Decomposing Fractions Using Laplace Transformations

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on decomposing the fraction \(\frac{1}{(s^2 + 1)(s-3)(s+2)}\) using Laplace transformations. The user attempts to express this fraction in the form \(\frac{A}{s^2 + 1} + \frac{B}{s-3} + \frac{C}{s+2}\) but encounters errors in their calculations. The correct coefficients are identified as \(A = 2s - 4\), \(B = 2\), and \(C = -4\), highlighting the importance of correctly identifying the numerator for the term with \(s^2 + 1\) as \(As + B\).

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  • Understanding of Laplace transformations
  • Knowledge of partial fraction decomposition
  • Familiarity with algebraic manipulation of polynomials
  • Basic calculus concepts
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Students and professionals in engineering, mathematics, and physics who are working with Laplace transformations and need to understand the decomposition of fractions for analysis and problem-solving.

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Separating a fraction

I don't remember what this method is named in English, but I want to write the fraction

[tex]\frac{1}{(s^2 + 1)(s-3)(s+2)}[/tex]

in the form

[tex]\frac{A}{s^2 + 1} + \frac{B}{s-3} + \frac{C}{s+2}[/tex]

I multiply A with (s-3)(s+2), B with (s^2 + 1)(s+2) and C with (s^2 + 1)(s-3), to get

[tex]As^2 - As - 6A + Bs^3 + 2Bs^2 + Bs + 2B + Cs^3 - 3Cs^2 + Cs - 3C = 1[/tex]

and the equations

(1) B + C = 0
(2) A + 2B - 3C = 0
(3) -A + B + C = 0
(4) -6A + 2B - 3C = 1

(1) and (3) gives A = 0
(2) then gives B = C = 0

This is obviously wrong. The correct answer is

A = 2s - 4
B = 2
C = -4

according to my book. There must be something I don't understand here...
 
Last edited:
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For the fraction containing the denominator of (s^2+1), the numerator should be As+B.
 

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