Integration By Partial Fractions

Objectives
Understand the Concept of a Partial Fractions Decomposition
Use Partial Fractions Decomposition with Linear Factors to Integrate
a Rational Function
Use Partial Fractions Decomposition with Quadratic Factors to Integrate a Rational Function

Adding and Subtracting Fractions

Example 1 Simplify the following:
Solution.

1
x3

5
x+4

5
1
+
x3 x+4
5(x 3)
x+4
+
=
(x 3)(x + 4) (x 3)(x + 4)
6x 11
=
(x 3)(x + 4)

Example 2 Simplify the following:

5x
x2 3

8
x+1

9x
(x+1)2

Solution.
5x(x + 1)2
8(x2 3)(x + 1)
9x(x2 3)

+
(x2 3)(x + 1)2
(x2 3)(x + 1)2 (x2 3)(x + 1)2
=

(5x3 + 10x2 + 5x) (8x3 + 8x2 24x 24) + (9x3 27x)

(x2 3)(x + 1)2
1

6x3 + 18x2 46x 24

(x2 3)(x + 1)2

Weve all done this thousands of times in algebra courses. Youve probably never done, or possibly even thought about, doing the reverse. Consider
the following Question.
Example 3 Rewrite

6x11
(x3)(x+4)

as the sum of two fractions.

We know what the answer is, since we already did Example 1. However,
how would you go about doing this if you didnt know the answer before
hand? And, more importantly, why would you ever want to? Again, consider
the following example:
Example 4 Evaluate

6x11
dx
(x3)(x+4)

Solution.
We cant do this by any of the methods we have learned so
far. Substitution, Integration By Parts, Trigonometric Substitution-none
will help us. However, since we know
1
5
6x 11
=
+
(x 3)(x + 4)
x3 x+4
We must have
Z

6x 11
dx =
(x 3)(x + 4)

1
5
+
dx
x3 x+4

= ln |x 3| + 5 ln |x + 4| + C

This was easy. So, it seems as though knowing how to

decompose fractions will be beneficial to us when trying to integrate certain
rational functions.
2

Decomposition of Fractions
1
as the sum or difference of simpler
Example 5 Rewrite the fraction x2 +5x+6
fractions (that is, fractions whose denominators have two terms, and are
preferably linear).

Solution. Firstly observe the following:

1
1
=
+ 5x + 6
(x + 3)(x + 2)

x2
So,

A
B
1
=
+
x2 + 5x + 6
x+3 x+2
for some A and B. Multiplying both sides by (x + 3)(x + 2) gives
1 = A(x + 2) + B(x + 3)
Now, this equation must hold for all values of x. In particular, it must hold
for convenient values of x such as x = 2 or x = 3. If x = 2 we observe
1 = A(2 + 2) + B(2 + 3)
= B = 1
Similarly, if x = 3, we see
1 = A(3 + 2) + B(3 + 3)
= A = 1
= A = 1
So, now we have found that
x2

1
1
1
=

+ 5x + 6
x+2 x+3

General Strategy for Partial Fractions Decomposition

Consider a rational function

N (x)
.
D(x)

(x)
1. Divide if Improper: If N
is an improper fraction (if the degree of
D(x)
N (x) is greater than or equal to the degree of D(x)), divide D(x) into
N (x) to find
N (x)
N1 (x)
= polynomial +
D(x)
D(x)

2. Factor Denominator: Completely factor the denominator into factors of the form (px + q)m and (ax2 + bx + c)n , where ax2 + bx + c is
irreducible.
3. Linear Factors: For each factor of the form (px + q)m , the partial
fractions decomposition consists of the sum of m terms
A1
A2
Am
+
+ ... +
2
px + q (px + q)
(px + q)m
4. Quadratic Factors: For each factor of the form (ax2 + bx + c)n , the
partial fractions decomposition consists of the sum of n terms
B2 x + C2
Bn x + Cn
B1 x + C1
+
+ ... +
2
2
2
ax + bx + c (ax + bx + c)
(ax2 + bx + c)n

Some Examples of Integration by Partial Fractions

Example 6 Evaluate

5x2 +20x+6
dx
x3 +2x2 +x

Solution. Notice first the following:

x3 + 2x2 + x = x(x2 + 2x + 1) = x(x + 1)2
So we wish to evaluate

5x2 + 20x + 6
dx
x(x + 1)2
4

Now we use partial fractions decomposition on the integrand:

5x2 + 20x + 6
C
A B
= + +
2
x(x + 1)
x
x
(x + 1)2
= 5x2 + 20x + 6 = A(x + 1)2 + Bx(x + 1) + Cx
Letting x = 0
= A = 6
Letting x = 1
= 5(1)2 + 20(1) + 6 = C(1)
= 9 = C
= C = 9
Now, using any other value for x, say x = 1
= 5 + 20 + 6 = 6(2)2 + B(2) + 9
= 2B = 2
= B = 1
So, now we wish to evaluate
Z
1
9
6
+
+
dx
x x + 1 (x + 1)2
Z
Z
Z
1
1
1
=6
dx
dx + 9
dx
x
x+1
(x + 1)2
Z
= 6 ln |x| ln |x + 1| + 9 (x + 1)2 dx
= 6 ln |x| ln |x + 1|

Example 7 Evaluate

2x3 +x2 7x+7

dx
x2 +x2

9
+C
x+1

Solution.
Since the degree of the numerator is at least as large as the
degree of the denominator, we should first use long division to simplify the
integrand. After long division, you should find
2x3 + x2 7x + 7
2x + 5
=
2x

1
+
x2 + x 2
x2 + x 2
This gives that
Z
Z
2x3 + x2 7x + 7
2x + 5
dx = 2x 1 +
dx
2
x +x2
(x + 2)(x 1)
And we perform partial fractions on the rational portion of the integrand:
A
B
2x + 5
=
+
(x + 2)(x 1)
x+2 x1
= 2x + 5 = A(x 1) + B(x + 2)
Letting x = 1 gives
3B = 3
= B = 1
Letting x = 2 gives
3A = 9
= A = 3
Thus, our integral becomes
Z
2x 1

3
1
+
dx
x+2 x1

= x2 x 3 ln |x + 2| + ln |x 1| + C

Note 1 If the denominator of the rational function doesnt factor nicely, try
completing the square and using our trig substitution techniques.