Integrating Partial Fractions: Solving a Challenging Integral

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The discussion revolves around a challenging integral that initially seems to require integration by partial fractions. The poster struggles with the problem for several hours without success. A helpful response suggests using a substitution method, specifically letting u = 2x - 1, which simplifies the integral significantly. After applying this substitution, the poster successfully arrives at the correct answer of 4/3. The conversation highlights the effectiveness of substitution over partial fractions in this particular case.
Matty R
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Hello :smile:

I've been stuck on this question for almost 3 hours now, and I still have no idea what to do. We haven't done a question like this in class, although we have done integration with partial fractions.

Homework Statement



Evaluate:

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/4110/34519231.jpg


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/7321/21305382.jpg

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/4774/89099153.jpg

If I make A and B equal 0, I get C = 6. Then I just end up with the same integral as I started with.

I'd really appreciate any help with this. :smile:

Thank you
 
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No need for partial fractions. Try letting u = 2x - 1.
 
I was convinced it had something to do with partial fractions. :redface:

I've just done the u substitution thingy and 4/3, which is the correct answer.

Thank you very much for your help. :smile:
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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