Method of Partial Fractions: Review

P( x)
A rational function , with degree of P < degree of Q,
Q( x)
can be written as partial fractions as follows:

1. Factorise Q as far as possible.

2. Decompose P/ Q into simpler fractions (see slide 2):
 For each factor (x – a)n in Q, write fractions
A1 A2 An
  ... 
x  a ( x  a) 2
( x  a) n
 For each factor (x2 + bx + c)n in Q which has no real
roots, write fractions
B1 x  C1 B2 x  C 2 Bn x  C n
 2  ...  2
x  bx  c ( x  bx  c)
2 2
( x  bx  c) n
3. Find the constants A, B, C, etc. (see slides 3 & 4)
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Examples of Step 2

Factorized form of P/Q Partial Fractions

1 A B
( x  1)( x  3) 
x 1 x  3
x2  3 A B C
 
x( x  4)( x  1) x x  4 x 1
x 1 A B C
 
x( x  1)2 x x  1 ( x  1)2
2x 1 A Bx  C
 2
( x  1)( x 2  2) x 1 x  2
x 1 Ax  B Cx  D
 2
( x 2  2)2 x  2 ( x  2)2
2

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Example Write
x4 in terms of partial fractions.
x  5x  6
2

We factorise the denominator and write partial fractions:

x4 x4 A B
  
x  5 x  6 ( x  2)( x  3) x  2 x  3
2

To find constants A and B, add the partial fractions

together and equate with the original expression:
x4 A( x  3)  B( x  2)

( x  2)( x  3) ( x  2)( x  3)

We need the numerators of the two sides to be equal,

i.e. we require x  4  A( x  3)  B( x  2) for all x. (*)

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 x  4  A( x  3)  B( x  2) x (*)
From (*), we can find A and B by one of two methods.
Method 1
Equate coefficients of xn on the two sides of the equation.
Expand out: x + 4 = (A+B) x + (–3A –2B)
Coefficients of x: 1 = A+B
Constants: 4 = –3A –2B
Solving these simultaneous equations gives A = -6, B = 7.
Method 2 (often quicker!)
Substitute particular values of x into (*)
E.g., x = 3 gives 7 = 0 + B
x = 2 gives 6 = –A + 0
Using these values of A, B we have:
x4 6 7
 
x  5x  6 x  2 x  3
2
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