Partial Fractions

Lesson 8.5

Partial Fraction Decomposition

Consider adding two algebraic fractions
3 2 x 23 ?2 x 4 x 5 x x 20

Partial fraction decomposition reverses the process

x 23 3 2 2 x x 20 x 4 x 5

Partial Fraction Decomposition

Motivation for this process
The separate terms are easier to integrate

x 23 3 2 x2 x 20 dx x 4 dx x 5 dx

The Process
Given
P( x) f ( x) ( x r )n

Where polynomial P(x) has degree < n P(r) 0

Then f(x) can be decomposed with this cascading form

An A1 A2 ... 2 n x r x r x r

Strategy
Given N(x)/D(x) 1.If degree of N(x) greater than degree of D(x) divide the denominator into the numerator to obtain
N1 ( x) N ( x) a polynomial + D( x) D( x)

Degree of N1(x) will be less than that of D(x)

Now proceed with following steps for N1(x)/D(x)

Strategy
2. Factor the denominator into factors of the form p x q m and a x 2 b x c n where a x b x c is irreducible m 3. For each factor p x q the partial fraction must include the following sum of m fractions
2

A B M ... 2 m p x q p x q p x q

Strategy
4. Quadratic factors: For each factor of the n 2 a x b x c , the partial fraction form decomposition must include the following sum of n fractions.
Ax B Cx D Kx J ... 2 n 2 2 2 a x b x c a x b x c a x b x c

A Variation
Suppose rational 3x 1 3x 1 function has distinct 2 x 1 x 1 x 1 linear factors Then we know

3x 1 A B 2 x 1 x 1 x 1 A x 1 B x 1 x 1 x 1

A Variation
Now multiply through by the denominator to clear them from the equation

3x 1 A x 1 B x 1
Let x = 1 and x = -1 Solve for A and B

What If
Single irreducible quadratic factor

f ( x)

s x t

P( x)

But P(x) degree < 2m

Then cascading form is

Am x Bm A1 x B1 A2 x B2 ... 2 m 2 2 2 x s x t x s x t x s x t

Gotta Try It
Given Then
f ( x)

2 x3 5
2

x
...

2 x3 5
2

Ax B Cx D 2 2 2 x 2 x 2

2 x3 5 Ax B x 2 2 Cx D Ax 3 Bx 2 2 A C x 2 B D

Gotta Try It
2 x 5 Ax B x 2 Cx D
3 2

Ax Bx 2 A C x 2 B D
3 2

Now equate corresponding coefficients on each side Solve for A, B, C, and D

2 x3 5
2

Ax B Cx D 2 x 2 x 2 2 2

Even More Exciting

When
P( x) f ( x) D( x)

but

P(x) and D(x) are polynomials with no common

factors D(x) 0

Example

x2 x 3 f ( x) 2 x x 1

Combine the Methods

Consider
P( x) f ( x) D( x)

where

P(x), D(x) have no common factors D(x) 0

Express as cascading functions of

x r

Ai

and

Ak x Bk
2

s x t

Try It This Time

Given
2

x2 5x 4 f ( x) 2 x 1 x 3 x 5x 4 Ax B C 2 2 x 1 x 3 x 1 x 3

Now manipulate the expression to determine A, B, and C

Partial Fractions for Integration

Use these principles for the following integrals

x 5 dx
3

4x 3
2

x 1 x2 4 x 3 dx

Why Are We Doing This?

Remember, the whole idea is to make the rational function easier to integrate
x 5x 4 Ax B C 2 2 x 1 x 3 x 1 x 3
2

2x 1 1 2 x 1 x 3 2x 1 1 x 2 1 x 2 1 x 3 dx

Assignment
Lesson 8.5 Page 559 Exercises 1 45 EOO