Integrate Partial Fractions: x^3/(x^2-1)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around integrating the function x^3/(x^2 - 1) using partial fractions, with participants exploring the conditions under which partial fraction decomposition is applicable. The context includes calculus concepts related to integration techniques.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster questions the applicability of partial fractions due to the degree of the numerator being greater than the denominator. Another participant suggests dividing the numerator by the denominator to find the quotient and remainder, indicating a potential approach to resolve the issue.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, with one suggesting a division approach to facilitate the integration process. There is no explicit consensus on the final method, but a productive direction has been initiated.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of a separate integral involving ln(x) and a request for a suitable substitution, indicating that multiple problems are being discussed in parallel. Participants are cautious about losing marks for using certain methods.

Firepanda
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Integrate using partial fractions:

(int) (x^3)/(x^2 -1) dx

I have put into the form (int) (x^3)/((x-1)(x+1)) dx

I thought partial fractions had this property:

'Partial fractions can only be done if the degree of the numerator is strictly less than the degree of the denominator.'

And this obviously doesn't, so how do you do it?
 
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Firepanda said:
Integrate using partial fractions:

(int) (x^3)/(x^2 -1) dx

I have put into the form (int) (x^3)/((x-1)(x+1)) dx

I thought partial fractions had this property:

'Partial fractions can only be done if the degree of the numerator is strictly less than the degree of the denominator.'

And this obviously doesn't, so how do you do it?

Divide! What is x3 divided by x2- 1? What are the quotient and remainder?
 
ahhh

so it =

x + 1/(x-1) - 1/(x+1)(x-1)

:D
 
While I am here I have another question:

(int) 1 to e (ln(x))/x^2 dx

THe question says, use a suitable substitution to evaluate the definite integral, I can do it by parts but I don't want to lose marks for it.

Can any1 suggest the substitution to get me started?
Thx
 
Firepanda said:
While I am here I have another question:

(int) 1 to e (ln(x))/x^2 dx

THe question says, use a suitable substitution to evaluate the definite integral, I can do it by parts but I don't want to lose marks for it.

Can any1 suggest the substitution to get me started?
Thx
This should be in the Calculus section.

Verifying your problem ...

[tex]\int_1^e\frac{\ln x}{x^2}dx[/tex]
 
rocophysics said:
This should be in the Calculus section.

Verifying your problem ...

[tex]\int_1^e\frac{\ln x}{x^2}dx[/tex]

Yep that's the one
 
Firepanda said:
Yep that's the one
Substitutions ...

[tex]t=\ln x \rightarrow e^t=x[/tex]

[tex]dt=\frac 1 x dx[/tex]

You will need to do parts afterwards.
 

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