UNIT 3 – INTEGRATION TECHNIQUES

3.2.4. Integration by Partial fractions

This method of integration finds its use to integrate a rational algebraic fraction defined as a
( )
ratio of two polynomial expressions of the form ( )
where the degree of numerator ( )is

less than the degree of the denominator ( ) The

fraction must also be an irreducible fraction where both numerator and denominator have no
( )
common factor. If ( )
is an improper fraction where the degree of ( )is equal or greater

than that of ( ), it must first be reduced to a mixed expression consisting of a polynomial

and a proper fraction. To evaluate an integral using this method, it is necessary to express or
to decompose the proper, irreducible fraction as a sum of simple fractions called partial
fractions. This is the reason why the method is also called integration by partial fractions.
After the denominator ( ) has been completely factored into products of linear and
( )
quadratic factors, the method of decomposing ( )
depends on the nature of these factors. We

will consider four cases here.

Case (1). The factor of ( ) is linear, not repeated

In this case, ( ) ( )( ) ( ), where none of the factors are identical.
( )
We express ( )
, where are constants that are to be

evaluated.

Example 20. Evaluate ∫ .

Solution: Decompose the integrand into partial fractions.

( )( )

Multiply both sides of the above equation by the LCD: ( )( ) to eliminate the
denominators. Hence, we get
( ) ( )
The above equation is satisfied by all values of Two methods will be presented to determine
value of constants and
Method 1. Method of Substitution
In this method, we assign values of x as many as there are constants to be determined. This
usually resulted to a system of equations that needs to be solved simultaneously using elimination

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by addition/subtraction or by using substitution. However, with intelligent choice of the assigned

values, solving simultaneously a system of equations can be avoided.
When ( )
( )

When ( )
( )

Method 2. Method of Equating the Coefficients

In this method, we equate the numerical coefficients of the same powers of the variable
appearing on both sides of the equation.
( ) ( )

Equating coefficients of ……………….. (1)

Equating the constants: ………..(2)
From (1),
Substitute in (2). ( )

It follows that

Hence, ∫ ∫* + | | | |

( )
Example 21. Evaluate ∫ ( )( )( )
.

Solution: Decompose the given fraction to a sum of partial fraction

( )
( )( )( )
( ) ( )( ) ( )( ) ( )( )
( )( )( ) ( )( )( )
( )( ) ( )( ) ( )( )
Use Substitution Method to determine the constants.
When ( )( ) When ( )( ) When ( )( )

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∫ ∫[ ]

[ | | | | | |]

[ | | | | | |] [ | | | | | |]

| | | | | | | | | |

( * ( *

[ ]

Case (2). The factor of ( ) is linear, repeated

Suppose linear factor ( ) appears as a factor of ( ), then, there corresponds to
this factor a sum of partial fractions of the form

( ) ( ) ( )
where are constants to be evaluated.

( )
Example 22. Evaluate ∫ ( )
.

Solution: Decompose the integrand into partial fractions considering that one factor ( ) is
linear that is not repeated (Case 1) and the other factor is also linear but repeated twice (Case 2).

( )

Solve for the constants by first eliminating the denominators of the fractions.
( ) ( )
When ( )
When ( )
Equating coefficients of

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Thus, the integral is reduced to

( ) ( )
∫ ( )
∫* + | | | |

[ ( ) ]

| |

( )
Example 23. Evaluate ∫ ( )
.

Solution: Since the given integrand is a rational but improper fraction, we need to reduce it to a
sum of a polynomial and a proper fraction before using integration by partial fractions method.
Take note that the linear factor ( ) appears twice as a factor of the denominator (Case 2).
( )
( ) ( )

Resolve the proper, irreducible fraction ( )

to a sum of the corresponding partila fractions.

( ) ( )

( )
When
When ( )

( )
Therefore, the integral ∫ ( )
∫ * ( )
+
( )
| | * +

[ | | ]

* + [ ]

( )
Example 24. Evaluate ∫

Solution: By synthetic division, the factors of ( ) are ( )( ) .

Hence, to decompose the integrand to a sum of partial fractions:

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( )( ) ( )

( ) ( )( ) ( )
When ( )

When ( )

When ( ) ( )( ) ( )( )

( )
Therefore, ∫ ∫ * ( )
+

( )
[ ( ) [ ]]

[ ]

Case (3). The factor of ( ) is quadratic, not repeated

For every irreducible quadratic factor ( )
( )
of a proper rational fraction, there corresponds a single partial fraction of the form ,

where are constants to be determined using any of or a combination of the two

methods previously discussed. Observe that the derivative of the quadratic factor is
multiplied to constant . Later, you will find that this is done to complete the needed to be

able to use Formula ∫ | |

Example 25. Evaluate ∫ ( )( )

Solution: Take note that the integrand is an improper fraction. Reduce it to a sum of a
polynomial and a proper fraction.

( )( ) ( )( )

Decompose the proper fraction to a sum of corresponding partial fractions

( )
( )( )

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( ) ( )
When ( )

When

Equating coefficients: ( )

⁄
( )
Therefore, ∫ ( )( )
[ ]

( ) | | ( )( )

( ) | |

( )
Example 26. Evaluate ∫

Solution: Decompose the integrand to a sum of corresponding partial fractions.

( ) ( )

( )( ) ( )( ) ( )( ) ( )( )
( ) ( ) ( )( ) ( )( )

When ( )( )

When ( )( )

When ( )( ) ( )( )( ) ( )( )

Equating coefficients:

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( ) ( )
Therefore, ∫ ∫ [ ]

[ | | ( ) ( )]

√
[ ( )( √ ] [ ( )√ ]

Example 27. Evaluate ∫ .

Solution: The integrand is an improper fraction. Reduce it to a sum of polynomial and a

proper fraction.

Moreover, the denominator is factored by the method of adding and subtracting perfect
square to form a difference of two squares.
( ) ( )
( )
[ ][ ]
Decompose now the integrand to a sum of partial fractions.
( ) ( )
( )( )
( )( ) ( ) ( )( ) (
)
( ) ( ) ( ) ( )

Equating coefficients:
( )
Equating coefficients: ( )
Equating x coefficients: ( )
Equating the constants: ( )
From (1): ( ’)
(2) + (3): ( )
(3) + (4): ( )
Substitute (5) in (6): ( )
( )
S ( ’) ( ) ( )

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Substitute ⁄ ( ’)

Substitute ⁄ in (5):

Substitute all the above values in (4): ( )

( ) ( )
∫ ∫ [ ]

( ) ( )
∫[ ]

( ) ( )
∫[ ]
( ) ( )

[ ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ]
√ √ √ √

* ( ) √ + * ( )+
√ √ √ √ √ √ √

( ) ( ) ( ) [ ( ) ( )]
√ √ √ √

Case (4). The factor of ( ) is quadratic, repeated

For every irreducible quadratic factor
( ) of a proper rational fraction,
there corresponds a sum of partial fraction of the form
( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
( ) ( ) ( )

Where tha are constants whose values are to be determined.

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( )
Example 28. Evaluate∫ ( )
.

Solution: Decompose the integrand to equivalent sum of corresponding partial fractions.

( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
( ) ( ) ( )

( ) ( )

Equating coefficients:
Equating coefficients:
Equating x coefficients:
( )

Equating the constants:

( )

( ) ( )
Thus, ∫ ( )
∫* ( )
+

( )
| | [ ]

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SAQ17

NAME: ____________________________________________________ SCORE: ______________

SECTION: ___________DATE: _______________ PROF: __________________________________

Find the indefinite integrals using the integration by partial fractions method.

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UNIT 3 – INTEGRATION TECHNIQUES

∫
( )( )( )

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UNIT 3 – INTEGRATION TECHNIQUES

SAQ18

NAME: ____________________________________________________ SCORE: ______________

SECTION: ___________DATE: _______________ PROF: __________________________________

Evaluate the following using integration by partial fractions.

∫
( )( )

∫
( )( )

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UNIT 3 – INTEGRATION TECHNIQUES

∫
( )

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UNIT 3 – INTEGRATION TECHNIQUES

∫
( )( )

∫
( ) ( )

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UNIT 3 – INTEGRATION TECHNIQUES

ACTIVITY 3.2

NAME: ____________________________________________________ SCORE: ______________

SECTION: ___________DATE: _______________ PROF: __________________________________

Evaluate the following using integration by partial fractions.

∫
( )( )

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UNIT 3 – INTEGRATION TECHNIQUES

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UNIT 3 – INTEGRATION TECHNIQUES

∫
( )

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UNIT 3 – INTEGRATION TECHNIQUES

ANSWERS TO SAQ17

1. | | | |

2. | | | | | |

3. | | | |

4. | | | |

5. | | | |

6. | | | | | |

ANSWERS TO SAQ18

1. | | | | ( )

2. | | | |
( )

3. | | | | ( )

4. | | ( )

5. | | | |

6. | | ( )
| | ( )

ANSWERS TO ACTIVITY 3.2

1. | | | | ( )

2. | | | | ( )

3. | | ( )
| | ( )

4. | | | | ( )
√ √
( )
5. * +

6. | | | | | | | |

Integral Calculus Module 10 – Integration by Partial Fractions Page 131