Partial fraction decomposition

[ehrenfest]

Homework Statement

Go here: http://www.unl.edu/amc/a-activities/a7-problems/putnam/-pdf/1999s.pdf

You do not need to read the problem. In solution two for 1999 A3, I can do the partial fraction decomposition but I get something different from that... I am wondering whether that comes from the partial fraction decomposition or something else...

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

 

[HallsofIvy]

We don't need to read the problem and you won't tell us what you did- but you want someone to tell you if what you did was right? How, exactly?

 

[ehrenfest]

It would take me like 6 lines of latex to show what I did, so I am asking whether it was the right choice of technique not whether I performed it right. I want to know how they arrived at the equality after "Note that".

 

[HallsofIvy]

1- 2x- x²= -(x²+ 2x+ 1-1)+1= 2- (x-1)² so 1- 2x- x²= 0 has roots x= 1\pm \sqrt{2} and so can 1-2x-x² can be factored as (x-1-\sqrt{2})(x-1+\sqrt{2}). Using "partial fractions" then
\frac{1}{1-2x-x^2}= \frac{A}{x-1-\sqrt{2}}+ \frac{B}{x-1+\sqrt{2}}
gives A= -1/2\sqrt{2} and B= 1/2\sqrt{2}. The final form is got by dividing both numerator and denominator of the first fraction by 1+\sqrt{2} and the numerator and denominator of the second fraction by 1-\sqrt{2}.

 

[ehrenfest]

I tried that and then x is divided by what you want it to be multiplied by!

 

[ehrenfest]

The final form is got by dividing both numerator and denominator of the first fraction by 1+\sqrt{2} and the numerator and denominator of the second fraction by 1-\sqrt{2}.

Can you explain how that gives the final form? I cannot figure out how to manipulate that any more.

EDIT: never mind I see

 

[ehrenfest]

1- 2x- x²= -(x²+ 2x+ 1-1)+1= 2- (x-1)² so 1- 2x- x²= 0 has roots x= 1\pm \sqrt{2} and so can 1-2x-x² can be factored as (x-1-\sqrt{2})(x-1+\sqrt{2}). Using "partial fractions" then
\frac{1}{1-2x-x^2}= \frac{A}{x-1-\sqrt{2}}+ \frac{B}{x-1+\sqrt{2}}
gives A= -1/2\sqrt{2} and B= 1/2\sqrt{2}. The final form is got by dividing both numerator and denominator of the first fraction by 1+\sqrt{2} and the numerator and denominator of the second fraction by 1-\sqrt{2}.

You're factorization is wrong. The roots of it should be x = -1 +/- sqrt(2).