[Math] Calculate the convolution of two constants. (5.6-1)

convolutionlaplace transformproof-verification

Request

I am very new to this so please bear with me. I cannot duplicate the answer in the book. I believe I may be making a methodical error. Please correct it for me.

Given:

Find the convolution of $f(t)=1$ and $g(t)=1$.

$$h(t)=(f*g)(t)=\int_0^t f(\tau)g(t-\tau)d\tau$$

My Solution:

$$h(t)=(1*1)(t)=\int_0^t 1\cdot (1-\tau)d\tau=\tau-\frac{\tau^2}{2}|_0^t=t^-\frac{t^2}{2} = \frac{t}{2}$$

Answer in Text:

$$h(t)=t$$

Best Answer

The problem is that you're using $1-\tau$ as part of the integrand. However, if $g(t)=1$ then $g(t-\tau)$ also equals $1$, and the integral is simply

$$\int_0^tf(\tau)g(t-\tau)d\tau=\int_0^t1\cdot 1\,d\tau=\int_0^td\tau=t$$