Is This Partial Fraction Set Up Correct?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on verifying the setup for partial fraction decomposition of the integral ∫(2x-1)/(x²(3x+1)(x²+1))dx. The initial setup presented was confirmed to be correct, leading to a breakdown of coefficients for A, B, C, D, and E. Participants recalculated the values, correcting mistakes and arriving at A = -27/2, B = -1/2, C = -1/2, D = 5, and E = -1. The importance of careful substitution and coefficient comparison was emphasized to avoid errors in the calculations. Overall, the conversation highlights the collaborative effort to resolve the integral problem accurately.
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Use partial fraction decompostion to find:
\int_{a}^{b} \frac{2x-1}{x^2(3x+1)(x^2 + 1)}

is this partial fraction set up correct?

\frac{A}{3x +1} + \frac{Bx + C}{x^2 +1} + \frac{Dx + E}{x^2} = 2x - 1

If this is correct i can solve the integral.
 
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Almost. It's

\frac{A}{3x +1} + \frac{Bx + C}{x^2 +1} + \frac{Dx + E}{x^2} = \frac{2x - 1}{x^2(3x+1)(x^2+1)}

I'm sure you meant that anyways, though...
 
yeah that's what i meant. thanks
 
this problem is harder than i thought are the following answers correct:

A = 27/10
B = -1
C = 1/10
D = -7/10
E = 1
 
I get

A = -\ \frac{27}{2}, \; B = C = - \ \frac{1}{2}, \; D = 5, \; E = -1.
 
i don't see how Data. i believe you but i can't reproduce those numbers.
how did you do it?
 
my first number A = 27/10 is wrong so that makes every thing that follows wrong.
 
OMG! I'm using 2x +1 instead of the correct 2x-1
 
First multiply each side through by all three factors in the denominator on the right to get

Ax^2(x^2+1) \ + \ (Bx+C)(3x+1)x^2 \ + \ (Dx+E)(x^2+1)(3x+1) = 2x-1

now sub x=0 to immediately give E=-1. Then sub x=-1/3 to give

A\left(-\frac{1}{3}\right)^2\left(\left(-\frac{1}{3}\right)^2+1\right) = -\frac{5}{3} \Longrightarrow A = -\frac{27}{2}

After that, look at the coefficient of x on both sides. On the left it is D+3E and on the right 2, so

D+3E = D - 3 = 2 \Longrightarrow D = 5.

Now look at the coefficient of x^2 on both sides. On the left it is A + C + 3D + E and on the right 0 so

A + C + 3D + E = -\frac{27}{2} + C + 15 - 1 = 0 \Longrightarrow C = -\frac{1}{2}.

Finally look at the coefficient of x^3 on both sides. On the left it is B+3C+D+3E and on the right it is 0 so we get

B + 3C + D + 3E = B - \frac{3}{2} + 5 - 3 = 0 \Longrightarrow B = -\frac{1}{2}

so overall we have found

E = -1, \; A = -\frac{27}{2}, \; D = 5, \; C = B = -\frac{1}{2}

as I said :smile:
 
  • #10
I've been making dumb mistakes all day. thanks for taking the time to latex your replies , and thanks for all the help.
 
  • #11
No problem :smile:

I latex everything that I can anyways, better to get used to it now!
 
  • #12
\frac{2x-1}{x^2\left( 3x+1\right) \left( x^2+1\right) }=\allowbreak -\frac 1{x^2}+\frac 5x-\frac{27}{2\left( 3x+1\right) }-\frac 12\frac{x+1}{x^2+1}

Daniel.

P.S.Just trying my Maple :rolleyes: :-p ...
 
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