Partial Fractions Learning Objectives

Use partial fraction terminology Identify types of partial fractions Express complex looking algebraic equations in terms of two manageable terms

Terminology
The following definitions will help make this section clearer. Polynomial of degree n. If P(x) = anxn + an-1xn-1 + an-2xn-2 ++ a2x2 + a1x1 + a0 Where an,., a0 R Then P is a polynomial of degree n
Examples x + 3 has degree1, x2+4x+1 has degree 2, 3x4+ 6x2+ x+5 has degree 4. Constants such as 5 have degree 0.

Rational function If P(x) and Q(x) are polynomials then rational function.
P( x) Q ( x)

is called a

Proper rational function Let P(x) be a polynomial of degree n and Q(x) be a polynomial of degree m. P( x) If n < m then is a proper rational function.
Q ( x)

Improper rational function Let P(x) be a polynomial of degree n and Q(x) be a polynomial of degree m. P( x) If n m then is an improper rational function.
Q ( x)

Types of Partial Fractions

Putting fractions over a common denominator, for example,

x 2 x 1 2 x 3 1 1 x 1 x 2 x 1 x 2 x 1 x 2
The opposite process of expressing
2x 3 1 1 as x 1 x 2 x 1 x 2

Is a familiar process.

Is called putting a proper rational Function into partial fractions.

The process of taking a proper rational function and splitting it into separate terms each with a factor of the original denominator as its denominator is called expressing the function in partial fractions.

The way in which the rational function splits up depends on whether the denominator is a quadratic equation or a cubic equation and Whether it has linear, repeated linear or quadratic factors (with no real roots). Type 1
Linear or constant quadratic

Type 1a

A B x a x b x a x b

...

This has denominator of a quadratic with two distinct roots Example x5 Express as partial fractions 2

5x 6

Solution

x5 x5 2 x 5x 6 x 2 x 3
x5 A B Let x 2 x 3 x 2 x 3

1) Factorise the denominator

2) Identify the type of partial fraction

3) Obtain the fractions with a common denominator 4) Equate numerators since the denominators are equal. 5) Equate coefficients of powers of x 6) Solve equations simultaneously

A x 3 B x 2 x 2 x 3

x 5 A x 3 B x 2

1 A B
5 3 A 2B A 3 B 2 x5 3 2 2 x 5x 6 x 2 x 3

Type 1b

....

x a

A B x a x a 2

This has a denominator of a quadratic with repeated factors. Example Express 11 3x2 in partial fractions.

x 3
2

Solution
Let 11 3x

x 3

A B x 3 x 3 2
2

Step 2 notice step 1 not needed

A x 3 B

x 3

Step 3

11 3x A x 3 B Step 4 3 A Step 5: equating powers of x and constants 11 B 3 A

A 3, B 2

11 3x

x 3

3 A 2B x 3 x 3 2

Step 6