under this transformation. Hence, as the odd Bernoulli numbers multiply odd powers
of x, the right hand side can only be invariant under the same transformation if the value of the odd
coefficients are all zero.

1.4 Relationship to the Zeta Function

As, we have already dicussed, Euler found a way of calculating exact values of ζ(2n) for n ∈ N. He did
this using the properties of the Bernoulli numbers, although he originally did it using the infinite product
for the sine function. The relationship between the zeta function and Bernoulli numbers is not obvious
but the proof of it is quite satisfying.

Theorem 1.8 For n ∈ N,

(2π)2n B2n
ζ(2n) = (−1)n−1 .
2(2n)!

To prove this theorem, we will be using the original proof attributed to Euler and reproduced in [?]. This
will be done by finding two seperate expressions for z cot(z) and then comparing them. We will be using
a real analytic proof which is slightly longer than a complex analytic proof, an example of which can be
found in [?].

Lemma 1.9 The function z cot(z) has the Taylor expansion

∞
X B2n z 2n
z cot(z) = 1 + (−4)n . (4)
n=1
(2n)!

Proof. Substitute x = 2iz into equation (3) and observe that, because the odd Bernoulli numbers are
zero, we can write this as
∞
x ex/2 + e−x/2 eiz + e−iz 2n
 
n B2n z
X
= iz = 1 + (−4) .
2 ex/2 − e−x/2 eiz − e−iz n=1
(2n)!

Noting that the left hand side is equal to z cot(z) completes the proof

Lemma 1.10 The function cot(z) can be written as

2n−1
X−1 
cot(z/2n ) tan(z/2n )
   
1 z + jπ z − jπ
cot(z) = n
− n
+ n cot + cot . (5)
2 2 2 j=1
2n 2n

Proof. Recall that 2 cot(2z) = cot(z) + cot(z + π/2). If we continually iterate this formula we will find
that
2n −1  
1 X z + jπ
cot(z) = n cot ,
2 j=0 2n

which can be proved by induction. Removing the j = 0 and j = 2n−1 terms and recalling that cot(z +
π/2) = − tan(z) gives us
cot(z/2n ) tan(z/2n )
cot(z) = −
2n 2n   
n−1 n
2 X−1   2X −1  
1  z + jπ   z + jπ 
+ cot + cot .
2n j=1
2n 2n
j=2n−1 +1

4
All we have to do now is observe that, as cot(z + π) = cot(z), we can say that
n
2X −1   2n−1
X−1  
z + jπ z − jπ
cot = cot ,
2n j=1
2n
j=2n−1 +1

which completes the proof.

Lemma 1.11 The function z cot(z) can therefore be expressed as

∞
X z2
z cot(z) = 1 − 2 . (6)
j=1
j 2 π2
− z2

Proof. In order to obtain this, we first multiply both sides of equation (5) by z to get
2n−1
X−1 z   z + jπ   
z n z n z − jπ
z cot(z) = n cot(z/2 ) − n tan(z/2 ) + cot + cot . (7)
2 2 j=1
2n 2n 2n

Let us now take the limit of the right hand side as n tends to infinity. First recall that the Taylor series
for x cot(x) and x tan(x) can be respectively expressed as
x cot(x) = 1 + O(x2 )
and
x tan(x) = x2 + O(x4 ).
Hence, if we substitute x = z/2n into both of these we can see that
hz  z i
lim cot =1 (8)
n→∞ 2n 2n
and hz  z i
lim tan = 0. (9)
n→∞ 2n 2n
Now we have dealt with the expressions outside the summation and so we need to consider the ones
inside. To make things slightly easier for the moment, let us consider both of the expressions at the same
time. Using Taylor series again, we can see that
 
z z ± jπ z
n
cot n
= + O(4−n ). (10)
2 2 z ± jπ
Substituting equations (8), (9) and (10) into the right hand side of equation (7) gives that
2n−1
X−1  
z z
z cot(z) = 1 − lim + + O(4−n ) ,
n→∞
j=1
z + jπ z − jπ

which simplifies a little to give

n−1
∞ 2 X−1
X z2
z cot(z) = 1 − 2 − lim O(4−n ).
j=1
j 2 π 2 − z 2 n→∞ j=1

By Definition 1.2, it can be seen that

2n−1
X−1
| O(4−n )| ≤ C(2n−1 − 1)4−n ,
j=1

which clearly converges to zero as n → ∞, thus completing the proof.

Lemma 1.12 For |z| < π, z cot(z) has the expansion

∞
X z 2n
z cot(z) = 1 − 2 ζ(2n) . (11)
j=1
π 2n

5
Proof. Take the summand of equation (1.11) and multiply both the numerator and denominator by
(jπ)−2 to obtain
∞
X (z/jπ)2
z cot(z) = 1 − 2 .
j=1
1 − (z/jπ)2

But, we can note that the summand can be expanded as an infinite geometric series. Hence we can write
this as
∞ X ∞  2n
X z
z cot(z) = 1 − 2 ,
j=1 n=1
jπ

which
∞  2n
X z
=1−2 ζ(2n)
n=1
π
as long as the geometric series converges (i.e. |z| < π). Note that exchanging the summations in such a
way is valid as both of the series are absolutely convergent.
Now, we can complete the proof of the Theorem 1.8 by equating equations (4) and (11) to see that
∞ ∞  2n
X B2n z 2n X z
1+ = (−4)n =1−2 ζ(2n).
n=2
(2n)! n=1
π

If we then strip away the 1 terms and remove the summations we obtain the identity
B2n z 2n z 2n
(−4)n = −2 2n ζ(2n),
(2n)! π
which rearranges to complete the proof of Theorem 1.8 as required.
Now that have proven this beautiful formula (thanks again, Euler) we can use it to calculate the sums of
positive even values of the zeta function. First, let us rewrite the result of Theorem 1.8 to give us
(2π)2n |B2n |
ζ(2n) = .
2(2n)!
From this, we can easily calculate specific values such as
∞
X 1 (2π)6 |B6 | π6
ζ(6) = 6
= = ,
n=1
j 2(6)! 945
∞
X 1 (2π)8 |B8 | π8
ζ(8) = = = ,
n=1
j8 2(8)! 9450
and so on. It is unfortunate that no similar formula has been discovered for ζ(2n + 1).
There have been recent results concerning the values of the zeta function for odd integers. For example,
Apéry’s proof of the irrationality of ζ(3) in 1979 or Matilde Lalı́n’s integral representations of ζ(3) and
ζ(5) by the use of Mahler measures.
Special values for ζ(−2n) and ζ(−2n + 1) have been found, the latter of which also involves Bernoulli
numbers. It is to our good fortune that we will have to take a whirlwind tour through some of the
properties of the Gamma function in order to get to them.

1.5 The Gamma Function

Definition 1.13 For <(s) > 0 we define Γ(s) as

Z ∞
Γ(s) = ts−1 e−t dt.
0

Now, this function initially looks rather daunting and irrelavent. We will see, however, that is does have
many fascinating properties. Among the most basic are the following two identities ...

6
Corollary 1.14 Γ(s) has the recursive property
Γ(s + 1) = sΓ(s). (12)
Proof. We can prove this by performing a basic integration by parts on the gamma function. Note that
Z ∞ Z ∞
∞
ts e−t dt = −ts e−t 0 + s ts−1 e−t dt

Γ(s + 1) =
0 0
= [0] + sΓ(s)

as required.

Corollary 1.15 For n ∈ N

Γ(n + 1) = n! (13)
Proof. Just consider Corollary 1.14 and iterate to complete the proof.
It is this property that really begins to tell us something interesting about the Gamma function. Now
that we know that the function calculates factorials for integer values, we can use it to ‘fill in’ non-integer
values, which is the reason why Euler introduced it.

Remark 1.16 We can use the fact that Γ(s) = Γ(s + 1)/s to see that, as s tends to 0, Γ(s) → ∞. We
can also use this recursive relation to prove that the Gamma function has poles at all of the negative
integers.

Lemma 1.17 We can calculate that √

π
Γ(3/2) = .
2
Proof. We observe that Z ∞
Γ(3/2) = exp(−x2 )dx. (14)
0
This is an important result that is the foundation of the normal distribution and it is also easily calculable.
We do this by first considering the double integral
Z ∞Z ∞
I= exp(−x2 − y 2 )dxdy.
−∞ −∞

If we switch to polar co-ordinates using the change of variables x = r cos(θ), y = r sin(θ). Noting that
dydx = rdθdr, we have
Z 2π Z ∞ Z ∞
I= r exp(−r2 )drdθ = π 2r exp(−r2 )dr = π[exp(−r2 )]∞0 = π.
0 0 0

We can then seperate the original integral into two seperate integrals to obtain
Z ∞  Z ∞ 
2 2
I= exp −x dx exp −y dy = π.
−∞ −∞

Noting that the two integrals are identical and are also both even functions, we can see that integrating
one of them from zero to infinity completes the proof as required

Corollary 1.18 Consider (n)!2 = n(n − 2)(n − 4)...,, which terminates at 1 or 2 depending on whether
n is odd or even respectively. Then for n ∈ N,
  √
2n + 1 π(2n − 1)!2
Γ = .
2 2n
Proof. We will prove this by induction. Consider that
    √ √
2n + 3 2(n + 1) + 1 (2n + 1) (2n − 1)!2 π (2n + 1)!2 π
Γ =Γ = . = .
2 2 2 2n 2n+1
Noting that the leftmost and rightmost equalities are equal by definition completes the proof.

7
Remark. We can use this relationship Γ(1 + 1/s) = (1/s)Γ(s) to see, for example, that
√ √
3 π 15 π
Γ(5/2) = , Γ(7/2) = ,
4 8
etc.

Corollary 1.19 We can computer the ‘factorial’ of −1/2 as

√
Γ(−1/2) = −2 π.

Proof. We can rework Corollary 1.14 to show that

 
1−s 1−s
Γ(1/s) = Γ ,
s s

from which the corollary can easily be proven.

1.6 The Euler Reflection Formula

This chapter will use a slightly different definition of the Gamma function and will follow source [?]. First
let us consider the definition of the very important Euler constant γ.

Definition 1.20 Euler’s constant γ is defined as

 
1 1 1
γ = lim 1 + + + .. + − log(m) .
m→∞ 2 3 m

We will then use Gauss’ definition for the Gamma function which can be written as follows ...

Definition 1.21 For s > 0 we can define

h!hs hs
Γh (s) = =
s(s + 1)..(s + p) s(1 + s)(1 + s/2)...(1 + s/h)

and
Γ(s) = lim Γh (s).
h→∞

This does not seem immediately obvious but the relationship is true and is proven for <(s) > 0 in [?].
So now that we have these definitions we can work on a well known theorem.

Theorem 1.22 The Gamma function can be written as the following infinite product;
∞ 
1 γs
Y s  −s/n
= se 1+ e .
Γ(s) n=1
n

Proof. Before we start with the derivation, let us note that the infinite product is convergent because
the exponential term forces it. Now that we have cleared that from our conscience, we will begin by using
Definition 1.21 and say that
hs
Γh (s) = .
s(1 + s)(1 + s/2)...(1 + s/h)
Now we can also see that

hs = exp (s log(h))
     
1 1 1 1
= exp s log(h) − 1 − − ... − exp s 1 + + ... + .
2 h 2 h

8
We can then observe that
1 es es/2 es/h
  
1 1
Γh (s) = ... exp s log(h) − 1 − − ... − ,
s 1 + s 1 + s/2 1 + s/h 2 h
which we can write as the product
   Yh
1 1 1 1
Γh (s) = exp s log(h) − 1 − − ... − es/n .
s 2 h n=1
1 + s/n

All we need to do now is to take the limit of this as h tends to infinity and use Definition 1.20 to prove
the theorem as required.
This theorem is very interesting as it allows us to prove two really quite beautiful identities, known as the
Euler Reflection formulae. But before we do this, we are going to need another way of dealing with the
sine function. It should be noted that the method of approach that we are going to use is not completely
rigorous. However, it can be proven rigorously using the Weierstrass Factorisation Theorem - a discussion
of which can be found in [?].

Theorem 1.23 The sine function has the infinite product

∞ 
s2
Y 
sin(πs) = πs 1− 2 .
n=1
n

Theorem 1.24 The Gamma function has the following reflective relation -
1 sin(πs)
= .
Γ(s)Γ(1 − s) π
Proof. We can use Theorem 1.22 to see that
∞ ∞
n2 − s2
  
1 Y n+s n−s Y
= −s2 eγs−γs es/n−s/n = −s2 .
Γ(s)Γ(−s) n=1
n n n=1
n2

We can then use Corollary 1.14 to show that, as Γ(1 − s) = −sΓ(−s),

∞
1 Y n2 − s2
=s .
Γ(s)Γ(1 − s) n=1
n2

Comparing this to Theorem 1.23 then completes the proof as required.

Corollary 1.25 The Gamma function also has the reflectional formula
1 s sin(πs)
=− .
Γ(s)Γ(−s) π
Proof. This can easily be shown using a slight variation of the previous proof. However, an alternate
proof can be constructed by considering Theorem 1.24 and Corollary 1.14.

2 The Hurwitz Zeta Function

Definition 2.1 For 0 < a ≤ 1 and <(s) > 1, we define ζ(s, a), the Hurwitz zeta function as
∞
X 1
ζ(s, a) = .
n=0
(n + a)s

Remark. It is obvious that ζ(s, 1) = ζ(s) and from this we can see that if we can prove results for the
Hurwitz zeta function that are valid when a = 1, then we obtain results for the regular zeta function
automatically. Let us then begin with our first big result.

9
Theorem 2.2 For <(s) > 1, the Hurwitz zeta function can be expressed as the infinite integral
Z ∞ s−1 −ax
1 x e
ζ(s, a) = dx. (15)
Γ(s) 0 1 − e−x

Corollary 2.3 We have the identity

∞
xs−1
Z
1
ζ(s) = dx.
Γ(s) 0 ex − 1

Proof. Simply substitute a = 1 into equation (15) to complete the proof.


Now we will prove a slight variation of this integral.

Proposition 2.4 The following identity holds for the zeta function:
Z ∞ s−1 x
2 x e
(2s − 1)ζ(s) = ζ(s, 1/2) = dx.
Γ(s) 0 e2x − 1

Proof. First note that

  s  s  X ∞
s s 2 1 2 1 1
(2 − 1)ζ(s) = 2 +1+ + s+ + s + ... −
3 2 5 3 n=1
ns

which  s  s  s
2 2 2
= 2s + + + + ... = ζ(s, 21 ).
3 5 7
We have that
∞
xs−1 e−x/2
Z
1
ζ(s, 1/2) = dx.
Γ(s) 0 1 − e−x
We can then multiply the numerator and denominator by exp( x2 ) and perform the substitution x = 2y
to obtain the identity
Z ∞ Z ∞ s−1 y
2 (2y)s−1 ey 2s y e
ζ(s, 1/2) = dy = dy
Γ(s) 0 e2y − 1 Γ(s) 0 e2y − 1

as required.


2.1 Variants of the Hurwitz Zeta Function

There are many variants of the Hurwitz zeta function and we will only prove identities involving the more
obvious ones.

Definition 2.5 The alternating Hurwitz zeta function is defined to be

∞
X (−1)n
ζ(s, a) = .
n=0
(n + a)s

Definition 2.6 We define the alternating zeta function as ζ(s) = ζ(s, 1).

Theorem 2.7 For <(s) > 1, the alternating Hurwitz zeta function can also be written as
Z ∞ s−1 −ax
1 x e
ζ(s, a) = dx.
Γ(s) 0 1 + e−x

10
Corollary 2.8 The alternating zeta function can also be written as
Z ∞ s−1
1 x
ζ(s) = (1 − 21−s )ζ(s) = dx.
Γ(s) 0 ex + 1

Proof. We have already done the hard work in Theorem 2.7 and as such, all that remains to be proven
is that ζ(s) = (1 − 21−s )ζ(s), which can be easily shown by expanding the series.


Proposition 2.9 For |k| < 1 we have the identity

∞ Z ∞
X kn 1 kxs−1
= dx.
n=1
ns Γ(s) 0 ex − k

Proposition 2.10 We can also show that

∞ Z ∞ s−1 −ax
X e2nπik 1 x e
s
= dx.
n=1
(n + a) Γ(s) 0 1 − e2πik−x

2.2 Sums of the Hurwitz Zeta Function

Proposition 2.11 For a > 1, it is true that

∞
X 1
ζ(s, a) = . (16)
s=2
a−1

Proof. If s ∈ N then
∞
xs−1 e−ax
Z
1
ζ(s, a) = dx.
(s − 1)! 0 1 − e−x
Hence
∞
" k Z
#
∞
X X xs−1 e−ax
ζ(s, a) = lim dx ,
s=2
k→∞
s=2 0 (s − 1)! 1 − e−x
which
∞ ∞
"Z ! #
∞
e−ax X xs−1 X xs−1
= lim − dx .
k→∞ 0 1 − e−x s=2
(s − 1)! (s − 1)!
s=k+1

Noting that the first term inside the curved brackets is just the Taylor series for ex − 1 then gives us
∞ Z ∞ "Z k
! #
∞
X ex − 1 e−ax x
X xs−1
ζ(s, a) = dx − lim e − dx .
s=2 0 eax (1 − e−x ) k→∞ 0 1 − e−x s=1
(s − 1)!

Now, we can see that expression inside the limit tends to zero as k tends to infinity which then leaves us
with the rather inspiring identity
∞ ∞
ex − 1
X Z
ζ(s, a) = dx,
s=2 0 eax (1 − e−x )

which integrates to give

∞
X 1 − e−x(a−1)
ζ(s, a) = lim .
s=2
x→∞ a−1
−1
This converges to (a − 1) for a > 1, thus proving the proposition.


Corollary 2.12 The sums of the regular zeta function diverge.

11
Proof. Simply substitute a = 1 into the previous result to complete the proof.

We can also prove a set of similar results using the same technique as in Proposition 2.11. The two easiest
examples are given in the propositions below.

Proposition 2.13 For a > 1 and s ∈ N

∞
X 2a − 1
ζ(2s, a) = . (17)
s=1
2a(a − 1)

Proof. First note that

∞ ∞
!
∞
e−ax x2s−1
X Z X
ζ(2s, a) = dx,
s=1 0 1 − ex s=1
(2s − 1)!

which, considering the Taylor series of sinh(x),

Z ∞
sinh(x)
= dx.
0 eax (1 − ex )

We can the integrate this to see that, for a > 1, this converges to the given limit as required.


Corollary 2.14 For a > 1 and s ∈ N

∞
X 1
ζ(2s + 1, a) = .
s=1
2a(a − 1)

Proof. This can be shown by subtracting equation (17) from (16).


The final identity that we will prove requires a little more work than the previous one and we will first
require a nice Lemma.

12
Lemma 2.15 For a ∈ N,
" a−1
#
y−1 1 X (−1)k 1
= 2(−1)a+1 + − a.
y a (y + 1) y+1 yk y
k=1

Proof. We can prove this by induction by noting that

y−1 y−1 1
=
y a+1 (y
+ 1) y a (y
+ 1) y
" a−1
#
1 X (−1)k 1
a+1
= 2(−1) + − a+1
(y + 1)y y k+1 y
k=1
" a−1
#
X (−1)k
a+1 1 1 1
= 2(−1) − + − a+1
y y+1 y k+1 y
k=1
" a
#
k
a+2 1 X (−1) 1
= 2(−1) + k+1
− a+1
y+1 y y
k=1

as required.


13
Proposition 2.16 If Hn0 represents the nth alternating Harmonic Number then, for an integer a > 2, it
is true that
∞
X
0 1
ζ(s, a) = (−1)a ln(4) − 2Ha−2


− .
s=2
a − 1

Proof. If we employ the same methods as used in the proof of Proposition 2.11 we can easily see that
∞ ∞
e−ax (ex − 1)
X Z
ζ(s, a) = dx.
s=2 0 1 + e−x

We can then make the substitution x = ln(y) and dx = dy/y to see that this transforms to
∞ ∞
y−1
X Z
ζ(s, a) = dy.
s=2 1 y a (y
+ 1)

Lemma 2.15 tells us that we can write this as

∞ Z ∞( " a−1
# )
X 1 X (−1)k 1
a+1
ζ(s, a) = 2(−1) + − a dy.
s=2 1 y+1 yk y
k=1

We can then remove the first term from the summation and seperate the integrals to find that the above
equation
 ∞ Z ∞ ( "a−1
X (−1)k
#)
a+1 1 a+1
= 2(−1) (ln(y + 1) − ln(y)) + a−1 + 2(−1) dy.
y (a − 1) 1 1 yk
k=2

If we now compute the value of the left-most expression and integrate the right-most, (assuming that we
can exchange the summation and integral) we see that
∞
X 1 X  (−1)k+1 ∞
a−1
ζ(s, a) = (−1)a ln(4) − − 2(−1)a+1 .
s=2
a−1 (k − 1)y k−1 1
k=2

The summation can then be rejigged so that

∞
"a−2 #
X 1 X (−1)k+1
a a+1
ζ(s, a) = (−1) ln(4) − + 2(−1)
s=2
a−1 k
k=1

as required.


Corollary 2.17 The sum of the alternating Hurwitz zeta functions is irrational.

Corollary 2.18 The sum of the regular alternating zeta functions diverges.

3 The Functional Equation of Euler’s Γ Function

3.1 Euler Sine Product

∞ 
z2
Y 
sin(πz) = πz 1−
n=1
n2

14
3.2 Euler’s Reflection Formula

Proposition 3.1 Γ(s) satisfies the functional equation

π
Γ(s)Γ(1 − s) = .
sin(πs)
Proof. Γ(s) has another representation
∞
1 Y (1 + n1 )s
Γ(s) = .
s n=1 1 + ns

Using this representation of Γ(s) and making use of the Euler sine product

Γ(s)Γ(1 − s) = −sΓ(s)Γ(−s)
∞
1 Y 1
= s2
s n=1
1− n2
1 πs
=
s sin(πs)
π
=
sin(πs)

4 The Functional Equation of Riemann Zeta Function ζ(s):

Symmetrical Form

4.1 The Theta Function: ϑ(t)

The theta function

∞
X 2
ϑ(t) = e−πtn , <(t) > 0
n=−∞

which has the following functional equation

 
1 1
ϑ(t) = √ ϑ , t>0
t t
and also satisfies
ϑ(t) − t− 21  < e− ct
 

1
which for some C > 0 ⇒ ϑ(t)  t− 2 .

4.2 The Functional Equation

Theorem 4.1 We have that ζ(s) extends analytically onto C except for a simple pole at s = 1 with
residue of 1. By defining  
s s
Λ(s) = π − 2 Γ zeta(s)
2
we obtain the functional equation
Λ(s) = Λ(s − 1).
In particular, the zeta function satisfies the functional equation
   
− 2s s − 1−s 1−s
π Γ ζ(s) = π 2 Γ ζ(1 − s).
2 2

15
Proof. Define Z ∞ Z 1  
s dt s 1 dt
φ(s) = t 2 (ϑ(t) − 1) + t 2 ϑ(t) − √ .
1 t 0 t t
P∞ −πn2 t
Note. ϑ(t) − 1 = 2 n=1 e → 0 at ∞ ⇒ the integral converges.
1
Note. Since ϑ(t)  t− 2 , the second integral will also converge.
We now evaluate the second integral, assuming <(s) > 1:
Z 1 Z 1 Z 1
s dt s−1 dt s dt 2
t 2 ϑ(t) − t 2 = t 2 ϑ(t) − .
0 t 0 t 0 t s − 1
Thus
∞ Z ∞
X 2 s dt 2 2
φ(s) = 2 e−πn t t 2 + +
n=1 0 t s 1−s
2 s
for <(s) > 1. Letting c → πn , s → 2, we have
 
1 − 2s s 1 1
φ(s) = π ζ(s)Γ + + .
2 2 s 1−s

Finally, we need to set stage for the functional equation. Let

1 1 1
Λ(s) = φ(s) − − .
2 s 1−s
1
Since 1s and 1−s are invariant under s → 1 − s, we only need to show that φ(s) = φ(1 − s). Recall the
functional equation for ϑ. Then
Z ∞ Z 1  
s dt s 1 dt
φ(s) = t 2 (ϑ(t) − 1) + t 2 ϑ(t) − √
1 t 0 t t
Z 1     Z ∞   
√ dt

s 1 dt s 1
= t− 2 ϑ −1 + t− 2 ϑ − t
0 t t 1 t t
Z 1 
√
 Z ∞ 
√ √ dt

s dt s
= t− 2 tϑ(t) − 1 + t− 2 tϑ(t) − t
0 t 1 t
= φ(1 − s)

5 The Epstein Zeta Function

The Epstein zeta function Z(s) is defined for <(s) > 1 by
∞
X 1
Z(s) =
m,n=−∞
(am2 + bmn + cn2 )s
(m,n)6=(0,0)

where a, b and c are real numbers with a > 0 and b2 − 4ac < 0.
Z(s) can be continued analytically to the whole complex plane except for the simple pole at s = 1.
The value of Z(k) for k = 2, 3, ... is determined in terms of the infinite series of the form
∞
X cotr (nπτ )
, (r = 1, 2, ..., k)
n=1
n2k−1

where √
b+ b2 − 4ac
τ= .
2a

16
5.1 Introduction

Let a, b and c be real numbers with a > 0 and D = 4ac − b2 > 0 so that

Q(u, v) = au2 + buv + cv 2

is a positive-definite binary quadratic form of discriminant D.

The Epstein zeta function Z(s) is then defined by the double series
∞
X 1
Z(s) =
m,n=−∞
Q(m, n)s
(m,n)6=(0,0)

where s = σ + it with σ, t ∈ R and σ > 1. Since

Q(u, v) ≥ λ(u2 + v 2 )

with  
1 p
λ= a + c − (a − c)2 + b2 > 0
2
for all real numbers u and v, the double series converges absolutely for σ > 1 and uniformly in every half
plane
σ ≥ 1 +  ( > 0).
Thus Z(s) is analytic function of s for σ > 1. Furthermore, it can be continued analytically to the whole
complex plane except for the simple pole at s = 1 and satisfies the functional equation
 √ s  √ 1−s
D D
Γ(s)Z(s) = Γ(1 − s)Z(1 − s).
2π 2π

5.2 The Functional Equation

Recall 5.1 √
b+ b2 − 4ac
τ=
2a

Setting √ √
b D b+i D
x= , y= , τ = x + iy =
2a 2a 2a
we have
b
τ +τ =
a
c
ττ =
a

so that

Q(m, n) = am2 + bmn + cn2

= a(m + nτ )(m + nτ )
= a|m + nτ |2

and
∞
X 1
Z(s) = , σ > 1.
m,n=−∞
as |m + nτ |2s
(m,n)6=(0,0)

17
Separating the term with n = 0, we have
∞ ∞ ∞
2 X 1 2 X X 1
Z(s) = s 2s
+ , σ > 1.
a m=1 m a n=1 m=−∞ |m + nτ |2s
s

We wish to evaluate the second term in and therefore apply the Poisson summation formula
X∞ ∞
X Z ∞
f (m) = f (u) cos 2mπu du
m=−∞ m=−∞ −∞

to the function
1
f (t) =
|t + τ |2s
to obtain
∞ ∞ Z ∞
X 1 X cos 2mπu
= du
m=−∞
|m + τ |2s m=−∞ −∞
|u + τ |2s
∞ Z ∞
X cos 2mπu
= du
m=−∞ −∞
{(u + x)2 + y 2 }s
∞ Z ∞
X cos 2mπ(t − x)
= dt
m=−∞ −∞
(t2 + y 2 )s
∞ Z ∞
X cos 2mπt
= cos 2mπx 2 2 s
dt
m=−∞ −∞ (t + y )

since the integrals involving the sine function vanish which yields
∞ Z ∞ ∞ Z ∞
X 1 2 1 22 X cos 2mπyt
2s
= 2s−1 2 )s
dt + 2s−1
cos 2mπx 2 s
dt, σ > 1.
m=−∞
|m + τ | y 0 (1 + t y m=1 −∞ (1 + t )

Now, we wish to evaluate the two integrals by first making the substitution

t2
u=
1 + t2
which gives
1 2tdt 1 3
= 1 − u, du = = 2u 2 (1 − u) 2 dt
1 + t2 (1 + t2 )2
and therefore
∞ √
1
Γ(s − 21 ) π
Z Z  
dt 1 s− 23 − 12 1 1 1
= (1 − u) u du = B s − , = .
0 (1 + t2 )s 2 0 2 2 2 2Γ(s)

From an integral representation of the Bessel function

 ν  Z ∞
1 2 1 cos yt 1
Kν (y) = √ Γ ν+ dt, y > 0, <(v) > − ,
π y 2 (1 + t2 )ν+ 21 2
0

we have √ 1
∞
π(mπy)s− 2
Z
cos 2mπyt 1
dt = Ks− 21 (2mπy), σ > .
0 (1 + t2 )s Γ(s) 2

Thus
√
 
1 √
∞ Γ s− 2 π ∞
X 1 4 π X 1
= + (mπy)s− 2 cos(2mπx)Ks− 12 (2mπy), σ > 1
m=−∞
|m + τ |2s y 2s−1 Γ(s) y 2s−1 Γ(s) m=1

18
such that for n ≥ 1
√
 
∞ Γ s − 12 π √ ∞
X 1 4 π X 1

2s
= 2s−1 y 2s−1 Γ(s)
+ 2s−1 y 2s−1 Γ(s)
(mnπy)s− 2 cos(2mnπx)Ks− 21 (2mnπy).
m=−∞
|m + nτ | n n m=1

Hence
√
 
1
Γ s− π 1 ∞ ∞
2 8a−s y 2 −s π s X 1−2s X 1
Z(s) = 2a−s ζ(2s)+2a−s y 1−2s ζ(2s−1)+ n (mn)s− 2 cos(2mnπx)Ks− 12 (2mnπy).
Γ(s) Γ(s) n=1 m=1

Collecting the terms with mn = k, we obtain

√
 
Γ s − 12 π 1 ∞ 
8a−s y 2 −s π s X X 1−2s

1
Z(s) = 2a −s
ζ(2s)+2a −s 1−2s
y ζ(2s−1)+ n (k)s− 2 cos(2kπx)Ks− 12 (2kπy)
Γ(s) Γ(s)
k=1 n|k

that is
√
 
Γ s − 12 π 1
2a−s y 2 −s π s
Z(s) = 2a −s
ζ(2s) + 2a −s 1−2s
y ζ(2s − 1) + H(s)
Γ(s) Γ(s)
where
∞
1
X
H(s) = 4 σ1−2s (k)(k)s− 2 cos(2kπx)Ks− 12 (2kπy)
k=1

and σν denotes the ν-th powers of the divisors of k

X X  k ν
ν
σν (k) = d = .
d
d|k d|k

We can now express Z(s) in another form

 s  s  
ay y 1−s 12 −s 1 1
Γ(s)Z(s) = 2 Γ(s)ζ(2s) + 2y π Γ s− ζ(2s − 1) + 2y 2 H(s).
π π 2

By the functional equation of the Riemann zeta function

 
1
ζ(2s − 1) = 2(2π)2s−2 sin s − πΓ(2 − 2s)ζ(2 − 2s)
2
and the basic properties of the gamma function
√
π Γ(1 − s)
Γ(2 − 2s) =
22s−1 Γ(s − 12 ) sin(s − 21 )π
we have  
1 1
π 2 −s Γ s − ζ(2s − 1) = π s−1 Γ(1 − s)ζ(2 − 2s)
2
and  s  s  1−s
ay y y 1
Γ(s)Z(s) = 2 Γ(s)ζ(2s) + 2 Γ(1 − s)ζ(2 − 2s) + 2y 2 H(s).
π π π

Recall 5.2
K−ν (y) = Kν (y)
and
ν ν
k − 2 σν (k) = k 2 σ−ν (k)

19
leading to
H(s) = H(1 − s).

For  s
ay
φ(s) = Γ(s)Z(s)
π
we have
φ(s) = φ(1 − s).

Since √
D
ay =
2
we have  √ s  √ 1−s
D D
Γ(s)Z(s) = Γ(1 − s)Z(1 − s)
2π 2π
which is the functional equation of Z(s).

6 The Laplace Transforms

6.1 Introduction

The theory of the Laplace transform has a long and rich history. Many mathematicians can be named
among which Euler, Lagrange and Laplace played important roles in realising the importance of the
Laplace transform to solve not only differential equations but also difference equations. Euler used the
Laplace transform in order to solve certain differential equations, whereas it was Laplace who understood
the true essence of the theory of the Laplace transform in solving both differential and difference equations.

6.2 Laplace Transform

For a complex-valued function x, defined for t > 0, the Laplace transform of x(t) is defined by
Z ∞
X(s) = x(t)e−st dt (18)
0

for all s ∈ R. Alternatively, we may use the expression

L{x(t)} = X(s)

to denote the Laplace transform.

Example 1: Let x(t) = e−at for a ∈ R. Then by direct integration
Z ∞
1
X(s) = e−(s+a) dt = , s>a .
0 s+a

In a similar fashion we can obtain the Laplace transform for eat . Example 2: Let x(t) = sin(ωt), for
ω ∈ R. Then Z ∞
X(s) = sin(ωt) e−st dt .
0
Integrating the right hand side by parts twice, we obtain
Z ∞
ω2 ∞
Z
w
sin(ωt) e−st dt = 2 − 2 sin(ωt)e−st dt ,
0 s s 0
Rearranging we find
 2 Z ∞ Z ∞
s + ω2 −st w w
2
sin(ωt) e dt = 2
=⇒ sin(ωt) e−st dt = 2 .
s 0 s 0 s + ω2

20
Thus
ω
L{sin(ωt)} =
s2 + ω2
as required.

6.3 Properties of the Laplace Transform

We look at the standard properties of the Laplace transform.

6.4 Linearity of the Laplace Transform

Linearity of the Laplace transform is an important result which states:

L{Cx(t)} = CL{x(t)} = CX(s) , C∈R ; (19)

L{Ax(t) + By(t)} = AX(s) + BY (s) , A, B ∈ R . (20)

6.5 Derivatives of the Laplace Transform

6.5.1 First Derivative

The first derivative of the Laplace transform is given by

L{x0 (t)} = sX(s) − x(0) . (21)

Proof. Directly from the definition of the Laplace transform, we have

Z ∞
L{x0 (t)} = e−st x0 (t)dt
0

The integral on the right hand side, can be integrated by parts once to obtain
Z ∞ ∞ Z ∞ Z ∞
−st 0 −st  −st
e−st x(t)dt

e x (t)dt = x(t)e  + s x(t)e dt = −x(0) + s .
0 0 0 0

Hence
L{x0 (t)} = −x(0) + sX(s) = sX(s) − x(0)
as required.

6.5.2 The nth Derivative

The equation of the nth derivative of the Laplace transform is given by

f (n) (t) = sn L{x()t} − sn−1 x(0) − . . . − xn−1 (0) . (22)

6.6 Shift property of the Laplace Transform

The shift property of the Laplace transform states

L{x(t)eat } = X(s − a) . (23)

Proof. By direct integration

Z ∞
L{x(t)eat } = x(t)e−(s−a)t dt = X(s − a) .
0

In many books, this property is referred to as the “First Shift Theorem”.

21
6.7 Scaling property of the Laplace Transform

The scaling property of the Laplace transform states

 
1 s
L{x(at)} = X . (24)
a a
Proof. By the definition of the Laplace transform
Z ∞
1 ∞ −( s )y
Z  
1 s
L{x(at)} = −st
e x(at)dt = e a x(y)dy = X
0 a 0 a a
as required.

6.8 Laplace Transform of tn

The Laplace transform of tn is defined to be

n!
L{tn } = . (25)
sn+1

Example: The Laplace transform of t6 is computed as

6!
L{t6 } = .
s7

6.9 Examples

Example 1: Let x(t) = e6t sin (3t). Then applying the shift property of the Laplace transform, we have
3
L{e6t sin (3t)} =
(s − 6)2 + 9
as the Laplace transform for x(t) = e6t sin (3t).
In general, by the shift property of the Laplace transform, we conclude that
ω
L{eat sin (ωt)} = .
(s − a)2 + ω 2

Example 2: Let x(t) = cos(ωt) for ω ∈ R.

Recall:
eiωt + e−iωt
cos(ωt) = .
2
Then by the linearity property of the Laplace transform, we have
e + e−iωt
 iωt 
1
L{cos(ωt)} = L = (L{eiωt } + L{e−iωt }) .
2 2
We can now use the shift property of the Laplace transform because we know that for x(t) = e−at , we
1
have X(s) = s+a . As a result, we obtain
     
1 1 1 1 1 2s 1 2s s
(L{eiωt } + L{e−iωt }) = + = = = 2 .
2 2 s − iω s + iω 2 (s − iω)(s + iω) 2 (s2 + ω 2 ) s + ω2

Example 3: Let x(t) = e9t cos (8t). Then applying the shift property of the Laplace transform, we have
s−9
L{e9t cos (8t)} =
(s − 9)2 + 64
as the Laplace transform for x(t) = e9t cos (8t).
In general, by the shift property of the Laplace transform, we conclude that
s−a
L{eat cos (ωt)} = .
(s − a)2 + ω 2

22
6.10 Inverse Laplace Transform

If for a given function X(s), we can find a function x(t) such that L{x(t)} = X(s), then the inverse
Laplace transform is denoted
L−1 {X(s)} = x(t)
and is unique.
The inverse Laplace transform is linear:

L−1 {CX(s)} = Cx(t) , C∈R ; (26)

L−1 {AX(s) + BY (s)} = Ax(t) + By(t) , A, B ∈ R . (27)

Example: Find  
12s − 36
L −1
.
(s + 5)(s − 3)(s + 7)
We use equation (23) and equation (27), to obtain
   
12s − 36 33 3 9 33 −5t 3 3t 9 −7t
L −1
=L −1
+ − = e + e − e .
(s + 5)(s − 3)(s + 7) 8(s + 5) 8(s − 3) 2(s + 7) 8 8 2

6.11 Conditions for the existence of the Laplace Transform

Theorem 6.1 Let x(t) be a piecewise continuous function in the interval [0, ∞) and is of exponential
order a. Also, let
|x(t)| ≤ Keat , t ≥ 0
with real constants K and a, where K is positive. Then the Laplace transform L{x(t)} = X(s) exists for
s > a.

Example: x(t) = e7t cos 5t is said to be of exponential order a = 7 since

|e7t cos 5t| ≤ e7t

Hence for K = 1, the Laplace transform of x(t) exists.

6.12 Convolution Theorem

In this section, we seek to compute the Laplace transform of a convolution. Let us begin by reminding
ourselves what we mean by a convolution. The convolution, in the interval [0, ∞), is defined as
Z t
(x ∗ y)(t) = x(τ )y(t − τ )dτ . (28)
0

Theorem 6.2 The Laplace transform of two functions under convolution is

L{(x ∗ y)(t)} = L{x(t)} · L{y(t)} = X(s)Y (s) .

Proof. From the definition of the Laplace transform, we have

Z t  Z ∞Z t 
L x(τ )y(t − τ )dτ = x(τ )y(t − τ )dτ e−st dt .
0 0 0

To simplify the repeated integral we introduce the shifted unit step function U (t − τ ) to obtain
Z ∞Z t  Z ∞Z ∞ 
x(τ )y(t − τ )dτ e−st dt = U (t − τ )x(τ )y(t − τ )dτ e−st dt .
0 0 0 0

23
Changing the order of integration, see [?, p. 187], we have
Z ∞Z ∞  Z ∞ Z ∞ 
−st −st
U (t − τ )x(τ )y(t − τ )dτ e dt = x(τ ) U (t − τ )y(t − τ )e dt dτ .
0 0 0 0

Using the second shift theorem, equation (30), we obtain

Z ∞
U (t − τ )y(t − τ )e−st dt = e−sτ Y (s) .
0

Therefore
Z ∞ Z ∞  Z ∞ Z ∞
−st
x(τ ) U (t−τ )y(t−τ )e dt dτ = x(τ )e−sτ Y (s)dτ = Y (s) e−sτ x(τ )dτ = X(s)Y (s) .
0 0 0 0

Example: Solve Z t
f (t) + (t − u)f (u) du = sin(2t) .
0
We begin by taking the Laplace transform of both sides of the equation to obtain

L{f (t)} + L{t ∗ f (t)} = L{sin(2t)} .

Thus, by theorem (6.2), we have

1 2
L{f (t)} + · L{f (t)} = 2 .
s2 s +4
Solving for L{f (t)}, gives

2s2 2 8
L{f (t)} = 2 2
=− 2 + 2
.
(s + 1)(s + 4) 3(s + 1) 3(s + 4)

Taking the inverse Laplace transform, we obtain

4 2
f (t) = sin(2t) − sin(t) .
3 3

6.13 Ordinary Differential Equations

One application of the Laplace transform is to solve differential equations. In this section, we consider
ordinary differential equations or ODEs. The schema behind the use of Laplace transforms to solve ODEs
is shown in the following diagram:

L / Algebraic equation
ODE in x(t) Laplace Transform in X(s)

solve

 L−1 
x(t) o Inverse Laplace Transform X(s)

Figure 1: Ordinary differential equations(ODEs) can be solved generally, or by way of Laplace transforms,
to obtain the same solution in both cases. This figure appears in [?].

Example: Find the solution to the initial value problem

y 00 (t) − y(t) = t − 2

24
given y(2) = 3 and y 0 (2) = 0.
We begin by moving the initial conditions to t = 0. This is done by setting x(t) = y(t + 2). Then
x0 (t) = y 0 (t + 2) and x00 (t) = y 00 (t + 2). Substituting t = t + 2 and x(t) = y(t + 2) into the differential
equation, the initial value problem becomes

x00 (t) − x0 (t) = t , x(0) = 3 , x0 (0) = 0 .

Taking the Laplace transform of both sides and using the linearity of the Laplace transform, see subsection
[6.4], we have
L{x00 (t)} + L{x(t)} = L{t} .
Using equation (22), and equation (25), we obtain
1
s2 X(s) − sx(0) − x0 (0) − X(s) = .
s2
Using the initial values, x(0) = 3 and x0 (0) = 0, and simplifying gives

1 + 3s3 2 1 1
X(s) =
= + − .
s2 s2 − 1 s − 1 s + 1 s2

From the table of Laplace transforms, we find the inverse Laplace transform of X(s) is

x(t) = 2et + e−t − t .

But x(t) = y(t + 2), therefore y(t) = x(t − 2). Hence we have

y(t) = 2e(t−2) + e(2−t) + 2 − t .

For more examples, I highly recommend [?].

6.14 System Of ODEs

The Laplace transform can be used to solve a system of ordinary differential equations.
Example 1: Find the solution to the initial value problem
(
x0 = y + sin(t) x(0) = 2
y 0 = x + 2 cos(t) y(0) = 0 .

We begin by taking Laplace transform of both sides, of both the equations, and using the initial conditions
to obtain (
sX(s) − 2 = Y (s) + s21+1
sY (s) = X(s) + s22s+1

knowing the Laplace transform of sin(t) from section [6.2], the Laplace transform of cos(t) from section
[6.3] and using equation (21). We proceed by eliminating either X(s) or Y (s). Eliminating X(s), gives

2s2 1
s2 − 1 − Y (s) = 2
+2+ 2 .
s +1 s +1
Thus
4s2 + 3 1 7 7
Y (s) = 2 2
= 2
− + .
(s + 1)(s − 1 2(s + 1) 4(s + 1) 4(s − 1)
Using equation (27), gives
     
1 −1 1 7 −1 1 7 −1 1
L −1
{Y (s)} = L − L + L .
2 s2 + 1 4 s+1 4 s−1
Hence
1 7 7
y(t) = sin(t) − e−t + et .
2 4 4

25
We find x(t) simply:
1 7 7
y 0 = x + 2 cos(t) , y0 = cos(t) + e−t + et .
2 4 4
Therefore, we obtain
7 −t 7 t 3
x(t) = e + e − cos(t) .
4 4 2

6.15 Impulse-Response Function

Definition: The transfer function R(s) is defined as the ratio of the Laplace transform of the output
x(t) to the Laplace transform of the input x(t), as [?, ?, ?] suggest, given that the initial conditions are
zero. This is equivalent to
Y (s)
R(s) = .
X(s)
Consider a second order differential equation

ay 00 + by 0 + cy = x(t)

for a, b, c are constants with y(0) = 0 and y 0 (0) = 0. Taking the Laplace transform of both sides, using
equation (20), and equation (22), gives

(as2 + bs + c)Y (s) − asy(0) − ay 0 (0) − by(0) = X(s)

and using the fact that the initial conditions are zero, we have

(as2 + bs + c)Y (s) = X(s) .

Therefore, we define the transfer function to be

Y (s) 1
R(s) = = 2 .
X(s) as + bs + c

The function r(s) is the impulse-response function defined as

L−1 {R(s)} .

Example: Using the convolution theorem obtain the solution to the following initial value problem

y 00 − 2y 0 + y = x(t)

given y(0) = −1 and y 0 (0) = 1. We know the form of the transfer function and in our case we have
1 1 1
R(s) = = 2 = .
as2 + bs + c s − 2s + 1 (s − 1)2

From the table of Laplace transforms, see [?, ?, ?], the inverse of the Laplace transform of R(s) is
 
1
r(s) = L−1 = tet .
(s − 1)2

We now solve the homogeneous problem, y 00 − 2y 0 + y = 0, using the initial conditions y(0) = −1 and
y 0 (0) = 1 to obtain
y(t) = (2t − 1)et .
Hence, using the convolution theorem, equation (28), the solution to the initial value problem is
Z t
(x ∗ r)(t) + y(t) = x(τ )et−τ (t − τ )dτ + (2t − 1)et
0

where r is the impulse-response function and y(t) is the unique solution.

26
6.16 Dirac Delta Functional

The Dirac delta functional δ(t) is defined by

(
0, t 6= 0
δ(t) =
∞, t = 0.

with the property: Z ∞

δ(t) dt = 1 .
−∞

The shifted δ(t) is defined by

(
0, t 6= a
δ(t − a) = R ∞
−∞
f (t)δ(t − a)dt = f (a), t = a.

The Laplace transform of δ(t − a), where f (t) = e−st , is computed as

Z ∞ Z ∞
L{δ(t − a)} = e−st δ(t − a)dt = e−st δ(t − a)dt = e−as .
0 −∞

We can find a relation between the δ(t) and the unit step function, U (t):
Z t
δ(x − a)dx = U (t − a) .
−∞

Thus
δ(t − a) = U 0 (t − a) ,
that is the derivative of the Dirac delta function is the unit step function.
Example: Boundary-value problem A beam of 2λ that is embedded in a support on the left and free
on the right. The vertical deflection of the beam a distance x away from the support is denoted by y(x).
If the beam has a concentrated load L on it in the center of the beam then the deflection must satisfy
the boundary value problem
(
EIy 0000 (x) = Lδ(x − λ)
y(0) = y 0 (0) = y 00 (2λ) = y 000 (2λ) = 0

where E is the modulus of elasticity and I is the moment of inertia, are constants. We shall solve the
formula for the displacement y(x) in terms of constants λ, L, E, and I.
We begin by taking the Laplace transform of both sides to obtain

EIL{y 0000 (x)} = LL{δ(x − λ)} .

By equation (22), and the initial conditions y(0) = y 0 (0) = 0

L{y 0000 (x)} = s4 Y (s) − s3 y(0) − s2 y 0 (0) − sy 00 (0) − y 000 (0) = s4 Y (s) − sy 00 (0) − y 000 (0) .

Thus
L L −λ(s)
s4 Y (s) − sy 00 (0) − y 000 (0) = L{δ(x − λ)} = e .
EI EI
Let A = y 00 (0) and B = y 000 (0), then

A B L e−λ(s)
Y (s) = + + .
s3 s4 EI s4
We now need to use equation (25), and equation (30), to find the inverse Laplace transform Y (s)

Ax2 Bx3 1 6Ax2

 
L L
y(x) = + + (x − λ)3 U (x − λ) = + Bx3 + (x − λ)3 U (x − λ) .
2 6 6EI 6 2 EI

27
We are given that y 00 (2λ) = y 000 (2λ) = 0, then differentiating twice and thrice respectively, we obtain
L
0 = 6A + 12λB + 6λ
EI
and
L
0 = 6B + 6 .
EI
Hence, the solution to the problem is
L 
3λx2 − x3 + (x − λ)3 U (x − λ)

y(x) = .
6EI

6.17 Partial Differential Equations

In this section, we show how to use the Laplace transform to solve one-dimensional linear partial differ-
ential equations. Partial differential equations are also known as PDEs.
There are 3 main steps in order to solve a PDE using the Laplace transform:
1. Begin by taking the Laplace transform with one of the two variables, usually t. This will give an
ODE of the transform of the unknown function.
2. Solving the ODE, we shall obtain the transform of the unknown function.
3. By taking the inverse Laplace transform, we obtain the solution to the original problem.

6.17.1 The Heat Equation

In this section, through the use of the Laplace transforms, we seek solutions to initial-boundary value
problems involving the heat equation.
The one-dimensional partial differential equation

∂u ∂2u
= c2 2 . (29)
∂t ∂x
is known as the heat equation, where c2 is known as the thermal diffusivity of the material.
Example 1: Solve
∂u ∂2u
= , x>0 , t>0
∂t ∂x2
given
u(x, 0) = 0 , u(0, t) = δ(t) , lim u(x, t) = 0 .
x→∞

We have to solve the heat equation for positive x and t, with c2 = 1, subject to the boundary conditions

u(0, t) = δ(t) , lim u(x, t) = 0 ,

x→∞

with the initial condition

u(x, 0) = 0 .
We begin by taking the Laplace transform, with respect to t, of both sides
   2 
∂u ∂ u
L = sL{u(x, t)} = L .
∂t ∂x2

Let L{u(x, t)} = U (x, s), then

∂2U ∂2U
sU ==⇒ − sU = 0 .
∂x2 ∂x2
Notice that we have obtained an ODE, in the variable U , which has a general solution
√ √
U (x, s) = A(s)e sx
+ B(s)e− sx
.

28
Applying the boundary conditions, with L{f (t)} = F (s), we obtain

U (0, s) = L{u(0, t)} = L{δ(t)}) = 1 ,

and Z ∞ Z ∞
lim U (x, s) = lim e−st u(x, t)dt = e−st lim u(x, t)dt = 0 .
x→∞ x→∞ 0 0 x→∞

The boundary condition

lim U (x, s) ⇒ A(s) = 0 ,
x→∞
√
sx
as for every fixed s > 0, e increases as x → ∞ . Hence

U (0, s) = B(s) = 1 .

Therefore √
U (x, s) = e− sx
.
From the tables of the Laplace transforms we obtain the inverse Laplace transform as
√ x x2
e− sx
= √ e− 4t .
2 πt3

Hence
x x2
u(x, t) = √ e− 4t .
2 πt3

Example 2: We find the temperature w(x, t) in a semi-infinite laterally insulated bar extending from
x = 0 along the x-axis to infinity, assuming that the original temperature is 0, w(x, t) → 0 as x → ∞ for
every fixed t ≥ 0 and w(0, t) = √1t .
We have to solve the heat equation for positive x and t subject to the boundary conditions
1
w(0, t) = √ , lim w(x, t) = 0
t x→∞

with the initial condition

w(x, 0) = 0 .
We begin by taking the Laplace transform, with respect to t, of both sides
   2 
∂w ∂ w
L = sL{w(x, t)} − 0 = c2 L .
∂t ∂x2
Let L{w(x, t)} = W (x, s), then

∂2W ∂2W s
sW = c2 2
=⇒ − 2W = 0 .
∂x ∂x2 c
Notice that we have obtained an ODE, in the variable W , which has a general solution
√ √
sx sx
W (x, s) = A(s)e c + B(s)e− c .

Applying the first boundary condition, we have

r r
π π
W (0, s) = L{w(0, t)} = =⇒ W (0, s) = A(s) + B(s) = .
s s
Assuming we can interchange the limit, the second boundary condition gives
Z ∞ Z ∞
−st
lim W (x, s) = lim e w(x, t)dt = e−st lim w(x, t)dt = 0 ,
x→∞ x→∞ 0 0 x→∞
√
sx
thus A(s) = 0 since c > 0, and for every fixed s > 0, e increases as x → ∞ . Hence
c

r
π
W (0, s) = B(s) = .
s

29
Therefore r
π − √sx
W (x, s) = e c .
s
From the tables of the Laplace transforms, we obtain the inverse
√ x
e− s c 1 x2
√ = √ e− 4c2 t .
s πt
Hence
1 x2
w(x, t) = √ e− 4c2 t .
t
By the convolution theorem, see section [6.12], we can also express the solution as
Z t
x2 1
w(x, t) = e− 4c2 τ (t − τ )− 2 dτ .
0

6.18 Unit Step Function

The unit step function, U (t), is defined by

(
0, t<0
U (t) =
1, t ≥ 0.

For t ≥ 0 the unit step function is the same as 1. Therefore the Laplace transform of U (t) is
1
L{U (t)} = L{1} = .
s

Define the shifted unit step function, U (t − a) as

(
0, 0 ≤ t < a
U (t − a) =
1, t ≥ a,

then the Laplace transform of U (t − a) is

Z ∞ ∞
e−as
Z
LU (t − a) = U (t − a)e−st dt = e−st dt = .
0 a s

6.19 Second Shift Theorem

Theorem 6.3 Let x(t) be a function, then

L{x(t − a)U (t − a)} = e−as X(s) . (30)

It should be clear that

L−1 {e−as X(s)} = x(t − a)U (t − a) .

7 The Mellin Transform and its Properties

The Mellin transform is extremely useful for certain applications including solving Laplace’s equation.

Definition 7.1 The Mellin transform is defined as

Z ∞
M(f (t); p) = F (p) = f (t)tp−1 dt,
0

for some p > 0.

30
7.1 Relation to Laplace Transform

For t = e−x , dt = −e−x dx. Substitution into Definition (7.1) gives

Z ∞
M(f (t); p) = f (e−x )(e−x )p−1 e−x dx
−∞
which is by definition the Laplace transform of e−px that is L{f (e−x )}.

7.2 Inversion Formula

For c lying in the strip of analyticity of F (p), we have

Z c+i∞
1
f (t) = F (p)t−p dp.
2πi c−i∞

7.3 Scaling Property for a > 0

We have Z ∞
M(f (at); p) = f (at)tp−1 dt.
0
Substituting x = at where dx = adt, we obtain
Z ∞
a−p f (x)xp−1 dx = a−p F (p).
0

7.4 Multiplication by ta

Similar to the scaling property, we obtain

Z ∞
M(ta f (t); p) = f (t)t(p+a)−1 dt = F (p + a).
0

7.5 Derivative

We have
Z ∞
M(f 0 (t); p) = f 0 (t)tp−1 dt
0
 p−1 ∞
Z ∞
= t f (t) 0 − (p − 1) f (t)tp−2 dt
0

which gives
M(f 0 (t); p) = −(p − 1)M(f (t); p − 1)
provided tp−1 f (t) → 0 as x → 0 and tp−1 f (t) → ∞ as x → ∞.
For the n-th derivative this produces
M(f (n) (t); p) = (−1)n (p − 1)(p − 2)(p − 3)...(p − n)F (p − n)
provided that the extension to higher derivatives of the conditions as x → 0 and asx → ∞ holds upto
(n − 1)th derivative.
Knowing that
(p − 1)! Γ(p)
(p − 1)(p − 2)(p − 3)...(p − n) = =
(p − n − 1)! Γ(p − n)
the expression for the n-th derivative can be expressed as
Γ(p)
M(f (n) (t); p) = (−1)n F (p − n).
Γ(p − n)

31
7.6 Another Property of the Derivative
(p + n − 1)!
M(xn f (n) (t); p) = (−1)n F (p).
(p − 1)!

7.7 Integral

By making use of the derivative property Rof the Mellin transform we can easily derive this property. We
t
begin by choosing to write f (t) as f (t) = 0 h(u)du where f 0 (t) = h(t). As a result, we obtain
Z t
M(f (t) = h(t); p) = −(p − 1)M(f (t) =
0
h(u)du; p − 1).
0

Rearranging gives Z t
1
− M(h(t); p) = M( h(u)du; p − 1)
p−1 0
Substituting p for p − 1 we arrive at the desired identity
Z t
1
− M(h(t); p + 1) = M( h(u)du; p).
p 0

7.8 Example 1

The Mellin transform of 2

e−t
is computed using the fact that
M(e−t ; p) = Γ(p).
Then by the scaling property, we immediately have that
 
2 1 p 1 p
M(e−t ; p) = M(e−t ; ) = Γ .
2 2 2 2

7.9 Example 2

The Mellin transform of Z ∞

2
e−u du
0
is computed as Z t  
2 2 1 (p + 1)
M( e−u du; p) = M(e−t ; p + 1) = − Γ .
0 2p 2

32
7.10 The Mellin Tranform & The Zeta Function

The Mellin transform is an integral transform that helps to transform the symmetries of the ϑ functions
to the symmetries of the ζ functions. The Mellin transform of
1
ex − 1
with <(s) > 1 is computed as
Z ∞
1 1
M( x
; p) = xs−1
dx
e −1 0 −1 ex
Z ∞ ∞
X
= xs−1 e−nx dx
0 n=1
∞ Z
X ∞
= xs−1 e−nx dx
n=1 0

Setting nx = t with dt = ndx

∞ Z  s−1
∞
X t 1
= e−t dt
n=1 0
n n
X∞ Z ∞
= n−s ts−1 e−t dt
n=1 0

= ζ(s)Γ(s).

33