8.1 After working through this chapter you % decompose a single fraction into part should be able to ial fractions, 4 2 1 6x? ~ 3x~13 @+1%@=3) As with many techniques in mathematics, it is often useful to be able to reverse the Process. When the denominator of an algebraic fraction can be factorised, itis Possible to rewrite the fraction as a sum of fractions with simpler denominators. The process of splitting into partial fractions involves starting with an expression such as += x+1'x—3 (&+1P — 6x? 3x13 noe IP@—3) and finding the three fractions with simpler denominators whose sum is f(x); in this case 4,2 Sena 1 «+ i i i it i i i be proper, ie. the Note Algebraic fractions which may be split into partial fractions must be proper humerator must be of lower degree than the denominator, (Improper fractions are discussed on page 185.) Each of the partial fractions is also proper. ' . . inators The factors of the denominator of the fraction to be split ate posible dnoninat for the partial fractions, Two different cases are considered separately: ™ Denominator having distinct linear factors ™ Denominator containing a repeated linear factor. 2 The CD-ROM (E8.1.1) considers denominators containing a quadratic factor. Scanned with CamScannernple 1 ins: Denom ator with Finding 1 frac a distinct finear factors nly used for finding partial fractions are illustrated here mmo Three different methods co! 1d 2) m Substitution method (Examples 1 and 2) (Example 3) a Equating coefficients ( set ple 4) The ‘cover-up’ method (Exam in partial fractions. factions wil be ofthe fer cA a and 2 KHT x42 “where A and B are consta Expres Gt etd ice the equivalence Sgn since ts” jentity i$ true forall values of x” eee @FDE+2) ee} AGH D+ BED Geet) + NET) (x +2) + B(x +1) Then xt Putting x = -1in@ -143=A(-1+2) +0 2=A Putting x = -2 in@ ~243=04 B(-2+1) = LMS. net co A ak chek can be made by substituting a value of x Cather than thes” in both sides, For instance when x =: 1 Luis 143 4.2 yrds? Rus = 2-1 LUIS = RIS, but this a T+2 cons! sical” whether the partial fr nin is not a rigorous check and only offers a! ‘Actions are correct, Scanned with CamScanner+ gxample : Example 3 ‘The expression obtained by equating the numerators is both sides of © by the denominator, (x + IY +2), the denominator, is used in subsequent examples Exons a -. in partial fractions, x+4 L x+4 T=x-2x? (1 -2x)(1 4) x+4 4 B = +L dk ltx Let (Ta) . x44 = A(1 +3) +4 BU -2x) ® Putting x = -1 in@ —1+4=0+ Bl -2(-1)) 3=3B B=1 Putting x= 4 in © $4+4= (144) = A) A=3 x+4 3 equivalent to multiplying This method, of multiplying by Factorise the denominator. Distinct linea ioe it denomintor Mulpiy both sides by (= 2Xh ex) The idetty hols fe al valves of x, so substitute a val.e which ‘makes the factor (z+ 1) zer0, fake ir wit fag 12) mo. heck: nay be pose to = ‘tollect the terms’ mentally and thes ‘yen ‘espeton. In this example, the coefficients of powers of x are equated. te SF Rewrit rtial fractions. te Sar cy it arta 6x41 A B (2x=3)3x—2) 2-3 6x+ 1 = AGx - 2) + BQ2x- 3) Equating coefficients of x terms 3x 6=34408 DO Equating constant terms 1=-24-32 @ Ox2 12564442 o, Ox3 J=-64-98 @ %+@ 15550 2 B=-3 < Muiply Bot ides by G2 Iya ‘The method of iubstitition would Jnvolve fractional values of x, 59° “paating, coeMisients is pelerable, Eqsta Scanned with CamScannerNote Example 4 substituting in O 6=34-6 GATE Bay finds Bae far only two fractions, yon the solutio by ioxpecion ta eam The ‘cover-up istinct linear factor’: i d with a fin a the LHS denominator is covere os To find A, the (= 4) Factor Oh AC ion is evaluated using x = 4, the value which maining visible part of ed u aioe ye denominator for A, equal to 0. This gives = (cover-up)($ +2) Ignoring the ‘cover-up’ factor, the value of this term is — which gives Ae 6 Similarly, to find B, factor (x ) is covered and the fraction x-7 («= 4)(cover-up) is evaluated with x = 2, giving —ts7 (2= 4)(cover-up) a=_3 . ~6 2 * original fraction can n 1ow be writ x-7 i So in partial fractions as =n = 1 ti (~ 4x42) Wey is result may be : “hesked by combining the fractions on the RHS. Scanned with CamScannerSx?+3x4+4 . | ple 5 Express SF 1a + ox — 2) °* * 8 OF Partial fractions, Sx2+3x+4 =_4 +2 Pea ne —Setet4 a,c hip both lt y+ NE-D + Geen Ey he LR coset Then Set Bet 4s AOE + NG 2)4 Ble + Die ~2)4. Cee 4 DEEN) 5 Putting x = 2 in © 20+6+4=15C 30=15C =2 Terms containing factor (x 2) become 2er0, Putting x =—1 in® $-3+4=34 ‘Terms containing factor (x + 1) become zero, 6=34 A=2 Equating coefficients of x? in @ S=2A+B+2C S=44B44 B=-3 SP 43x44 Alterndtively, substitute x = J in © to make the factor (2x +1) zero: ae Finding partial fractions: Denominator with a repeated linear factor The previous examples have shown thit when the denominator of a fraction has two factors there are two partial fractions and when the denominator has three factors there are three partial fractions. Consider the fraction 4% = 3x42. (e+ = 2)" 3 The denominator contains the ‘repeated linear factor’ (x — 2)’. From the work above, we would expect this fraction to split into three partial fractions, TWo of thet are clearly 4 and —!1 and it can be shown that the thid is c xt xa Le Scanned with CamScanner m1contains a repeated linear factor in th | Note Where the fraction to be alt come with constant numerator. This ‘se find ones be rk in binomial expansions and in integration (se cant for more ae ari a fraction with, for example, (x ~ ¢P in the en) nd 2 se we patil WB a ions with constant numerators: i, ere wil (: Example 6 Express as the sum of partial fractions Axia 3e+2 “Fraciion wii denon + De-2) ooh a cae . 4x2 3x42 — Solution Let ———~— a5 = @+he-y stl - 2 r= a Sete? = [ater aay] ete xt 3x 425 A(x— 27+ Bx DOX-2+CH Putting x = 2in@ 16-6+2=C(2+1) 12=3C | cas Putting x = -1 in® 44342=94 9=94 A=1 j Equating coefficients of x? in @ 4=A+B B=} Check by looking at the coefficients of x on RHS of © ~44-B4+C=-4-344 2-3 as required, 4x2 — 3x So +204 3 (+ DG -2) “stl 3-3t ee. i | | | h Ea cy Scanned with CamScannerimple 7 #in partial fractions for improper fractions Finding ction has the degree of the numerator equal to or higher than that of the denominator. Before expressing an improper fraction in partial fractions, it is Givided to give a quotient and remainder. Then the remainder, which is a proper fraction, is dealt with as in the preceding examples. ‘Animproper fra In this example, the degree of the numerator and denominator are both two. It is an improper fraction. 2x45 F ; Express —————— iin partial fractions. mes Gaeta 2 2 - — _2xt+5 Dh t5 ‘Multpiy out the denominator (x 4xe+2) x?-2x-8 incé division will-be required. ~ 2_2x- — a - Ula Heder 2h “Use long division or the xt?-2x-8 ‘method shown heres" = 24—et2t ‘Wiig as quodent and remai xt=2x-8 ‘the remainder is a proper fractio: Let 4x+21 4x421 xi—2x-8 (x —4)(x +2) B Sy-4*xs2 4x+21 = Ae +2) + Bx—4) Putting x=4 in@ 16+21 = 6A Ast 6 Putting x= -2 in -84+21= 2x? +5 sicmember'tt k 37 entities 0042 tH Or 2) 185 Scanned with CamScannerExample 8 ‘Since the fracting a Aen iy Tx? 8x1 ” tad ee ae ‘This time the method of long Aig, sete na, MA Qi th rey So x + 7 Factotin the teermay Split the remainder into pail fain Use coverup matted wi rat Use cover-up method wit ra. QZ The CD-ROM (E8.1.2 and 8.1.3) shows how to find partial fractions for tie= degree denominators and how to use partial fractions to find the sums of ee" types of series. Exercise 8A 1 Rewrite these as partial fractions. 1-2 b 2a 4 ie xa+1) x@x— 1 dc 2x41 x-1 9 Ue fst 9 _ foe gp 4x2 3e—Tx+i0 9 Sat ae 2 Express these as the sum of partial f-actions, 2 3 xt pet ob _tetsSe-9 _, __Stt | (+2) N=3), en + DE 3x2 -4x-1 9-3 2 then) =Ww-6 gy meena “ee Sarnes! a=9e-" 3 Express these in partial fractions, x41 28-s xt 20eoH b See7 43 G-De-n f er wren? do BASE +8 (l= x) G41) 1 ay pet Ox? 4 11x — 15 ees a) Dera ' Gre Scanned with CamScannerExpress these in terms of a quotient and remainder i psoas in the form of partial x xt a b = 2x2 43 x i 2 x1 cay x43 2 a e — =! _ 22 42x? - 2042 x(xt 1) (x+1)(e-2) e-De+3) 9 py ib 2x? = 4x? = de +2 (*-2)(%+3) Express these in partial fractions. 3x? - 21x +24 4x2 4x41 a 5x2 +2 @&+D)@-2)(%-3) x(x? — 1) x41) e41)" x . xt 25 — x? (@&—-D)e+) Express these in partial fractions. 3x+7 b 3 fe 68+ 11x x(x +2)(x- 1) x(x +2) @+x)(16- x?) gq 22439412 axd +x? -3xt1 (Q2x+ I(x - 3) 2x? —3x—2 Express each of these in partial fractions. 2(5 — 2x) b -— « et G+0G-9 Rix 4 @-D)e-9 3x24 5x44 3x2+9x+4 4 apnelparsy ° GDE+ Express each of these in terms of 8 quotient and remainder in the form of artial fractions. partial fractions. ay? ¢ 12x 2x8 Bede-1 eagetcdeo le Saeed en b —rypax-4 +26 ynsion exercise” (Ext8) on the There is a ‘Test yourself, exercise (Ty8) and an “Ext! CD-ROM. 7 Scanned with CamScanner