1.

4 PARTIAL FRACTION

1.4: INTEGRATING RATIONAL FUNCTION BY PARTIAL FRACTIONS

Any integration involving rational function (a ratio of polynomial) by expressing it as a sum of simpler
fractions, called partial fraction, that already know to integrate.

1.4.1: Linear Factors

Case where the denominator is composed of linear factors.

Linear Factor Rule:

P x 
For each factor of the form ax  b m , the partial fraction decomposition of contains the
Q x 
following sum of m partial fractions:
P x  P x  A1 A2 A3 Am
     '
Qx  ax  b  m ax  b ax  b 2
ax  b 3
ax  b m
where 𝐴1 , 𝐴2 , ..., 𝐴𝑚 are constants to be determined.

x
dx
Example 1: Evaluate 2
 x 2

Solution:

2x  4
Example 2: Evaluate
x 3
 2x 2
dx

Solution:
 1.4 PARTIAL FRACTION

2x 2  5 x  7
Example 3: Evaluate
 x  2 x  1 2
dx

1.4.2: Quadratic Factors

Quadratic factor rule:

P x 

For each factor of the form ax 2  bx  c  m
, the partial fraction decomposition of
Q x 
contains

the following sum of m partial fractions:

P x  P x  A1x  B1 A2 x  B2 A3 x  B3 Am x  Bm
       '
  
Qx  ax 2  ax  b m ax 2  ax  b ax 2  ax  b 2 ax  ax  b
2 3
  ax  ax  b
2

m
 
where𝐴1 , 𝐴2 , … 𝐴𝑚 , 𝐵1 , 𝐵2 , … 𝐵𝑚 are constants to be determined.

x2  x  4
Example 4: Evaluate
 3x 3
 x 2  3x  1
dx

Solution:
 1.4 PARTIAL FRACTION

1.4.3: Improper Rational Fractions

P x 
Involving rational functions where
Q x 

the degree of 𝑷(𝒙) > degree of 𝑸(𝒙).

Method of solving:
P x  P x 
 h x   where h x  is the quotient and r is the
r
o Write as:
Q x  Q x  Q x 

remainder.
o By dividing P x  by Q x  using long division method.

3x 4  3x 3  5x 2  x  1
Example 5: Evaluate
 x2  x  2
dx .

Solution: