Solve Partial Fractions: 1+u2/(1+u4)

  • Thread starter Thread starter KLscilevothma
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Fraction Partial
AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around solving the partial fraction decomposition of the expression (1+u^2)/(1+u^4). The user identifies a discrepancy in their calculations, noting that their factorization of 1+u^4 is incorrect, leading to confusion about the appearance of sqrt(2) in the textbook's solution. They explore the substitution method used in integration, specifically Euler's transformation, which is suggested for evaluating certain types of integrals. The conversation highlights the importance of correctly identifying factors and substitutions to achieve accurate results in integration problems. Ultimately, the user is encouraged to compare different substitution methods for better understanding.
KLscilevothma
Messages
315
Reaction score
0
I have been doing revision on integration lately, and came across a question that need to resolve (1+u2)/(1+u4) in partial fraction before I can proceed.

1+u4 = (u2-2u+2)(x2+2u+2)

therefore 1+u2 = (Au+B)(x2+2u+2) + (Cu+D)(u2-2u+2)
and I need to find out A, B, C and D

But wait, the next step in my textbook contains something like (1+sqrt(2)u+u2) and (1-sqrt(2)+u2) in denominators, so what is the problem and where does sqrt(2) come from ?

PS
original question:
[inte]dx/[(1+x2)(sqrt(1-x2))]
and the substitution used is :
u=sqrt[(1-x)/(1+x)]
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
1+u4 = (u2-2u+2)(x2+2u+2)

This is false. If you expand it, you get 4 for your constant term, not 1. I presume that if you replaced your factors with the two with sqrt(2) in them you'd get the correct result.



P.S. why that substitution? It seems to work, but I've never seen that sort of substitution suggested before.

P.P.S. After you get the solution your way, try substituting x=sin θ and compare the work done.
 
Thanks for your reply.

1+u4 = (u^2-2u+2)(x^2+2u+2)

This is false
Oh yes, though I've expanded the brackets and checked, thought 4 was the constant instead of 1. I also thought
cos(pi/4)+isin(pi/4)=1+i, that's why I got it wrong. (I did my revision for more than 4 hours till 4am, and it was one of the last questions I did)

why that substitution
According to my book, it's called Euler's transformation. If we want to evaluate integrals of the type [squ](ax2+bx+c) and if ax2+bx+c can be factorized into real linear factors a(x-[alpha])(x-[beta]), use
u=[squ][a(x-[alpha])/(x-[beta])] as substitution.

For example, in this question,
[inte]dx/{[(1+x2)sqrt(1-x2)]}
=[inte]dx/{(1+x2)(1+x)sqrt[(1-x)(1+x)]}

substitution, u=sqrt[(1-x)/(1+x)]

In another textbook, t2 = (1-x2)(1+x2) is used as substitution. It seems that the second method is easier and doesn't need to use partial fraction.
 
Suppose ,instead of the usual x,y coordinate system with an I basis vector along the x -axis and a corresponding j basis vector along the y-axis we instead have a different pair of basis vectors ,call them e and f along their respective axes. I have seen that this is an important subject in maths My question is what physical applications does such a model apply to? I am asking here because I have devoted quite a lot of time in the past to understanding convectors and the dual...
Insights auto threads is broken atm, so I'm manually creating these for new Insight articles. In Dirac’s Principles of Quantum Mechanics published in 1930 he introduced a “convenient notation” he referred to as a “delta function” which he treated as a continuum analog to the discrete Kronecker delta. The Kronecker delta is simply the indexed components of the identity operator in matrix algebra Source: https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/what-exactly-is-diracs-delta-function/ by...

Similar threads

Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
11
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
10
Views
2K
Back
Top