Integration by partial fractions

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on solving the integral of (x^2-1)/((x+2)^2(x+3)) using partial fraction decomposition. The user initially breaks the expression into components A/(x+2)^2, Bx+C/(x+2), and D/(x+3), but struggles with setting up the system of equations. They suggest multiplying through by (x+2)^2(x+3) and substituting x=-3 to simplify the problem. After expanding and grouping terms, they derive values for A, B, C, and D, ultimately finding A=0, D=8, C=-7, and B=3. The conversation highlights the importance of careful notation and organization in solving such integrals.
Spectre32
Messages
136
Reaction score
0
Ok this is the Integral:

(x^2-1)/((x+2)^2(x+3))


Now What i did is break this up into the A + B+C ...etc etc and i came to this:


A/(x+2)^2 + Bx+C/(x+2) + D/X+3... Now i know i got to use systems of equations but I've been working on this for like 40 mins and i still can't get it straight. If anyone can help me power through this i should then be set.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
multiply everything by (x+2)^2(x+3). After that if you set x=-3 than everything will cancel out except D, which you can than solve for. If you set x=-3 you can create an equation that you can solve for later.

Here comes the annoying part. Expand everything out. Than group everything that has the same degree polynomial (ie group everything that is x^2, x^1, x^0) and factor out the x term. You'll notice that all of this must be equal to x^2-1. Thus, whatever you have infront of x^2 must be 1. Whatever you have infront of x must be 0. Everything else would have to be -1. You have a bunch of equations and 3 more variables to solve for. Enjoy.

i got A=0, D=8, C=-7, B=3.
 
(Note to Spectre: you need to be more careful about using parentheses)

Why do you have (Bx + C) / (x + 2)?
 
Its supposed to be (Ax + B) / (x + 2)^2 + C/(x + 2) + D/(x + 3)...
 
Why do you have (Ax + B) / (x + 2)^2?
 
Yeah I know... i broke it up and then everything went to plan.. thanks.
 
TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'
Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
Back
Top