Partial Fractions: Working with Laplace Transforms & Integration

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the application of partial fractions in the context of Laplace transforms and integration. Participants are exploring various methods to decompose fractions, particularly focusing on the challenges faced with algebraic manipulation and the use of complex numbers.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to utilize different methods for partial fraction decomposition, expressing frustration with algebraic skills and the complexity of certain approaches. Some participants suggest using specific setups for repeated roots and compare coefficients, while others discuss the implications of using complex numbers.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively sharing different methods and insights, with some offering guidance on how to set up equations and solve for coefficients. There is a recognition of the various approaches being explored, but no explicit consensus has been reached on the best method.

Contextual Notes

There are mentions of specific algebraic challenges and preferences for avoiding complex numbers due to grading concerns. The discussion also highlights the need for clarity on the conditions under which certain methods are applicable, such as the requirement for repeated roots.

Nubcakes
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
I've been working with Laplace Transforms and integration a lot lately. Many times I windup having to use partial fractions to solve the problem and frankly my algebra skills just aren't up to the task.

Take this fraction for example;
partfrac01Q.gif


I know 3 ways to do it... 1 of the ways doesn't work unless there is a repeated root. Another uses complex numbers which is absurdly messy. And finally, the last method I know rarely seems to work... or I just don't know what I am doing!

Using the repeated root to have a setup like this is easy;
partfrac01T1.gif


This way is pretty clean cut for most applications, but you need a repeated root for it to work.
I find the usage of complex numbers to work the best;
partfrac01T3.gif


But, my professors HATE me when I do this. It tends to make them dock extra points on petty mistakes, so if at all possible I want to avoiding using this method.
Finally, this is the method I want to learn to use better;
partfrac01T2.gif


I can OCCASIONALLY get this method to work when I set V = to i. I sometimes end up with an equation at the end like this;
# - #i = B(V) + Ci

And that is pretty easy to solve for the variables B and C. As you can see though, it just doesn't work here, or I am worse than I thought at algebra! Thank you for your time!~
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Nubcakes said:
Using the repeated root to have a setup like this is easy;
partfrac01T1.gif


This way is pretty clean cut for most applications, but you need a repeated root for it to work.

Well (v2+9) is not equal to (v-3)(v-3)
 
Nubcakes said:
Finally, this is the method I want to learn to use better;
partfrac01T2.gif


I can OCCASIONALLY get this method to work when I set V = to i. I sometimes end up with an equation at the end like this;
# - #i = B(V) + Ci

And that is pretty easy to solve for the variables B and C. As you can see though, it just doesn't work here, or I am worse than I thought at algebra! Thank you for your time!~

In this method use (Bv+C) in the numerator of the second half in RHS.
Then compare the coefficients.
 
Last edited:
\frac{4v+8}{(v-1)(v^2+9)}=\frac{A}{v-1}+\frac{Bv+C}{v^2+9}

4v+8=A(v^2+9)+(Bv+C)(v-1)

0*v^2+4v+8=v^2(A+B)+v(-B+C)+9A-C

Now solve for A,B,C and substitute in the first equation.

Regards.
 
Дьявол said:
\frac{4v+8}{(v-1)(v^2+9)}=\frac{A}{v-1}+\frac{Bv+C}{v^2+9}

4v+8=A(v^2+9)+(Bv+C)(v-1)

0*v^2+4v+8=v^2(A+B)+v(-B+C)+9A-C

Now solve for A,B,C and substitute in the first equation.

Regards.

Another way to solve for the coefficients is to pick values of v the make the expression simple and plug them in. In this case. choosing v=1 would make the 2nd term on the RHS of 4v+8=A(v^2+9)+(Bv+C)(v-1) zero and allow you to easily solve for A. Similarily, choosing v=3i would make the 1st term on the RHS zero, and you could then easily solve for B and C.
 
You can actually avoid having to solve any equations at all. Simply expand the function around all poles, keeping only the singular terms, and then add up all the expansions. The fact that the sum of the expansions is equal to the function is then a simple consequence of Liouville's theorem.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K