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Worked solution

Find partial fractions and integrate each term

(i) Express 4+x(1−x)(4+x2)\dfrac{4+x}{(1-x)(4+x^2)} in partial fractions. marks

(ii) Hence find ∫4+x(1−x)(4+x2) dx\displaystyle\int\dfrac{4+x}{(1-x)(4+x^2)}\,dx. marks

[2016/DHS/I/6(b)]

CJC · Review Problems · Question 14

Answer

(i) 1/(1−x)+x/(4+x2)1/(1-x)+x/(4+x^2); (ii) −ln⁡∣1−x∣+12ln⁡(x2+4)+C-\ln|1-x|+\frac12\ln(x^2+4)+C.

(i)

Write 4+x(1−x)(4+x2)=A1−x+Bx+C4+x2\dfrac{4+x}{(1-x)(4+x^2)}=\dfrac A{1-x}+\dfrac{Bx+C}{4+x^2}. Then A(4+x2)+(Bx+C)(1−x)=4+xA(4+x^2)+(Bx+C)(1-x)=4+x. Substitution x=1x=1 gives A=1A=1; comparing x² gives B=1B=1, and comparing constants gives C=0C=0. Thus the decomposition is 11−x+x4+x2\dfrac1{1-x}+\dfrac x{4+x^2}.

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(ii)

Integrate the two fractions: ∫11−xdx+∫x4+x2dx=−ln⁡∣1−x∣+12ln⁡(x2+4)+C\int\dfrac1{1-x}dx+\int\dfrac x{4+x^2}dx=-\ln|1-x|+\frac12\ln(x^2+4)+C.

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Common mistakes

The 1−x factor supplies a negative sign when integrated.

Read the hint