Q.Integrate the following function: ∫(x−1)(x−2)x dx equals (A) logx−2(x−1)2+C (B) logx−1(x−2)2+C (C) log(x−2x−1)2+C (D) log∣(x−1)(x−2)∣+C
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Partial Fraction Decomposition
Partial Fraction Decomposition
Adding x−12+x+23 over a common denominator gives x2+x−25x+1. Partial fraction decomposition reverses this — it breaks one complicated rational function back into a sum of simple pieces. Those pieces are far easier to integrate: ∫x−12dx=2log∣x−1∣ is immediate, while the combined fraction is not.
When it applies
You need a proper rational function, degP<degQ. If the numerator's degree is equal or higher, first do polynomial long division. The denominator Q(x) must be factored into linear and/or irreducible quadratic factors.
The standard forms
For Q(x)P(x) with Q fully factored, each factor contributes a term:
- Distinct linear (ax+b) → ax+bA.
- Repeated linear (ax+b)n → ax+bA1+(ax+b)2A2+⋯+(ax+b)nAn.
- Irreducible quadratic (ax2+bx+c) → ax2+bx+cAx+B — a linear numerator, not just a constant.
The unknown constants are found from the resulting equations; the decomposition is unique, which is what lets us solve for them systematically.
Worked example
Decompose x2−3x+23x+5. Factor the denominator: (x−1)(x−2). Set
(x−1)(x−2)3x+5=x−1A+x−2B.
Clear denominators: 3x+5=A(x−2)+B(x−1). Substituting the roots, x=1 gives 8=−A so A=−8, and x=2 gives 11=B. Hence
x2−3x+23x+5=x−1−8+x−211.
With distinct linear factors, substitute each factor's root to knock out all but one term — much faster than equating coefficients. …
Concept: Partial Fraction Decomposition.
Step 1 – Set up the decomposition.
Since the denominator is already factored, write
(x−1)(x−2)x=x−1A+x−2B.
Step 2 – Solve for A and B.
Multiply through by (x−1)(x−2):
x=A(x−2)+B(x−1).
Comparing coefficients: A+B=1 and −2A−B=0. Solving gives A=−1, B=2.
Step 3 – Integrate. …
We decompose the integrand into simpler fractions using partial fractions, integrate term by term, and combine the logs to match one of the given options. The result is logx−1(x−2)2+C, which is option (B).
The integrand (x−1)(x−2)x is a rational function where the denominator is already factored into distinct linear factors. Partial fraction decomposition lets us break this into a sum of simpler fractions, each with a single linear denominator. The reason this works is that the original fraction has a numerator of degree 1 and a denominator of degree 2 — so it's a proper fraction, and we can express it as:
(x−1)(x−2)x=x−1A+x−2B
where A and B are constants to be found. Once we find them, integrating becomes straightforward because ∫x−adx=log∣x−a∣+C.
Let's find A and B.
- Set up the equation Multiply both sides by (x−1)(x−2):
x=A(x−2)+B(x−1)
- Solve for A and B Expand the right side:
x=Ax−2A+Bx−B=(A+B)x+(−2A−B)
Compare coefficients of x and the constant term:
{A+B=1−2A−B=0
From the second equation, B=−2A. Substitute into the first:
A−2A=1⇒−A=1⇒A=−1
Then B=−2(−1)=2.
So:
(x−1)(x−2)x=x−1−1+x−22
A faster way: for A, cover up (x−1) in the denominator and evaluate the rest at x=1: A=1−21=−1. For B, cover up (x−2) and evaluate at x=2: B=2−12=2. This "cover-up" method works only for distinct linear factors.
- Integrate term by term
∫(x−1)(x−2)xdx=∫(x−1−1+x−22)dx
=−∫x−1dx+2∫x−2dx
=−log∣x−1∣+2log∣x−2∣+C …
Method: Partial fractions, then fold logs into one to match options
For an MCQ like ∫(x−1)(x−2)xdx, decompose, integrate to logs, then use log laws so your answer matches the single-log form printed in the options.
Steps
Step 1: Decompose over distinct linear factors.
(x−1)(x−2)x=x−1A+x−2B.
Cover-up gives A=1−21=−1, B=2−12=2.
Step 2: Integrate term by term.
∫(x−1−1+x−22)dx=−log∣x−1∣+2log∣x−2∣+C.
Step 3: Combine into a single logarithm. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Squaring the wrong factor when combining logs.
Why it's wrong: The coefficient +2 sits on log∣x−2∣, so (x−2) gets squared, giving logx−1(x−2)2 (option B). The distractor squares (x−1) instead. Correct approach: Only the factor whose log has coefficient 2 is squared.
Mistake 2: Getting the signs of A and B wrong. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 63 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-24-AN1 markMCQQ.∫(x−2)(x−3)x−1dx= (A) 2log∣x−3∣+log∣x−2∣+c (B) log∣x−3∣−log∣x−2∣+c (C) log∣x−3∣2−log∣x+2∣+c (D) logx−2(x−3)2+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
A rational function with distinct linear factors in the denominator — resolve into partial fractions, integrate each term as a log, then combine using log rules.
Concept and Intuition
Any proper rational function with distinct linear denominator factors can be split into simple fractions x−aA+x−bB, each of which integrates to Alog∣x−a∣. Combining the two logs at the end into a single log of a ratio/power lets you match against answer choices written as one combined logarithm.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Write (x−2)(x−3)x−1=x−2A+x−3B, so x−1=A(x−3)+B(x−2).
- Put x=2: 2−1=A(2−3)⇒1=−A⇒A=−1.
- Put x=3: 3−1=B(3−2)⇒2=B.
- So ∫(x−2)(x−3)x−1dx=−log∣x−2∣+2log∣x−3∣+c. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-AN1 markMCQQ.∫sinx+sin2xdx= (A) 41log∣1−cosx∣+31log∣1+cosx∣−32log∣1+cos2x∣+c (B) 31log∣1−cosx∣+41log∣1+cosx∣+31log∣1+cos2x∣+c (C) 61log∣1−cosx∣+21log∣1+cosx∣−32log∣1+2cosx∣+c (D) 61log∣1−cosx∣+41log∣1+cosx∣+32log∣1+2cosx∣+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Factoring sinx+sin2x=sinx(1+2cosx) and substituting t=cosx reduces this to a rational-function partial-fractions integral, giving 61log∣1−cosx∣+21log∣1+cosx∣−32log∣1+2cosx∣+c.
Concept and Intuition
Whenever an integral has sinx (an odd power effectively) times other cosine factors in the denominator, multiplying numerator and denominator by sinx turns sin2x into 1−cos2x, which lets us substitute t=cosx and reduce the whole problem to partial fractions of a rational function in t — a completely mechanical final step.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Factor the denominator: sinx+sin2x=sinx+2sinxcosx=sinx(1+2cosx).
- So the integral is ∫sinx(1+2cosx)dx.
- Multiply top and bottom by sinx: ∫sin2x(1+2cosx)sinxdx=∫(1−cos2x)(1+2cosx)sinxdx=∫(1−cosx)(1+cosx)(1+2cosx)sinxdx.
- Substitute t=cosx, dt=−sinxdx: integral =−∫(1−t)(1+t)(1+2t)dt.
- Partial fractions: (1−t)(1+t)(1+2t)1=1−tA+1+tB+1+2tC. Evaluating at t=1: A=61. At t=−1: B=21. At t=−21: C=−32. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-FN1 markMCQQ.If ∫x3+x2x3−1dx=f(x)+log(g(x))+c, f(1)=2 and g(−3)=43, then f(−2)+g(−2)= (A) −29 (B) −21 (C) 49 (D) 41
›Reveal solutionSolution
A rational-function integral splits by partial fractions into a polynomial/rational part f(x) plus a logarithmic part log(g(x)); the two given data points pin down f and g exactly, letting us evaluate f(−2)+g(−2). Answer: −21.
Concept and Intuition
When an improper rational integrand is written x3+x2x3−1, polynomial division peels off the constant part, and partial fractions turn the remaining proper fraction into simple terms of the form xA,x2B,x+1C whose antiderivatives are Alog∣x∣, −B/x, Clog∣x+1∣. Collecting all log terms into a single log(g(x)) and all algebraic terms into f(x) matches the form the question gives; the two numeric conditions are just there to confirm the constants (and resolve the sign inside the absolute value at negative x).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Divide: x3+x2x3−1=1−x3+x2x2+1=1−x2(x+1)x2+1.
- Partial fractions: x2(x+1)x2+1=xA+x2B+x+1C. Clearing denominators: x2+1=Ax(x+1)+B(x+1)+Cx2. Setting x=0: B=1. Setting x=−1: 2=C. Matching x2 coefficients: 1=A+C⇒A=−1.
- So x2(x+1)x2+1=−x1+x21+x+12, and the integrand is 1+x1−x21−x+12.
- Integrate term by term: ∫(1+x1−x21−x+12)dx=x+log∣x∣+x1−2log∣x+1∣+c=(x+x1)+log(x+1)2x+c. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-23-FN1 markMCQQ.∫x3−1x+1dx= (A) 31log(x2+x+1x+1)+c (B) 31log(x2+x+1(x−1)2)+c (C) 31log(x2+x+1x−1)+c (D) 31log(x2−x+1(x+1)2)+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is a rational-function integral solved by partial fractions after factoring x3−1; the result combines into a single log of x2+x+1(x−1)2.
Concept and Intuition
Factor the cubic denominator as difference of cubes, then split into a linear-factor term (giving a plain log) and an irreducible-quadratic term (giving a log plus, here, no arctangent term since the numerator works out to be an exact multiple of the quadratic's derivative).
Step-by-Step Solution
- x3−1=(x−1)(x2+x+1).
- Write (x−1)(x2+x+1)x+1=x−1A+x2+x+1Bx+C.
- x+1=A(x2+x+1)+(Bx+C)(x−1). At x=1: 2=3A⇒A=32.
- Matching x2: A+B=0⇒B=−32. Matching constants: A−C=1⇒C=−31.
- ∫x−12/3dx=32log∣x−1∣.
- ∫x2+x+1−32x−31dx=−31∫x2+x+12x+1dx=−31log(x2+x+1) (numerator is exactly the derivative of the denominator). …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-14-FN1 markMCQQ.∫x2−5x+4xdx= (A) 31log∣x−1∣(x−4)4+c (B) 34log(x−1)4∣x−4∣+c (C) −31log∣x−1∣(x−4)2 (D) −34log(x−1)4∣x−4∣+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Partial fraction decomposition of a rational function with distinct linear factors, followed by direct log integration and recombination, gives 31log∣x−1∣(x−4)4+c.
Concept and Intuition
Whenever the denominator of a rational integrand factors into distinct linear terms, partial fractions break it into simpler pieces, each of which integrates to a logarithm. Combining the two resulting logarithm terms back into a single log-of-a-ratio (using log rules alogm−blogn=lognbma) is what makes the answer match a compact multiple-choice form.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Factor the denominator: x2−5x+4=(x−1)(x−4).
- Write (x−1)(x−4)x=x−1A+x−4B.
- Multiply through: x=A(x−4)+B(x−1).
- Set x=1: 1=A(1−4)=−3A⇒A=−31.
- Set x=4: 4=B(4−1)=3B⇒B=34.
- So the integral is ∫(−x−11/3+x−44/3)dx=−31log∣x−1∣+34log∣x−4∣+c. …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-18-FN1 markMCQQ.∫(x2−1)(x2+1)x2dx= (A) 41logx−1x+1−21Tan−1x+c (B) 41logx+1x−1+21Tan−1x+c (C) 41logx+1x−1−21Tan−1x+c (D) 41logx−1x+1+21Tan−1x+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Splitting x4−1x2 into a sum of x2−11 and x2+11 (halved) gives a standard log + arctan combination.
Concept and Intuition
Rather than doing full partial fractions with four unknowns, it's faster to notice x4−1=(x2−1)(x2+1) and that x2−11+x2+11=x4−1(x2+1)+(x2−1)=x4−12x2. This directly gives x4−1x2 as half that sum — a shortcut avoiding solving for four separate constants.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Write the denominator as x4−1=(x2−1)(x2+1).
- Observe: x2−11+x2+11=x4−12x2, so x4−1x2=21[x2−11+x2+11].
- Use the standard integrals: ∫x2−1dx=21logx+1x−1+c1 and ∫x2+1dx=tan−1x+c2.
- Combine: ∫x4−1x2dx=21[21logx+1x−1+tan−1x]+c=41logx+1x−1+21tan−1x+c.
Common Mistakes …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-26-FN1 markMCQQ.If (x−1)(x−2)x4=f(x)+x−1A+x−2B, then f(−2)+A+B= (A) 32 (B) 28 (C) 22 (D) 20
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests polynomial long division combined with partial fractions — split (x−1)(x−2)x4 into a polynomial part f(x) plus proper fractions. Answer: f(−2)+A+B=20.
Concept and Intuition
When the numerator's degree (4) is greater than or equal to the denominator's degree (2), a rational function isn't purely a sum of partial fractions — you first must divide out a polynomial quotient f(x), leaving a proper-fraction remainder that partial-fractions cleanly. Here f(x) is exactly that quotient (degree 4−2=2).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Divide x4 by x2−3x+2 (long division): x4=(x2−3x+2)(x2+3x+7)+(15x−14) Check: (x2−3x+2)(x2+3x+7)=x4−15x+14, so adding 15x−14 recovers x4. ✓
- So f(x)=x2+3x+7, and the remainder gives (x−1)(x−2)15x−14=x−1A+x−2B.
- Clear denominators: 15x−14=A(x−2)+B(x−1).
- Put x=1: 15−14=A(−1)⇒1=−A⇒A=−1. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-12-AN1 markMCQQ.If (x2−1)24x=x−1A1+(x−1)2A2+x+1A3+(x+1)2A4, then A1+A2+A3+A4= (A) −2 (B) 1 (C) 0 (D) 23
›Reveal solutionSolution
Clearing denominators and substituting convenient values of x (the repeated roots plus two extra points) pins down all four constants; they add up to 0.
Concept and Intuition
For a partial fraction decomposition with repeated linear factors, substituting the roots directly isolates the "squared-term" coefficients instantly, while substituting a couple of extra convenient values (like x=0 and x=2) gives enough equations to solve for the remaining linear-term coefficients.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Multiply both sides by (x−1)2(x+1)2:
4x=A1(x−1)(x+1)2+A2(x+1)2+A3(x+1)(x−1)2+A4(x−1)2.
- Set x=1: 4=A2(2)2=4A2⇒A2=1.
- Set x=−1: −4=A4(−2)2=4A4⇒A4=−1.
- Set x=0: 0=A1(−1)(1)+A2(1)+A3(1)(1)+A4(1)=−A1+A2+A3+A4. Using A2=1,A4=−1: 0=−A1+A3⇒A1=A3. …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-19-FN1 markMCQQ.If (x−1)(x−2)x4=f(x)+x−1A+x−2B, then (A) f(x)=x2−3x+7 (B) f(x)=x2+3x+7 (C) A+B=17 (D) A−B=−18
›Reveal solutionSolution
Dividing x4 by (x−1)(x−2) gives quotient f(x)=x2+3x+7 with remainder 15x−14, and partial-fractioning the remainder gives A=−1,B=16 — so only the f(x) option is correct.
Concept and Intuition
When a rational function's numerator degree exceeds the denominator's, you must first do polynomial long division to extract the polynomial part f(x) before decomposing the proper-fraction remainder into partial fractions. Skipping the division step and partial-fractioning directly would be invalid since (x−1)(x−2)x4 isn't a proper fraction.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Divide x4 by x2−3x+2 (the denominator's product):
- x4÷x2=x2; x2(x2−3x+2)=x4−3x3+2x2; subtract: 3x3−2x2.
- 3x3÷x2=3x; 3x(x2−3x+2)=3x3−9x2+6x; subtract: 7x2−6x.
- 7x2÷x2=7; 7(x2−3x+2)=7x2−21x+14; subtract: 15x−14.
- So x4=(x2−3x+2)(x2+3x+7)+(15x−14), giving f(x)=x2+3x+7 and remainder 15x−14.
- Decompose (x−1)(x−2)15x−14=x−1A+x−2B: so 15x−14=A(x−2)+B(x−1).
- At x=1: 15−14=1=A(−1)⇒A=−1. …
- Divide x4 by x2−3x+2 (the denominator's product):
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-20-FN1 markMCQQ.∫(x2−4)(x2+1)2x2−3dx=Atan−1x+Blog(x−2)+Clog(x+2) then 6A+7B−5C= (A) 9 (B) 10 (C) 6 (D) 8
›Reveal solutionSolution
Partial fractions of a rational function whose denominator has both real linear factors and an irreducible quadratic factor; the required integral form pins down the decomposition.
Concept and Intuition
The target antiderivative form Atan−1x+Blog(x−2)+Clog(x+2) tells us exactly what partial-fraction decomposition must have produced it: a term A/(x2+1) (integrates to Atan−1x), and terms B/(x−2), C/(x+2).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Write (x−2)(x+2)(x2+1)2x2−3=x2+1A+x−2B+x+2C.
- Multiply through: 2x2−3=A(x2−4)+B(x+2)(x2+1)+C(x−2)(x2+1).
- Set x=2: 5=A(0)+B(4)(5)+0⇒20B=5⇒B=41.
- Set x=−2: 5=0+0+C(−4)(5)⇒−20C=5⇒C=−41. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-18-AN1 markMCQQ.If ∫(x−1)(x+1)(x+4)(x+6)2x+5dx=101log(g(x)f(x))+c and g(−2)f(−2)=6, then g(10)f(10)= (A) 7772 (B) 75144 (C) 6355 (D) 5970
›Reveal solutionSolution
Grouping the quartic denominator via u=x2+5x turns it into (u−6)(u+4), whose partial fractions give f(x)=(x−1)(x+6) and g(x)=(x+1)(x+4); evaluating at x=10 gives 144/154=72/77.
Concept and Intuition
(x−1)(x+6)=x2+5x−6 and (x+1)(x+4)=x2+5x+4 share the same quadratic core x2+5x. Substituting u=x2+5x (whose derivative 2x+5 is exactly the numerator) collapses the quartic denominator into a simple product (u−6)(u+4), reducing the problem to a standard ∫(u−a)(u−b)du form.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let u=x2+5x⇒du=(2x+5)dx. Then
(x−1)(x+1)(x+4)(x+6)=(u−6)(u+4)
since (x−1)(x+6)=x2+5x−6=u−6 and (x+1)(x+4)=x2+5x+4=u+4.
2. The integral becomes
∫(u−6)(u+4)du=101∫(u−61−u+41)du=101logu+4u−6+c
- So g(x)f(x)=u+4u−6=(x+1)(x+4)(x−1)(x+6). …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-21-FN1 markMCQQ.If (3x+1)(x−2)1=3x+1A+x−2B and (3x+1)(x−2)x+1=3x+1C+x−2D, then (A) A+3B=0, A:C=1:3, B:D=2:3 (B) A+3B=0, A:C=3:1, B:D=3:2 (C) A−3B=0, A:C=3:2, B:D=1:3 (D) A+3B=0, A:C=3:2, B:D=1:3
›Reveal solutionSolution
Solve both partial-fraction decompositions by the cover-up method, then compare the resulting constants. Result: A+3B=0, A:C=3:2, B:D=1:3.
Concept and Intuition
Both decompositions share the same denominator factors (3x+1) and (x−2), so the standard cover-up (substitution) method finds each constant quickly by plugging in the value of x that zeroes out one factor at a time.
Step-by-Step Solution
First decomposition: (3x+1)(x−2)1=3x+1A+x−2B, i.e. 1=A(x−2)+B(3x+1).
- At x=2: 1=B(7)⇒B=71.
- At x=−31: 1=A(−31−2)=A(−37)⇒A=−73.
- Check: A+3B=−73+73=0. ✓ (matches the form in options A, B, D)
Second decomposition: (3x+1)(x−2)x+1=3x+1C+x−2D, i.e. x+1=C(x−2)+D(3x+1).
4. At x=2: 3=D(7)⇒D=73.
5. At x=−31: 32=C(−37)⇒C=−72. …
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