then the Laplace transform exists. For each f(t), Equation (16.27) places a limitation on the possible values of a. The abscissa of convergence is defined as the value ac such that for (16.28) Equation (16.27) holds. The range of values defined by Equation (16.28) is called the region of convergence, and the Laplace transform exists only for values of s = a + jw confined to this region. Regions of convergence appear as vertical strips in the s plane. As an example, let us find ac for f (I) = e"'. We are seeking a range of values for a such that lim le"'le-" 1 = 0, or lim e<a-o)t = 0. Clearly, any t-+00 t-+00 number a > a will meet this requirement, indicating that this function has ac =a. The region of convergence is the portion of the s plane to the right of the vertical line positioned at a = a. If a > 0, this line lies to the right of the j w axis; if a < 0, it lies to the left. An example of a function for which the Laplace transform does not exist is f(t) = e 12 . This is so because no a can be found that will make lim le 12 le-(T 1 HOO approach zero. Fortunately, the functions of interest in engineering do admit Laplace transforms. Exercise 16.3 Find the abscissa of convergence of (a) 8(t), (b) te-"'u(t), (c) (e-"' cosbt)u(t), and (d) (coshbt)u(t). ANSWER (a) ac = 0; (b) ac =-a; (c) ac =-a; (d) ac = (b(. 16.3 OPERATIONAL TRANSFORMS The Laplace transform and its inverse affect not only functions but also opera- tions upon functions. In this section we investigate how time operations upon f(t) translate into complex-frequency operations upon F(s), and vice versa. Linearity Given two causal functions f 1 (t) and j,(l) having Laplace transforms F 1 (s) and F,(s), we wish to find the Laplace transform of their linear combination af 1 (t) + bj,(t), where a and bare constants. By definition, .:f(af, (t) + bj,(t)) = 1 00 [af, (I)+ bj,(t)]e-" dt =a 1"' f1 (t)e-" dt + b 1 00 j,(t)e-" dt or (16.29)