Partial fraction decomposition exercise 2

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the topic of partial fraction decomposition, specifically focusing on the expression (-2x^2 + 20x - 68) / (x^3 + 4x^2 + 4x + 16). Participants are examining the steps involved in setting up the decomposition and identifying mistakes in the original poster's approach.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the process of factoring the denominator and setting up the equations for partial fraction decomposition. There are questions about the correctness of the original problem statement and the calculations leading to the equations for A, B, and C.

Discussion Status

Some participants have pointed out potential errors in the original equations derived from the decomposition process. There is an ongoing exploration of the implications of these errors, with suggestions to reconsider the approach to solving the system of equations without relying on matrices.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted typo in the problem statement regarding the denominator, which has led to confusion in the calculations. Participants are also questioning the necessity of using matrices for solving the equations, suggesting alternative methods for simplification.

ducmod
Messages
86
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Hello!
Here is my second post on the subject partial fraction decomposition. The subject looks pretty easy to learn, but when I try exercises, I do not get to the correct answer. Please, take a look at the exercise below and help me to see my mistakes.

Homework Equations


(-2x^2 + 20x - 68) / (x^3 + 4x^2 + 4x + 16)

The Attempt at a Solution


Step 1: create a form for partial fraction decomposition by factoring the denominator:
x^3 + 4x^2 + 4x + 16 = (x^2 + 4) ( x + 4)
x^2 + 4 is in irreducible quadratic form, thus I will work with the above factors
Step 2: clear denominators
(-2x^2 + 20x - 68) (x^2 + 4) ( x + 4) / (x^3 + 4x^2 + 4x + 16) = A (x^2 + 4) ( x + 4) / (x + 4) + (Bx + C) (x^2 + 4) ( x + 4) / (x^2 + 4)
-2x^2 + 20x - 68 = x^2 (A + B) + x ( C + 4B) + 4C + 4A
Step 3: find values of A, B, C
A + C = -2
C + 4B = 20
4C + 4A = -68 (A + C) = -17
Matrix A
1 0 1
0 1 4
1 0 1
Matrix B
-2
20
-17
And the determinant of matrix A is zero, hence I can't solve the task using Cramer's rule. Obviously, there are mistakes in my approach. What are they? Please, help me to see them.
Thank you!
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
ducmod said:

Homework Statement


Hello!
Here is my second post on the subject partial fraction decomposition. The subject looks pretty easy to learn, but when I try exercises, I do not get to the correct answer. Please, take a look at the exercise below and help me to see my mistakes.

Homework Equations


(-2x^2 + 20x - 68) / (x^3 + 4x^2 + 4x - 68)

The Attempt at a Solution


Step 1: create a form for partial fraction decomposition by factoring the denominator:
x^3 + 4x^2 + 4x - 68 = (x^2 + 4) ( x + 4)
The two sides are not equal. Check if you copied the problem correctly.
ducmod said:
x^2 + 4 is in irreducible quadratic form, thus I will work with the above factors
Step 2: clear denominators
(-2x^2 + 20x - 68) (x^2 + 4) ( x + 4) / (x^3 + 4x^2 + 4x - 68) = A (x^2 + 4) ( x + 4) / (x + 4) + (Bx + C) (x^2 + 4) ( x + 4) / (x^2 + 4)
-2x^2 + 20x - 68 = x^2 (A + B) + x ( C + 4B) + 4C + 4A
Step 3: find values of A, B, C
A + C = -2
C + 4B = 20
4C + 4A = -68 (A + C) = -17
Matrix A
1 0 1
0 1 4
1 0 1
Matrix B
-2
20
-17
And the determinant of matrix A is zero, hence I can't solve the task using Cramer's rule. Obviously, there are mistakes in my approach. What are they? Please, help me to see them.
Thank you!
 
ehild said:
The two sides are not equal. Check if you copied the problem correctly.
sorry, it's a typo; +16 instead of -68 in the denominator, but all calculations are based on +16 value
 
ducmod said:
-2x^2 + 20x - 68 = x^2 (A + B) + x ( C + 4B) + 4C + 4A
Step 3: find values of A, B, C
A + C B= -2
C + 4B = 20
4C + 4A = -68 (A + C) = -17
There is a mistake in your equations. The first one is A+B=-2.
 
ducmod said:

Homework Statement


Hello!
Here is my second post on the subject partial fraction decomposition. The subject looks pretty easy to learn, but when I try exercises, I do not get to the correct answer. Please, take a look at the exercise below and help me to see my mistakes.

Homework Equations


(-2x^2 + 20x - 68) / (x^3 + 4x^2 + 4x + 16)

The Attempt at a Solution


Step 1: create a form for partial fraction decomposition by factoring the denominator:
x^3 + 4x^2 + 4x + 16 = (x^2 + 4) ( x + 4)
x^2 + 4 is in irreducible quadratic form, thus I will work with the above factors
Step 2: clear denominators
(-2x^2 + 20x - 68) (x^2 + 4) ( x + 4) / (x^3 + 4x^2 + 4x + 16) = A (x^2 + 4) ( x + 4) / (x + 4) + (Bx + C) (x^2 + 4) ( x + 4) / (x^2 + 4)
-2x^2 + 20x - 68 = x^2 (A + B) + x ( C + 4B) + 4C + 4A
Step 3: find values of A, B, C
A + C = -2
C + 4B = 20
4C + 4A = -68 (A + C) = -17
Matrix A
1 0 1
0 1 4
1 0 1
Matrix B
-2
20
-17
And the determinant of matrix A is zero, hence I can't solve the task using Cramer's rule. Obviously, there are mistakes in my approach. What are they? Please, help me to see them.
Thank you!

\frac{A}{4+x} + \frac{Bx+C}{x^2+4} = \frac{(A+B)x^2 + (4B+C)x +(4A+4C)}{(x+4)(x^2+4)}
Thus, the equations are
A+B = -2 \\<br /> 4B+C = 20 \\<br /> 4A+4C=-68<br />
Why bother with matrices? It is much easier just to use elementary elimination: the second equation gives ##C = 20-4B##, and putting that into the other two equations gives two linear equations in ##A## and ##B## alone. Solving 2x2 linear systems is pretty easy.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K