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Worked solution

Compare partial fractions with a split numerator

Find ∫x+19−x2 dx\int\frac{x+1}{9-x^2}\,dx.

CJC · Lecture · Example 10

Method 1: partial fractions

x+1(3−x)(3+x)=A3−x+B3+x\frac{x+1}{(3-x)(3+x)}=\frac A{3-x}+\frac B{3+x} gives x+1=A(3+x)+B(3−x)x+1=A(3+x)+B(3-x). At x=3x=3, A=2/3A=2/3; at x=−3x=-3, B=−1/3B=-1/3. Thus the integral is ∫23(3−x) dx−∫13(3+x) dx=−23ln⁡∣3−x∣−13ln⁡∣3+x∣+C\int\frac2{3(3-x)}\,dx-\int\frac1{3(3+x)}\,dx=-\frac23\ln|3-x|-\frac13\ln|3+x|+C.

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Method 2: split the numerator

The derivative of 9−x29-x^2 is −2x-2x. Write the integral as −12∫−2(x+1)9−x2 dx=−12∫−2x9−x2 dx+∫132−x2 dx=−12ln⁡∣9−x2∣+16ln⁡∣3+x3−x∣+C-\frac12\int\frac{-2(x+1)}{9-x^2}\,dx=-\frac12\int\frac{-2x}{9-x^2}\,dx+\int\frac1{3^2-x^2}\,dx=-\frac12\ln|9-x^2|+\frac16\ln\left|\frac{3+x}{3-x}\right|+C.

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Show the answers agree

The lecturer note emphasises that the different expressions are equivalent. Use 9−x2=(3−x)(3+x)9-x^2=(3-x)(3+x): the second answer becomes −12ln⁡∣3−x∣−12ln⁡∣3+x∣+16ln⁡∣3+x∣−16ln⁡∣3−x∣+C=−23ln⁡∣3−x∣−13ln⁡∣3+x∣+C-\frac12\ln|3-x|-\frac12\ln|3+x|+\frac16\ln|3+x|-\frac16\ln|3-x|+C=-\frac23\ln|3-x|-\frac13\ln|3+x|+C. Both hold on intervals excluding x=±3x=\pm3.

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Common mistakes

A derivative sign from 3−x is essential. Keep moduli when applying logarithm product and quotient laws.

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