Integration by Partial Fractions

Integration by Partial Fractions: We know that a rational function is a ratio of two polynomials P(x)/Q(x), where Q(x) ≠ 0. Now, if the degree of P(x) is lesser than the degree of Q(x), then it is a proper fraction, else it is an improper fraction. Even if a fraction is improper, it can be reduced to a proper fraction by the long division process.

Browse more Topics Under Integrals

• Fundamental Theorem of Calculus
• Introduction to Integration
• Properties of Indefinite Integrals
• Properties of Definite Integrals
• Definite Integral as a Limit of a Sum
• Integration by Partial Fractions
• Integration by Parts
• Integration by Substitutions
• Integral of Some Particular Functions
• Integral of the Type e^x[f(x) + f'(x)]dx

So, if P(x)/Q(x) is an improper fraction, then P(x)/Q(x) = T(x) + P₁(x)/Q(x) … where T(x) is a polynomial and P₁(x)/Q(x) is a proper rational fraction. We already know how to integrate polynomials and in this article, we will be learning about integration by partial fractions. Also, the rational functions that we will consider are those whose denominators can be factorised into linear and quadratic equations.

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Different Forms Integration by Partial Fractions

Let’s say that we want to evaluate ∫ [P(x)/Q(x)] dx, where P(x)/Q(x) is a proper rational fraction. In such cases, it is possible to write the integrand as a sum of simpler rational functions by using partial fraction decomposition. Post this, integration can be carried out easily. The following image indicates some simple partial fractions which can be associated with various rational functions:

Please note that A, B, and C are real numbers and their values should be determined suitably.

Some Examples of Integration by Partial Fractions

Question 1:  Find ∫ dx / [(x + 1) (x + 2)]

Answer : The integrand is a proper rational function. Therefore, by using the form of partial fraction from the image above, we have:
1 / [(x + 1) (x + 2)] = A / (x + 1) + B / (x + 2) … (1)

Solving this equation, we get,
A (x + 2) + B (x + 1) = 1
Or, Ax + 2A + Bx + B = 1
x (A + B) + (2A + B) = 1

For LHS to be equal to RHS, we have
A + B = 0 and 2A + B = 1. On solving these two equations, we get
A = 1 and B = – 1.

Therefore, we have
1 / [(x + 1) (x + 2)] = 1 / (x + 1) – 1 / (x + 2)
Hence, ∫ dx / [(x + 1) (x + 2)] = ∫ dx / (x + 1) – ∫ dx / (x + 2)
= log |x + 1| – log |x + 2| + C

Note: Equation (1) is true for all permissible values of x. Some authors use the symbol ‘≡’ to indicate that the statement is an identity and use the symbol ‘=’ to indicate that the statement is an equation, i.e., to indicate that the statement is true only for certain values of x.

Question 2: Find ∫ [(x² + 1) / (x² – 5x + 6)] dx

Answer : In this case, the integrand is NOT a proper rational function. Hence we divide (x² + 1) by (x² – 5x + 6) and get,
(x² + 1) / (x² – 5x + 6) = 1 + (5x – 5) / (x² – 5x + 6)
= 1 + (5x – 5) / (x – 2) (x – 3)

Now, let’s look at the second half of the above equation and let
(5x – 5) / (x – 2) (x – 3) = A / (x – 2) + B / (x – 3)

On solving it, we get
5x – 5 = A (x – 3) + B (x – 2) = Ax – 3A + Bx – 2B = x (A + B) – (3A + 2B)

Comparing the coefficients of the x term and constants, we get
A + B = 5 and 3A + 2B = 5. Further, on solving these two equations, we get
A = – 5 and B = 10.

Hence, we have
(x² + 1) / (x² – 5x + 6) = 1 – 5 / (x – 2) + 10 / (x – 3)
Therefore, ∫ [(x² + 1) / (x² – 5x + 6)] dx = ∫ dx – 5 ∫ 1 / (x – 2) + 10 ∫ 1 / (x – 3)
= x – 5log |x – 2| + 10log |x – 3| + C

Question 3: Find ∫ [(3x – 2) / (x + 1)² (x + 3)] dx

Answer : If you look at the image above, then the denominator in this case is similar to example 4. Hence, we have
(3x – 2) / (x + 1)² (x + 3) = A / (x + 1) + B / (x + 1)² + C / (x + 3)

On solving it, we get
3x – 2 = A (x + 1) (x + 3) + B (x + 3) + C (x + 1)²
= A (x² + 4x + 3) + B (x + 3) + C (x² + 2x + 1) = Ax² + 4Ax + 3A + Bx + 3B + Cx² + 2Cx + C
= x² (A + C) + x (4A + B + 2C) + (3A + 3B + C)

Comparing the coefficients of x², x and the constant terms, we get
A + C = 0
4A + B + 2C = 3
3A + 3B + C = – 2

On solving these three equations, we get
A = 11/4, B = –5/2 and C = –11/4

Hence, we have
(3x – 2) / (x + 1)² (x + 3) = 11 / 4(x + 1) – 5 / 2(x + 1)² – 11 / 4(x + 3)
Therefore, ∫ [(3x – 2) / (x + 1)² (x + 3)] dx = 11/4 ∫ dx / (x + 1) – 5/2 ∫ dx / (x + 1)² – 11/4 ∫ dx / (x + 3)
= 11/4 log |x + 1| + 5 / 2(x + 1) – 11/4 log |x + 3| + C
= 11/4 log |(x + 1) / (x + 3)| + 5 / 2(x + 1) + C

Example 4: Find ∫ [(x² + x + 1) / (x + 2) (x² + 1)] dx

Solution: Now look at the example 5 in the image above. This example is similar to that example. Hence, we have
(x² + x + 1) / (x + 2) (x² + 1) = A / (x + 2) + (Bx + C) / (x² + 1)

On solving this equation, we get
x² + x + 1 = A (x² + 1) + (Bx + C) (x + 2) = Ax² + A + Bx² + 2Bx + Cx + 2C
= x2 (A + B) + x (2B + C) + (A + 2C)

Comparing the coefficients of x², x and the constant terms, we get
A + B = 1
2B + C = 1
A + 2C = 1

On solving these three equations, we get
A = 3/5, B = 2/5 and C = 1/5

Hence, we have
(x² + x + 1) / (x + 2) (x² + 1) = 3 / 5(x + 2) + [(2/5) x + 1/5] / (x² + 1) = 3 / 5 (x + 2) + 1/5 [(2x + 1) / (x² + 1)]
Therefore, ∫ [(x² + x + 1) / (x + 2) (x² + 1)] dx = 3/5 ∫ dx / (x + 2) + 1/5 ∫ [2x / (x² + 1)] dx + 1/5 ∫ [1 / (x² + 1)] dx
= 3/5 log |x + 2| + 1/5 log |x² + 1| + 1/5 tan^–1 x + C

More Solved Examples for You

Question: Find ∫ [(3x – 1) / (x – 1) (x – 2) (x – 3)] dx

Solution: The integrand can be written as follows:
(3x – 1) / (x – 1) (x – 2) (x – 3) = A / (x – 1) + B / (x – 2) + C / (x – 3)

Multiplying both sides by {(x – 1) (x – 2) (x – 3)}, we get
3x – 1 = A (x – 2) (x – 3) + B (x – 1) (x – 3) + C (x – 1) (x – 2) … (a)

Now, let’s substitute x = 1 in equation (a). Hence, we have
3 – 1 = A (1 – 2) (1 – 3) + B (1 – 1) (1 – 3) + C (1 – 1) (1 – 2)
Or, 2 = A (–1) (–2) + B (0) (–2) + C (0) (–1) = 2A
Therefore, we get A = 1

Next, let’s substitute x = 2 in equation (a). Hence, we get
6 – 1 = {A (2 – 2) (2 – 3) + B (2 – 1) (2 – 3) + C (2 – 1) (2 – 2)}
Or, 5 = A (0) (–1) + B (1) (­–1) + C (1) (0) = –B
Therefore, we get B = –5

Finally, let’s substitute x = 3 in equation (a). Hence, we get
9 – 1 = {A (3 – 2) (3 – 3) + B (3 – 1) (3 – 3) + C (3 – 1) (3 – 2)}
Or, 8 = A (1) (0) + B (2) (0) + C (2) (1) = 2C
Therefore, we get C = 4.

Hence, we now have
(3x – 1) / (x – 1) (x – 2) (x – 3) = 1 / (x – 1) – 5 / (x – 2) + 4 / (x – 3)
Therefore,
∫ [(3x – 1) / (x – 1) (x – 2) (x – 3)] dx = ∫ [1 / (x – 1)] dx – 5 ∫ [1 / (x – 2)] dx + 4 ∫ [1 / (x – 3)] dx
= log |x – 1| – 5log |x – 2| + 4 log |x – 3| + C

Solved Question for You

Question 1: Why do we use partial fractions?

Answer: We decompose fractions into partial fractions like this as it makes specific integrals much simpler to do, and. We use it in the Laplace transform, which we meet later.

Question 2: How do you know when to use partial fractions in integration?

Answer: We can only do partial fractions if the degree of the numerator is severely less than the degree of the denominator. This is an important point. Thus, once you have understood that partial fractions can be done, you will need to factor the denominator as completely as possible

Question 3: How do you integrate fractions?

Answer: If someone asks you to integrate a fraction, you must try to multiply or divide the top and bottom of the fraction by a number. Occasionally it will be of help if you split a fraction up prior to making an attempt to integrate it. You can use the method of partial fractions for this.

Question 4: What is mean integration?

Answer: Integration happens when we bring distinct people or things together. For instance, the integration of students from all of the city’s colleges at the university and more. We have all come across the word differentiate that means to “set apart.” Thus, integrate is the opposite of this.