Worked solution
Partial fractions and derivative matching
Find the following integrals:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f) .
CJC · Discussion · Question 5
Answer
(a) .
(b) .
(c) .
(d) .
(e) .
(f) .
(a)
Factor the denominator as and write . Then . At x=3, A=3/4; at x=−1, B=1/4. Integrate these two simple fractions.
The integral is .
(b)
Write . Clearing denominators gives . The source uses y=0,2,1 to obtain B=−1/2, C=1/4, A=−1/4. Thus integrate . This gives , which combines as stated.
The integral is .
(c)
Write . From , inputs x=2,0,1 give C=1/7, B=−3/7, A=−1/7. The integrand becomes . Split and complete the square . Integrate the derivative term as a logarithm, the remainder as arctangent and the last simple pole as ln|x−2|. The quadratic is positive for all real x, so its logarithm needs no absolute value.
The integral is .
(d)
Rewrite . The derivative part integrates to . For the remainder use ; the arctangent coefficient is (1/4)/(√3/4)=1/√3.
The integral is .
(e)
Split . The first term integrates to a quarter logarithm. For the second, . The remaining coefficient 7/4 multiplied by 2/√5 gives 7/(2√5) in the arctangent term.
The integral is .
(f)
Write . Integrate the derivative-over-denominator term as a logarithm, and complete the square for the remaining arctangent.
The integral is .
Common mistakes
A repeated linear factor needs both first- and second-power fractions; an irreducible quadratic needs a linear numerator.