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ONDEREAL’s F.I.R.S.T. solution to partial fractions
Example 2 - 21
In the given partial fraction decomposition:
20𝑥 + 7𝑥 + 42𝑥 + 16 𝐴 𝐵 𝐶𝑥 + 𝐷
= + + .
𝑥(3𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 + 4) 𝑥 3𝑥 + 2 𝑥 + 4
solve for B.
Choices: A. 2 B. 3 C. 4 D. 5

Solution:
The conventional approach to solving the numerator of the partial fraction
associated with the linear factor 3𝑥 + 2 is as follows:

1. Multiply both sides of the equation by the denominator of the original

fraction, which is 𝑥(3𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 + 4).

20𝑥 + 7𝑥 + 42𝑥 + 16 = 𝐴(3𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 + 4)

+𝐵𝑥(𝑥 + 4) + (𝐶𝑥 + 𝐷)𝑥(3𝑥 + 2)

2. Letting 3𝑥 + 2 = 0, or 𝑥 = −2/3, enables us to solve for the numerator of

the partial fraction 𝐵/(3𝑥 + 2). This value causes the terms involving 𝐴 and
𝐶𝑥 + 𝐷 to become zero, thereby eliminating them from the equation and
leaving 𝐵 as the sole remaining variable.

20 − +7 − + 42 − + 16 = 𝐴(0) − +4

+𝐵 − − +4 + 𝐶 − +𝐷 − (0)

3. Evaluate and simplify both sides:

400 80
− =− 𝐵
27 27
4. Solve for B.
−400/27
𝐵= =5
−80/27

If we choose to multiply the equation by the linear factor (3𝑥 + 2) instead of the
entire denominator, the procedure remains unchanged. The second term on the
right side of the equation becomes 𝐵 alone, while the other terms are multiplied by
(3𝑥 + 2), resulting in them becoming zero when 𝑥 = −2/3 . As a result, the value
of 𝐵 is equivalent to the remaining expression on the left side of the equation when
𝑥 is substituted with -2/3.

That is,
27 Chapter 02 Techniques in Algebra
2 2 2
20 − +7 − + 42 − + 16
𝐵= 3 3 3 =5
2 2
− − +4
3 3

Hence, there is no need to adhere to the conventional procedure. The linear factor
can be removed from the original fraction, and the fraction can be computed by
substituting the root of the eliminated linear factor for 𝑥. This method is referred
to as Ondereal’s F.I.R.S.T. solution to partial fractions.

F.I.R.S.T. stands for "Factor Isolation and Root Substitution Technique." In the
context of partial fraction decomposition, it outlines the key steps involved in the
method:
 Factor Isolation: Identify and isolate a linear factor in the original fraction.
 Root Substitution: Substitute the roots of the isolated factor back into the
remaining fraction.
The resulting value corresponds to the numerator of the partial fraction associated
with the isolated linear factor.

To solve the numerator of the associated partial fraction corresponding to the

linear factor (2𝑥 + 3), perform the following.

Factor Isolation: Let’s isolate the linear factor (2𝑥 + 3) by removing it from the
original fraction. The remaining fraction is:
20𝑥 + 7𝑥 + 42𝑥 + 16
𝑥(𝑥 + 4)

Root substitution: Substitute the root of 2𝑥 + 3 = 0, which is 𝑥 = −3/2, into the

remaining fraction.

Input the fraction:

Press and input the root of 3𝑥 + 2 = 0, which is 𝑥 = −2/3.

That's it! 𝐵 = 5.
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In a similar manner, you can determine the value of 𝐴 by evaluating the expression
20𝑥 + 7𝑥 + 42𝑥 + 16
with 𝑥 = 0.
(3𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 + 4)

𝐴=

Example 2 - 22
From the given expansion of partial fractions, determine the value of A.
2𝑥 + 3𝑥 + 7𝑥 + 10𝑥 + 10 𝐴 𝐵𝑥 + 𝐶 𝐷𝑥 + 𝐸
= + + .
(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 3) 𝑥 − 1 𝑥 + 3 (𝑥 + 3)
Choices: A. 2 B. 3 C. 4 D. 6
Solution:
The root of 𝑥 − 1 = 0 is 𝑥 = 1, therefore
2𝑥 + 3𝑥 + 7𝑥 + 10𝑥 + 10
𝐴= with 𝑥 = 1.
(𝑥 + 3)

Input the expression:

A=

Example 2 - 23
Solve for A and B in the given partial fraction decomposition.

13𝑥 − 17𝑥 − 19𝑥 + 8 𝐴 𝐵 𝐶𝑥 + 𝐷

= + +
(𝑥 + 2)(2𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 2) 𝑥 + 2 2𝑥 − 3 𝑥 + 2
Solution:

To find the value of A, isolate the factor (𝑥 + 2) from the original fraction.
Substitute the root of the isolated factor (𝑥 = −2) into the remaining fraction and
evaluate.

(Input the displayed expression)

29 Chapter 02 Techniques in Algebra

𝐴=3

Similarly, to solve for B, remove the linear factor (2𝑥 − 3) and evaluate the
remaining fraction by substituting 𝑥 = 3/2.

(Input the displayed expression)

𝐵 = −1

This method may also be used to solve the numerators of the associated partial
fractions that corresponds to a repeating linear factor.

Example 2 - 24
Solve for the values of A and B in the given partial fraction decomposition:
7𝑥 + 22𝑥 + 7𝑥 − 16 𝐴 𝐵 𝐶𝑥 + 𝐷
= + +
(𝑥 + 2) (𝑥 + 𝑥 − 3) 𝑥+2 (𝑥 + 2) 𝑥 +𝑥−3
Solution:
If we multiply both sides by (𝑥 + 2) , the equation becomes
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7𝑥 + 22𝑥 + 7𝑥 − 16 𝐴 𝐵 𝐶𝑥 + 𝐷
= (𝑥 + 2) + (𝑥 + 2) + (𝑥 + 2)
(𝑥 + 𝑥 − 3) 𝑥+2 (𝑥 + 2) 𝑥 +𝑥−3
Simplifying further:
7𝑥 + 22𝑥 + 7𝑥 − 16 𝐶𝑥 + 𝐷
= 𝐴(𝑥 + 2) + 𝐵 + (𝑥 + 2)
(𝑥 + 𝑥 − 3) 𝑥 +𝑥−3

Making 𝑥 + 2 = 0 will make the first term 𝐴(𝑥 + 2) = 0, and the third term
(𝑥 + 2) = 0. Thus, the value of B is equal to with 𝑥 + 2 =
( )
0 or 𝑥 = −2.

Input the fraction

𝐵 = −2 (store this to memory B)

Now, if we multiply both sides by (𝑥 + 2), the equation becomes:

7𝑥 + 22𝑥 + 7𝑥 − 16 𝐵 𝐶𝑥 + 𝐷
=𝐴+ + (𝑥 + 2)
(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 + 𝑥 − 3) 𝑥+2 𝑥 +𝑥−3
Solving for 𝐴,
7𝑥 + 22𝑥 + 7𝑥 − 16 𝐵 𝐶𝑥 + 𝐷
𝐴= − + (𝑥 + 2)
(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 + 𝑥 − 3) 𝑥+2 𝑥 +𝑥−3

Making 𝑥 + 2 ≈ 0 (almost equal to zero) makes the term (𝑥 + 2) ≈ 0. Doing

this makes us able to just ignore that term and thus the value (approximate value)
of A is
7𝑥 + 22𝑥 + 7𝑥 − 16 𝐵
𝐴= −
(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 + 𝑥 − 3) 𝑥+2
with 𝑥 ≈ −2 (approximately equal to -2).

Input:

.
31 Chapter 02 Techniques in Algebra

𝑨≈

𝐴=3

The SHIFT-SOLVE function

This function is highly favored by engineering students as it provides a method to solve
algebraic equations with a single unknown. It allows us to find solutions efficiently and
effectively.

Solving a linear equation

Example 2 - 25
Solve for 𝑥:
2𝑥 + 5 𝑥 − 7 3𝑥 + 1
+ =
5 2 2
Solution:

Key in operation Display