Q.Integrate the following function: (x−1)2(x+2)x
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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. …
Repeated factor (x−1)2 needs two terms:
(x−1)2(x+2)x=x−1A+(x−1)2B+x+2C.
Clearing, x=A(x−1)(x+2)+B(x+2)+C(x−1)2:
- x=1: 1=3B⇒B=31
- x=−2: −2=9C⇒C=−92
- coeff. of x2: 0=A+C⇒A=92
Integrate: …
The repeated factor gives x−12/9+(x−1)21/3−x+22/9, integrating to 92log∣x−1∣−3(x−1)1−92log∣x+2∣+C.
The form
A squared linear factor contributes a term for each power up to its multiplicity:
(x−1)2(x+2)x=x−1A+(x−1)2B+x+2C.
Step 1 — clear denominators
x=A(x−1)(x+2)+B(x+2)+C(x−1)2.
Step 2 — solve for the constants
Substitute the roots to get B and C directly:
- x=1: 1=B(1+2)=3B⇒B=31.
- x=−2: −2=C(−2−1)2=9C⇒C=−92.
For A, compare the x2 coefficients: the left side has none, the right side has A+C, so A+C=0⇒A=92.
Step 3 — integrate term by term
- ∫x−12/9dx=92log∣x−1∣. …
Method: Partial Fractions with a Repeated Linear Factor
Use this whenever a proper rational function has a denominator carrying a repeated linear factor such as (x−a)2 (or a higher power).
Steps
Step 1: Check the fraction is proper and factor the denominator.
The numerator degree must be less than the denominator degree; otherwise divide first. Identify every factor and its multiplicity.
Step 2: Write one term for EACH power of the repeated factor.
A factor (x−a)2 contributes two terms — one for each power up to its multiplicity:
(x−a)2(x−b)P(x)=x−aA+(x−a)2B+x−bC
Step 3: Clear denominators and solve. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Writing only (x−1)2B and dropping the x−1A term.
Why it's wrong: a repeated factor (x−1)2 needs a term for every power from 1 up to the multiplicity, so both x−1A and (x−1)2B are required. Omitting A makes the identity unsolvable. Correct approach: set up x−1A+(x−1)2B+x+2C.
Mistake 2: Integrating (x−1)21 as a logarithm. …
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-FN1 markMCQQ.If (3x2+x+4)(3x2+x+1)3x2+x+2=3x2+x+4Ax+B+3x2+x+1Cx+D, then (A+B)+(C+D)= (A) 31 (B) 32 (C) 1 (D) 23
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substituting u=3x2+x collapses the problem to an ordinary constant partial fraction in u, forcing A=C=0 and giving (A+B)+(C+D)=1.
Concept and Intuition
When a rational expression's numerator and both denominator factors are built from the same quadratic block 3x2+x shifted by constants, it's really a partial-fraction problem in the single variable u=3x2+x, not in x directly. Recognizing this shortcut avoids a messy 4-unknown system in x.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let u=3x2+x. The equation becomes (u+4)(u+1)u+2=u+4Ax+B+u+1Cx+D.
- Do ordinary partial fractions in u: (u+4)(u+1)u+2=u+4P+u+1Q.
- Cover-up at u=−4: P=−4+1−4+2=−3−2=32. At u=−1: Q=−1+4−1+2=31.
- So (u+4)(u+1)u+2=u+42/3+u+11/3, which is entirely x-independent in its numerators. …
- 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 2023Set eng-2023-05-16-AN1 markMCQQ.If (x−1)2(x2+2)−x2+6x+1=x−1A+(x−1)2B+x2+2Cx−3, then A+B+C= (A) 7 (B) 5 (C) 3 (D) 2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Clearing denominators and matching coefficients (using x=1 to isolate B first) gives A=0, B=2, C=0, so A+B+C=2.
Concept and Intuition
This is a standard partial-fractions decomposition. The repeated linear factor (x−1)2 lets us find B instantly by substituting x=1 directly into the cleared equation (this kills every term except the one multiplying B). The remaining coefficients A,C are then found by matching powers of x.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Clear denominators: −x2+6x+1=A(x−1)(x2+2)+B(x2+2)+(Cx−3)(x−1)2.
- Set x=1: LHS =−1+6+1=6; RHS =0+B(3)+0=3B. So B=2.
- Expand the RHS fully with B=2: A(x3−x2+2x−2)+2x2+4+(Cx−3)(x2−2x+1). (Cx−3)(x2−2x+1)=Cx3−2Cx2+Cx−3x2+6x−3.
- Collect by power of x: x3: A+C x2: −A+2−2C−3=−A−2C−1 x1: 2A+C+6 x0: −2A+4−3=−2A+1
- Match to LHS coefficients (0,−1,6,1 for x3,x2,x,1): x3: A+C=0 …
- 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-2026-05-15-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 2021Set eng-2021-10-05-FN1 markMCQQ.If (x−1)(x+2)29=x−1A+x+2B+(x+2)2C then A−B−C is equal to (A) 3 (B) 5 (C) −1 (D) 0
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is a standard partial-fractions problem; plugging in convenient roots quickly isolates each constant, giving A−B−C=5.
Concept and Intuition
For a repeated linear factor (x+2)2, the partial fraction decomposition needs both a x+2B and a (x+2)2C term. The fastest way to find the constants is to clear denominators and substitute the roots of the linear factors directly (this instantly kills all but one term).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Multiply both sides by (x−1)(x+2)2:
9=A(x+2)2+B(x−1)(x+2)+C(x−1)
- Put x=1: 9=A(3)2=9A⇒A=1.
- Put x=−2: 9=C(−2−1)=−3C⇒C=−3. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-AN1 markMCQQ.If (x+2)2A is one of the partial fractions of (2x+1)(x+2)2x2+3x+5, then A= (A) 2 (B) 1 (C) -2 (D) -1
›Reveal solutionSolution
Using the cover-up (Heaviside) method at the repeated root x=−2 gives A=−1 directly, no full partial-fraction expansion needed.
Concept and Intuition
For a repeated linear factor (x+2)2 in the denominator, the partial fraction decomposition has a term (x+2)2A whose coefficient can be found by the cover-up method: multiply both sides by (x+2)2, which cancels that factor from the denominator entirely, then substitute x=−2 into what remains (the other terms of the decomposition vanish or become finite/zero at this special substitution for the squared-factor coefficient specifically).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Write (2x+1)(x+2)2x2+3x+5=2x+1P+x+2Q+(x+2)2A.
- Multiply both sides by (x+2)2: 2x+1x2+3x+5=P⋅2x+1(x+2)2+Q(x+2)+A.
- Substitute x=−2 (this kills the P and Q terms since they still carry a factor of (x+2)): A=2x+1x2+3x+5x=−2. …
- 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-2026-05-13-FN1 markMCQQ.If (x2+1)2(x−1)x=x2+1Ax+B+(x2+1)2Cx+D+x−1E, then A+B−C+2D= (A) 21 (B) 1 (C) 23 (D) 2
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests standard partial-fraction decomposition with a repeated irreducible quadratic factor, using a mix of "plug in a root" and "match coefficients" techniques. The final computed value is A+B−C+2D=1.
Concept and Intuition
When the denominator has an irreducible quadratic factor repeated twice, (x2+1)2, along with a simple linear factor (x−1), the partial fraction form needs a linear numerator (Ax+B, Cx+D) over each power of the quadratic, plus a constant (E) over the linear factor. The cleanest way to solve is: clear denominators, plug in the linear factor's root to isolate E instantly, then expand the rest and match coefficients of each power of x to get the remaining unknowns.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Clear denominators by multiplying both sides by (x2+1)2(x−1):
x=(Ax+B)(x2+1)(x−1)+(Cx+D)(x−1)+E(x2+1)2.
- Find E quickly: set x=1. The first two terms vanish (each has a factor of (x−1)), leaving 1=E(12+1)2=4E, so E=41.
- Expand the rest. First, (x2+1)(x−1)=x3−x2+x−1, so
(Ax+B)(x3−x2+x−1)=Ax4+(−A+B)x3+(A−B)x2+(−A+B)x−B.
Next, (Cx+D)(x−1)=Cx2+(D−C)x−D. And E(x2+1)2=Ex4+2Ex2+E.
4. Collect coefficients by power of x and equate to the right-hand side of the original equation (which is just x, so coefficients are 0,0,0,1,0 for x4,x3,x2,x1,x0 respectively):
- x4: A+E=0⇒A=−E=−41.
- x3: −A+B=0⇒B=A=−41.
- x2: (A−B)+C+2E=0. Since A=B, this gives C=−2E=−21. …
- 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 2021Set eng-2021-08-20-FN1 markMCQQ.Given (x+1)2(x+3)3x−2=x+1A+(x+1)2B+x+3C then 4A+2B+4C (A) 5 (B) −5 (C) −3 (D) 3
›Reveal solutionSolution
Standard partial-fraction cover-up plus a coefficient match pins down A,B,C, giving 4A+2B+4C=−5.
Concept and Intuition
For a repeated linear factor (x+1)2 together with a simple factor (x+3), the cover-up (Heaviside) method quickly gives B and C by substituting the roots that make each factor vanish. The remaining constant A is then found by matching a coefficient (here, the x2 coefficient, since the numerator on the left has no x2 term).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Clear denominators: 3x−2=A(x+1)(x+3)+B(x+3)+C(x+1)2.
- Set x=−1 (kills the A and C terms): 3(−1)−2=B(−1+3)⇒−5=2B⇒B=−25.
- Set x=−3 (kills the A and B terms): 3(−3)−2=C(−3+1)2⇒−11=4C⇒C=−411.
- Match the coefficient of x2 on both sides (LHS has none): 0=A+C⇒A=411. …
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