Partial Fractions: Why is My Expansion Wrong?

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The discussion centers on the confusion surrounding the partial fraction expansion of the expression (1+jω)(3-jω)/(3+jω)(3-jω). The original poster incorrectly performed the expansion, leading to a discrepancy between their result and that from a calculator. It was clarified that the expression can be simplified directly to (1+jω)/(3+jω), which can be rewritten as 1 - 2/(3+jω), thus avoiding the need for complex partial fraction techniques. The importance of ensuring that the fraction is in proper form before applying partial fractions was emphasized, as improper fractions can lead to incorrect results. Understanding this principle will help in correctly applying partial fractions in future problems.
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I have: \frac{(1+j\omega)(3-j\omega)}{(3+j\omega)(3-j\omega)}

When I perform the partial fraction expansion I get:

\frac{-2}{3+j\omega}

Where my calculator gets:
1 - \frac{-2}{3+j\omega}.

Why am I wrong?

I am performing the expansion as follows:

\bar F(s) = \frac{(1+s)(3-s)}{(3+s)(3-s)}

and,
K_i = (s+p_i)\bar F (s) where: s = - p_i [/tex]<br /> <br /> note: p_i corresponds to 3 and -3 respectively. I am getting:<br /> K_1 = -2<br /> and K_2 = 0<br /> (this does not match my calculator.<br /> <br /> <br /> I am assuming simple poles. Is this not proper?<br /> <br /> thanks in advance!
 
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You don't even need to partial fraction this expression

\frac{(1+j\omega)(3-j\omega)}{(3+j\omega)(3-j\omega)}

The term (3-j\omega)/(3-j\omega)=1, so you're left with

\frac{(1+j\omega)}{(3+j\omega)}

Then rewrite this as

\frac{(1+j\omega)}{(3+j\omega)} = \frac{(3+j\omega - 2)}{(3+j\omega)} = 1 - \frac{2}{3+j\omega}
 
Well I like what you did, that is nice way of doing it.

My original term was:
\frac{1+jw}{3+jw}

I then multiplied by:
\frac{3-jw}{3-jw} = 1

and was trying to expand it as such.

Is there a reason why this method does not work (in this case)?

I want to know how to generalize it. The original expression, written as: \frac{1+jw}{3+jw} does not match my transform table, so I wanted to express it differently. I'll definitely remember the way you showed me for similar expressions, but in general I should be applying partial fractions... so why didn't it work here?

thanks man, I do appreciate it
 
??jpr0 did use "partial fractions", he just didn't make it overly complicated by introducing new factors into the numerator and denominator. The technique of "partial fractions" assumes you have already reduced the numerator and denominator as much as possible. For example, if you applied partial fractions to
\frac{x^2- 5x+3}{x-2}
you would get similarly incorrect results- first do the division to to get a "proper" fraction.
 
HallsofIvy said:
??jpr0 did use "partial fractions", he just didn't make it overly complicated by introducing new factors into the numerator and denominator. The technique of "partial fractions" assumes you have already reduced the numerator and denominator as much as possible. For example, if you applied partial fractions to
\frac{x^2- 5x+3}{x-2}
you would get similarly incorrect results- first do the division to to get a "proper" fraction.

Gotchya'. I wasn't trying to be overly complicated, I was just applying the technique (blindly in this case) that I remembered. I didn't know that it had to be a "proper" fraction first. Thanks halls! That clears it up.
 
I know you weren't trying to be- but sometimes it just happens!
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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