We have seen some techniques that allow us to integrate specific rational functions. For example, we know that
However, we do not yet have a technique that allows us to tackle arbitrary quotients of this type. Thus, it is not immediately obvious how to go about evaluating
However, we know from material previously developed that
In fact, by getting a common denominator, we see that
Consequently,
In this section, we examine the method of partial fraction decomposition, which allows us to decompose rational functions into sums of simpler, more easily integrated rational functions. Using this method, we can rewrite an expression such as:
as an expression such as
The key to the method of partial fraction decomposition is being able to anticipate the form that the decomposition of a rational function will take. As we shall see, this form is both predictable and highly dependent on the factorization of the denominator of the rational function. It is also extremely important to keep in mind that partial fraction decomposition can be applied to a rational function
only if
In the case when
we must first perform long division to rewrite the quotient
in the form
where
We then do a partial fraction decomposition on
The following example, although not requiring partial fraction decomposition, illustrates our approach to integrals of rational functions of the form
where
Evaluate
Since
we perform long division to obtain
Thus,
Visit this website for a review of long division of polynomials.
Evaluate
Use long division to obtain
To integrate
where
we must begin by factoring
If
can be factored as
where each linear factor is distinct, then it is possible to find constants
satisfying
The proof that such constants exist is beyond the scope of this course.
In this next example, we see how to use partial fractions to integrate a rational function of this type.
Evaluate
Since
we begin by factoring the denominator of
We can see that
Thus, there are constants
and
satisfying
We must now find these constants. To do so, we begin by getting a common denominator on the right. Thus,
Now, we set the numerators equal to each other, obtaining
There are two different strategies for finding the coefficients
and
We refer to these as the method of equating coefficients and the method of strategic substitution.
Rewrite [link] in the form
Equating coefficients produces the system of equations
To solve this system, we first observe that
Substituting this value into the first two equations gives us the system
Multiplying the second equation by
and adding the resulting equation to the first produces
which in turn implies that
Substituting this value into the equation
yields
Thus, solving these equations yields
and
It is important to note that the system produced by this method is consistent if and only if we have set up the decomposition correctly. If the system is inconsistent, there is an error in our decomposition.
The method of strategic substitution is based on the assumption that we have set up the decomposition correctly. If the decomposition is set up correctly, then there must be values of
and
that satisfy [link] for all values of
That is, this equation must be true for any value of
we care to substitute into it. Therefore, by choosing values of
carefully and substituting them into the equation, we may find
and
easily. For example, if we substitute
the equation reduces to
Solving for
yields
Next, by substituting
the equation reduces to
or equivalently
Last, we substitute
into the equation and obtain
Solving, we have
It is important to keep in mind that if we attempt to use this method with a decomposition that has not been set up correctly, we are still able to find values for the constants, but these constants are meaningless. If we do opt to use the method of strategic substitution, then it is a good idea to check the result by recombining the terms algebraically.
Now that we have the values of
and
we rewrite the original integral:
Evaluating the integral gives us
In the next example, we integrate a rational function in which the degree of the numerator is not less than the degree of the denominator.
Evaluate
Since
we must perform long division of polynomials. This results in
Next, we perform partial fraction decomposition on
We have
Thus,
Solving for
and
using either method, we obtain
and
Rewriting the original integral, we have
Evaluating the integral produces
As we see in the next example, it may be possible to apply the technique of partial fraction decomposition to a nonrational function. The trick is to convert the nonrational function to a rational function through a substitution.
Evaluate
Let’s begin by letting
Consequently,
After making these substitutions, we have
Applying partial fraction decomposition to
gives
Thus,
Evaluate
For some applications, we need to integrate rational expressions that have denominators with repeated linear factors—that is, rational functions with at least one factor of the form
where
is a positive integer greater than or equal to
If the denominator contains the repeated linear factor
then the decomposition must contain
As we see in our next example, the basic technique used for solving for the coefficients is the same, but it requires more algebra to determine the numerators of the partial fractions.
Evaluate
We have
so we can proceed with the decomposition. Since
is a repeated linear factor, include
in the decomposition. Thus,
After getting a common denominator and equating the numerators, we have
We then use the method of equating coefficients to find the values of
and
Equating coefficients yields
and
Solving this system yields
and
Alternatively, we can use the method of strategic substitution. In this case, substituting
and
into [link] easily produces the values
and
At this point, it may seem that we have run out of good choices for
however, since we already have values for
and
we can substitute in these values and choose any value for
not previously used. The value
is a good option. In this case, we obtain the equation
or, equivalently,
Now that we have the values for
and
we rewrite the original integral and evaluate it:
Set up the partial fraction decomposition for
(Do not solve for the coefficients or complete the integration.)
Use the problem-solving method of [link] for guidance.
Now that we are beginning to get the idea of how the technique of partial fraction decomposition works, let’s outline the basic method in the following problem-solving strategy.
To decompose the rational function
use the following steps:
If not, perform long division of polynomials.
into the product of linear and irreducible quadratic factors. An irreducible quadratic is a quadratic that has no real zeros.
the factors of
determine the form of the decomposition of
can be factored as
where each linear factor is distinct, then it is possible to find constants
satisfying
contains the repeated linear factor
then the decomposition must contain
that
contains, the decomposition must include
the decomposition must include
Now let’s look at integrating a rational expression in which the denominator contains an irreducible quadratic factor. Recall that the quadratic
is irreducible if
has no real zeros—that is, if
Evaluate
Since
factor the denominator and proceed with partial fraction decomposition. Since
contains the irreducible quadratic factor
include
as part of the decomposition, along with
for the linear term
Thus, the decomposition has the form
After getting a common denominator and equating the numerators, we obtain the equation
Solving for
and
we get
and
Thus,
Substituting back into the integral, we obtain
Note: We may rewrite
if we wish to do so, since
Evaluate
We can start by factoring
We see that the quadratic factor
is irreducible since
Using the decomposition described in the problem-solving strategy, we get
After obtaining a common denominator and equating the numerators, this becomes
Applying either method, we get
Rewriting
we have
We can see that
but
requires a bit more effort. Let’s begin by completing the square on
to obtain
By letting
and consequently
we see that
Substituting back into the original integral and simplifying gives
Here again, we can drop the absolute value if we wish to do so, since
for all
Find the volume of the solid of revolution obtained by revolving the region enclosed by the graph of
and the x-axis over the interval
about the y-axis.
Let’s begin by sketching the region to be revolved (see [link]). From the sketch, we see that the shell method is a good choice for solving this problem.
The volume is given by
Since
we can proceed with partial fraction decomposition. Note that
is a repeated irreducible quadratic. Using the decomposition described in the problem-solving strategy, we get
Finding a common denominator and equating the numerators gives
Solving, we obtain
and
Substituting back into the integral, we have
Set up the partial fraction decomposition for
Use the problem-solving strategy.
Express the rational function as a sum or difference of two simpler rational expressions.
(Hint: Use long division first.)
Use the method of partial fractions to evaluate each of the following integrals.
Evaluate the following integrals, which have irreducible quadratic factors.
Use the method of partial fractions to evaluate the following integrals.
(Hint: Use the rational root theorem.)
Use substitution to convert the integrals to integrals of rational functions. Then use partial fractions to evaluate the integrals.
(Give the exact answer and the decimal equivalent. Round to five decimal places.)
Use the given substitution to convert the integral to an integral of a rational function, then evaluate.
Graph the curve
over the interval
Then, find the area of the region bounded by the curve, the x-axis, and the line
Find the volume of the solid generated when the region bounded by
and
is revolved about the x-axis.
The velocity of a particle moving along a line is a function of time given by
Find the distance that the particle has traveled after
sec.
Solve the initial-value problem for x as a function of t.
Find the x-coordinate of the centroid of the area bounded by
(Round the answer to two decimal places.)
Find the volume generated by revolving the area bounded by
about the y-axis.
Find the area bounded by
(Round the answer to the nearest hundredth.)
Evaluate the integral
For the following problems, use the substitutions
and
Find the area under the curve
between
and
(Assume the dimensions are in inches.)
2.0 in.2
Given
derive the formulas
and
Evaluate
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