# Partial fractions- repeated linear factors

1. ### nirvana1990

46
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

I don't understand something I have read about partial fractions so I wonder if anyone can help!

To each repeated linear factor in the denominator of the form (x-a)^2, there correspond partial fractions of the form : A/(x-a) + B/(x-a)^2

Is this true if we have (a+x)^2? Also why is this true? The book I'm using doesn't have an explanation and I can't find much on the internet (well nothing that I understand!)

2. ### malawi_glenn

4,726
you mean if we have like:

$$\dfrac{3z + 1}{(3+z)^2}$$

you do the same thing as if you would have:

$$\dfrac{5z+ 2}{(z-8)^2}$$

The form you are talking about, is that it is costumary to write so, scince you can factorize a polynomial as this:
P(x) = (x-a)(x-b)*..*(x-t)

where: a,b,..,t are zeroths to the polynomial.

In an example maybe a is 3 and b = -4, then you'll have :
P(x) = (x-3)(x-(-4)) = (x-3)(x+4)

And if you have things like this:

$$\dfrac{something}{(z-8)^3}$$

Then you make this ansatz:

$$\dfrac{A}{z-8} + \dfrac{B}{(z-8)^2} + \dfrac{C}{(z-8)^3}$$

And if you have like:
$$\dfrac{something}{z^2 + 3z-8}$$

You make this ansatz:
$$\dfrac{Az+B}{z^2 + 3z-8}$$

And so on.

Last edited: Oct 1, 2007
3. ### nirvana1990

46
When we're splitting up the fraction into partial fractions why do we then split up the denominator like this: A/(z-8)+B/(z-8)^2+C/(z-8)^3?
Why do we not do : A/(z-8)+B/(z-8)+c/(z-8)?[/quote]
Add them! That's just (A+B+C)/(z-8) and since A, B, C are just some constants, their sum is just "some constant"- that would be exactly the same as A/(z+8) with different A.

They are not "independent". You need the different powers so that you can get z2 and z in the numerator:
A/(z-8)+ B/(z-8)2+ C/(z-8)3= A(z-8)2/(z-8)^3+ B(z-8)/(z-8)^2+ C/(z-8)3= (Az2-16Az+ 64A+ Bz- 8B+ C)/(z-8)3= (Az2-(16A+ B)z+ (64A-8B+ C)/(z-8)3. That way, you can choose A, B, and C to make the coeffients anything you want. If you used only A/(z-8), you can't!

Last edited by a moderator: Oct 1, 2007
4. ### malawi_glenn

4,726

Just because what you said, that leads to an inconsistency. I may not have time to give you a full mathematical proof now, I will just say that sometimes we must accept things as they are and move on. maybe later you can go back and prove it yourself :)

As with the fundamental theorem of algebra, that theoreme is used in on your first algebra courses, but you have no ability to prove it until you reach Complex analysis.

maybe some other guy have the time to give you the full proof. Partial fractions is used quite often, so it is very good to know the technuiqes.

But I can give you a clue; you want to have:
(z^2 + 5z + 4)/(z-8)^3 = A/(z-8)+B/(z-8)^2+C/(z-8)^3
Then you can not have only (z-8) terms in the denominator; that will give you:
(z^2 + 5z + 4)/(z-8)^3 = (A + B + C)/(z-8)

And that does not (in general) work; thats why we do the ansatz : A/(z-8)+B/(z-8)^2+C/(z-8)^3

Last edited: Oct 1, 2007
5. ### nirvana1990

46
Aahh it says I wrote that reply up there! Anyway thanks for the help- so the only reason we do that is so that we are able to compare the coefficients? I don't think I'll look for the proof online! Maybe I'll just move on to the next chapter....
Thanks again!

6. ### YuUZoe

2

something/(x^2-1)^2

how do you solve the denominator?

Thanks

7. ### malawi_glenn

4,726
(x^2 - 1) = (x +1)(x - 1)

Now what do you suggest?

Last edited: Oct 11, 2007
8. ### BicolXpress

1

u mean the numerator?

y/(x^2-1)^2 = A/(x+1) + B/(x-1)

9. ### malawi_glenn

4,726

No that is completly wrong.

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