Integration by Partial Fractions

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on solving the integral of the rational function \(\frac{3x^2 + 10x + 13}{(x-1)(x^2 + 4x + 8)}\) using partial fractions. Participants emphasize the importance of correctly determining the coefficients A, B, and C in the equation \(\frac{3x^2 + 10x + 13}{(x-1)(x^2 + 4x + 8)} = \frac{A}{x-1} + \frac{Bx + C}{x^2 + 4x + 8}\). The correct approach involves equating coefficients from both sides of the equation, leading to the values A=2, B=1, and C=3. The final integration step is crucial for obtaining the correct result.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of partial fraction decomposition
  • Familiarity with polynomial equations and coefficient comparison
  • Knowledge of integration techniques, particularly for rational functions
  • Basic algebra skills for manipulating equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the method of partial fraction decomposition in detail
  • Practice solving integrals of rational functions using partial fractions
  • Learn about polynomial long division for cases where the degree of the numerator exceeds that of the denominator
  • Explore advanced integration techniques, such as integration by substitution and integration by parts
USEFUL FOR

Students studying calculus, particularly those focusing on integration techniques, as well as educators seeking to enhance their teaching methods in rational function integration.

Illusionist
Messages
34
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



[(3x^2)+10x+13]/[(x-1)([x^2]+4x+8)]


Homework Equations



I think solving this question should include partial fractions.

The Attempt at a Solution



I've made a few different attempts at this question but find myself at a dead end every time.
One attempt was expanding the denominator (giving me [x^3]+3[x^2]+4x-8. I then let this equal v, hence dv/du= 3(u^2)+6u+4.
From this I got my original equation to look like this: [((3x^2)+6x+4)+(4x+9)]/[(x^3)+3(x^2)+4x-8] hence:

1/v .dv + (4x+9)]/[(x^3)+3(x^2)+4x-8] . dx

I can seem to differentiate the second part, but even worse I think this approach is wrong.

If anyone has any advice or help with this sort of question please share, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks guys.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Do you mean:
\int \frac{3x^2+10x+13}{(x-1)x^2+4x+8}dx?
 
I think solving this question should include partial fractions
Right.
remember how to do partial fraction
\frac{3x^2+10x+13}{(x-1)(x^2+4x+8)} = \frac{A}{x-1}+\frac{Bx+C}{x^2+4x+8}
Find A, B and C and try to solve then we can continue.
 
Matness is correct. You will have that linear term and the quadratic term.
Get your common denominator and cancell with the left original equation.
And in order to find A & B, the two polynomials inorder to be equal must have equal coefficients for each power of the polynomial..I assume you can take it from here?
 
matness said:
Right.
remember how to do partial fraction
\frac{3x^2+10x+13}{(x-1)(x^2+4x+8)} = \frac{A}{x-1}+\frac{Bx+C}{x^2+4x+8}
Find A, B and C and try to solve then we can continue.

Alright here is what I have come up with:

(3x^2 + 10x + 13) = A(x^2 + 4x + 8) + (Bx + C)(x-1)
(3x^2 + 10x + 13) = A(x^2) + 4xA + 8A + B(x^2) - Bx + Cx - C

Hence - (x^2): 3 = A + B -------> B = 3 - A
(x^1): 10 = 4A - B + C
(x^0): 13 = 8A - C -------> C = 13 - 8A

Sub'ing back in I get:
10 = 4A - (3-A) + (13-8A)
10 = -3A + 10
A= 0
Therefore B=3-0=3 and C = 13-0=13

Hence now we are looking for the integral of (3x + 13)/(x^2 + 4x + 8)

Now this is where I'm running into problems, here's what I've done:
let v= x^2 + 4x + 8 hence dv/du= 2x+4

Hence 2/3 ( [2x + (39/x)] / v ) . du = 2/3 ( [ 2x + 4/ v ] + 9 ( 2^2 + (u+2)^2 ) ) . du

Which after integration I ended up with (2/3) log(v) + 3arctan ([x+2]/2) + C.

This isn't the answer I'm looking for and not sure where I went wrong. Sorry about the long working guys. Again help would be really great and thanks for the responses already guys.
 
I think your solution is nice except one point
13 = 8A - C -------> C = 13 - 8A
If you correct as C=8A-13
You possibly find what you expectd
And thank you for showing your work
That is what we want to see here usually

edit: you have actually some other arithmetical mistakes in the second part
Anyway forget them and try to solve with your new coefficients
 
OK yeah C = 8A - 13 I recalculated:
10= 4Ax - (3 - A)x + x(8A-13)
10= 3Ax 16x
A = (16/13) + (10/13)x

This value of x gave me the following for B and C:
B = 3 - [(16/13) + (10/13)x] = (23/13) - (10/13)x

C = 8[(16/13) + (10/13)x] - 13
C = (80/13)x - (41/13)

Now I still think something is horribly wrong because these sort of solutions for A, B and C are very ugly and makes thinks terrible hard and ugly.
 
where did you find x's?

I think we were agree that
-------------
A+B=3------>B=3-A
4A - B + C =10
8A - C =13--->C=8A-13
----------------

4A-(3-A)+8A-13=10 ---> 13A=26 -->A=2, B=1, C=3

Now try to integrate but not hurry in order to obtain a correct result
 

Similar threads

Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K