Final answer:
The initial value problem using Laplace transforms: y''(t) + 4y'(t) + 4y(t) = e^(-t), we find the solution y(t) = e^-t/4 + te^-t/2.
Step-by-step explanation:
To solve the initial value problem using Laplace transforms, we need to take the Laplace transform of both sides of the equation. Let's denote the Laplace transform of a function y(t) as Y(s). Using the properties of Laplace transforms:
s^2Y(s) + 4sY(s) + 4Y(s) = 1/(s+1)
Simplifying the equation:
Y(s) = 1/(s+1)/(s^2 + 4s + 4)
We can now factor the denominator and look up the Laplace transform pairs in a table to find the inverse Laplace transform.
The denominator factors as (s+2)^2:
Y(s) = 1/(s+1)/(s+2)^2
Using the table, we find the inverse Laplace transform:
y(t) = e^-t/4 + te^-t/2
So therefore the solution y(t) = e^-t/4 + te^-t/2.