1. 43: Partial Fractions
© Christine Crisp

2. We’ll start by adding 2 fractions. Cross and Smile
e.g.
The partial fractions for are

3. To find the partial fractions, we start with
We have to find the values of A and B.

4. To find the partial fractions, we start with
Multiply by the denominator of the l.h.s.
So,
If we understand the cancelling, we can in future go straight to this line from the 1st line.

5. The expressions are equal for all values of x, so I can choose to let x = 2.
Why should I choose x = 2 ?
ANS: x = 2 means the coefficient of B is zero, so B disappears and we can solve for A.

6. The expressions are equal for all values of x, so I can choose to let x = 2.
What value would you substitute next ?
ANS: Any value would do but x = - 1 is good.

7. The expressions are equal for all values of x, so I can choose to let x = 2.
If we chose x = 1 instead, we get 4 = 2A – B, giving the same result.
So,

8. The expressions are equal for all values of x, so I can choose to let x = 2.
If we chose x = 1 instead, we get 4 = 2A – B, giving the same result.
So,

9. The expressions are equal for all values of x, so I can choose to let x = 2.
If we chose x = 1 instead, we get 4 = 2A – B, giving the same result.
So,

10. e.g. 2 Express the following as 2 partial fractions.
Solution: Let
Multiply by :
It’s very important to write this each time

11. So,
We never leave fractions piled up like this, so
The “halves” are written in the denominators ( as 2s ) and
the minus sign is moved to the front of the 2nd fraction.
Finally, we need to check the answer.
A thorough check would be to reverse the process and put the fractions together over a common denominator.

12. The method we’ve used finds partial fractions for expressions I’ll call Type 1
e.g.
where,
the denominator has 2 linear factors,

13. The method we’ve used finds partial fractions for expressions I’ll call Type 1
e.g.
where,
the denominator has 2 linear factors,
( we may have to factorise to find them )

14. The degree of a polynomial is given by the highest power of x.
The method we’ve used finds partial fractions for expressions I’ll call Type 1
e.g.
where,
the denominator has 2 linear factors,
and the numerator is a polynomial of lower degree than the denominator
The degree of a polynomial is given by the highest power of x.

15. The degree of a polynomial is given by the highest power of x.
The method we’ve used finds partial fractions for expressions I’ll call Type 1
e.g.
where,
the denominator has 2 linear factors,
and the numerator is a polynomial of lower degree than the denominator
The degree of a polynomial is given by the highest power of x.
Here the numerator is of degree 1
and the denominator of degree

16. The degree of a polynomial is given by the highest power of x.
The method we’ve used finds partial fractions for expressions I’ll call Type 1
e.g.
where,
the denominator has 2 linear factors,
and the numerator is a polynomial of lower degree then the denominator
The degree of a polynomial is given by the highest power of x.
Here the numerator is of degree 1
and the denominator of degree 2

17. The degree of a polynomial is given by the highest power of x.
The method we’ve used finds partial fractions for expressions I’ll call Type 1
e.g.
where,
the denominator has 2 linear factors,
and the numerator is a polynomial of lower degree then the denominator
The degree of a polynomial is given by the highest power of x.
Here the numerator is of degree 1
and the denominator of degree 2

18. SUMMARY
To find partial fractions for expressions like
Let
Multiply by the denominator of the l.h.s.
Substitute a value of x that makes the coefficient of B equal to zero and solve for A.
Substitute a value of x that makes the coefficient of A equal to zero and solve for B.
Check the result by reversing the method or using the “cover-up” method.

19. Exercises
Express each of the following in partial fractions. 1. 2. 3. 4.

20. Solutions: 1.
Multiply by :
So,

21. Solutions: 2.
Multiply by
So,
( I won’t write out any more checks but it is important to do them. )

22. Solutions: 3.
Multiply by
So,

23. Solutions: 4.
Multiply by
So,

24. If the denominator has 3 factors, we just extend the method.
e.g.
Solution: Multiply by
So,

25. The next type of fraction we will consider has a repeated linear factor in the denominator.
e.g. 1
We would expect the partial fractions to be
either
This is wrong because the first 2 fractions just give
, which is the same as having only one constant. or
We will try this to see why it is also wrong.

26. We need 3 constants if the degree of the denominator is 3.
Suppose
Multiply by :
However,
Substituting B = 3 gives A = 1, an inconsistent result
We need 3 constants if the degree of the denominator is 3.

27. So, for we need

28. Using
Multiply by :

29. Using
Multiply by :

30. Using
Multiply by :
There is no other obvious value of x to use so we can choose any value.
e.g.
Subst. for A and C:

31. There is however, a neater way of finding B.
We had
Since this is an identity, the terms on each side must be the same.
For example, we have on the l.h.s. so there must be on the r.h.s.

32. There is however, a neater way of finding B.
We had
Since this is an identity, the terms on each side must be the same.
For example, we have on the l.h.s. so there must be on the r.h.s.
So, equating the coefficients of :

33. There is however, a neater way of finding B.
We had
Since this is an identity, the terms on each side must be the same.
For example, we have on the l.h.s. so there must be on the r.h.s.
So, equating the coefficients of :
Since
We could also equate the coefficients of x ( but these are harder to pick out ) or the constant terms ( equivalent to putting x = 0 ).

34. So,

35. SUMMARY
To find partial fractions for expressions with repeated factors, e.g.
Let
Work in the same way as for type 1 fractions, using the two obvious values of x and either any other value or the coefficients of .
Check the answer by using a common denominator for the right-hand side.
N.B. B can sometimes be zero.

36. Exercises
Express each of the following in partial fractions. 1. 2.

37. Solutions:
1. Let
Multiply by :
Coefficient of :
So,

38. Solutions:
2. Let
Multiply by :
Coefficient of :
So,

39. If you are taking the OCR/MEI spec you can skip the next section.

40. You may meet a question that combines algebraic division and partial fractions.
e.g. Find partial fractions for
The degree of the denominator is equal to the degree of the numerator. Both are degree 2.
This is called an improper fraction.
If the degree of the numerator is higher than the denominator the fraction is also improper.
In an exam you are likely to be given the form of the partial fractions.

41. e.g. 1 Find the values of A, B and C such that
Solution:
We don’t need to change our method
Multiply by :
So,

42. e.g. 2 Find the values of A, B and C such that
Solution:
Multiply by :
If you notice at the start, by looking at the terms on the l.h.s., that A = 2, the solution will be shorter as you can start with x = 0 and find C, then B.
So,

43. If you aren’t given the form of the partial fractions, you just need to watch out for an improper fraction.
You will need to divide out but you will probably only need one stage of division so it will be easy.

44. e.g. 2

45. e.g. 2

46. e.g. 2
So,
We can now find partial fractions for
We get
So,

47. Exercise
1. Express the following in partial fractions:
Solution:
Dividing out:

48. Partial Fractions:
Let
Multiply by :
So,

49. The next ( final ) section is only for those of you doing the OCR/MEI spec.

50. The 3rd type of partial fractions has a quadratic factor in the denominator that will not factorise.
e.g.
The partial fractions are of the form
The method is no different but the easiest way to find A, B and C is to use the obvious value of x but then equate coefficients of the term and equate constants.

51. Exercise
1. Express the following in partial fractions:
Solution:
Multiply by :
Coefficient of
Constants:

52. So,

54. The following slides contain repeats of information on earlier slides, shown without colour, so that they can be printed and photocopied.
For most purposes the slides can be printed as “Handouts” with up to 6 slides per sheet.

55. e.g. Express the following as 2 partial fractions.
Solution: Let
Multiply by :
It’s very important to write this each time

56. We never leave fractions piled up like this, so
The “halves” are written in the denominators ( as 2s ) and
the minus sign is moved to the front of the 2nd fraction.
So,
Finally, we need to check the answer.
A thorough check would be to reverse the process and put the fractions together over a common denominator.

57. Another check is to use the “cover-up” method:
We get
To check B, substitute x = 1 in the l.h.s. but cover-up
Cover-up on the l.h.s. and substitute x = 3 into the l.h.s. only
To check A, find the value of x that makes the factor under A equal to zero
( x = 3 )

58. SUMMARY
To find partial fractions for expressions like
Let
Multiply by the denominator of the l.h.s.
Substitute a value of x that makes the coefficient of B equal to zero and solve for A.
Substitute a value of x that makes the coefficient of A equal to zero and solve for B.
Check the result by reversing the method or using the “cover-up” method.

59. The next type of fraction we will consider has a repeated linear factor in the denominator.
e.g. 1
We would expect the partial fractions to be or
either
This is wrong because the first 2 fractions just give
, which is the same as having only one constant.
We will try this to see why it is also wrong.

60. We need 3 constants if the degree of the denominator is 3.
Suppose
Multiply by :
However,
Substituting A = 2 gives B = 1, an inconsistent result
We need 3 constants if the degree of the denominator is 3.

61. Using
Multiply by :
There is no other obvious value of x to use so we can choose any value.
e.g.
Subst. for A and C:

62. There is however, a neater way of finding B.
Since this is an identity, the terms on each side must be the same.
So, equating the coefficients of :
Since
For example, we have on the l.h.s. so there must be on the r.h.s.
We had
We could also equate the coefficients of x ( but these are harder to pick out ) or the constant terms.

63. SUMMARY
Let
To find partial fractions for expressions with repeated factors, e.g.
Check the answer by using using a common denominator for the right-hand side.
Work in the same way as for type 1 fractions, using the two obvious values of x and either any other value or the coefficients of .
N.B. B can sometimes be zero.

64. You may meet a question that combines algebraic division and partial fractions.
e.g. Find partial fractions for
The degree of the denominator is equal to the degree of the numerator. Both are degree 2.
This is called an improper fraction.
If the degree of the numerator is higher than the denominator the fraction is also improper.
In an exam you are likely to be given the form of the partial fractions.

65. e.g. 1 Find the values of A, B and C such that
Solution:
We don’t need to change our method
Multiply by :
So,

66. You will need to divide out but you will probably only need one stage of division so it will be easy.
If you aren’t given the form of the partial fractions, you just need to watch out for an improper fraction.

67. So,
We can now find partial fractions for
We get
e.g. 2

68. OCR/MEI only
The 3rd type of partial fractions has a quadratic factor in the denominator that will not factorise.
e.g.
The partial fractions are of the form
The method is no different but the easiest way to find A, B and C is to use the obvious value of x but then equate coefficients of the term and equate constants.