Q.Integrate the function (x2+1)(x2+4)1
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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 — splitting the denominator into simpler quadratic factors.
We want to find constants A,B such that:
(x2+1)(x2+4)1=x2+1Ax+B+x2+4Cx+D
Multiply through by the denominator:
1=(Ax+B)(x2+4)+(Cx+D)(x2+1)
Expand and collect powers of x:
1=(A+C)x3+(B+D)x2+(4A+C)x+(4B+D)
Comparing coefficients:
- x3: A+C=0
- x2: B+D=0
- x: 4A+C=0
- constant: 4B+D=1
From A+C=0 and 4A+C=0, subtract to get 3A=0⇒A=0, then C=0.
From B+D=0 and 4B+D=1, subtract to get 3B=1⇒B=31, then D=−31.
Thus:
(x2+1)(x2+4)1=x2+11/3−x2+41/3
Now integrate: …
Resolve the integrand into partial fractions, then integrate each piece with ∫x2+a2dx=a1tan−1ax. The result is 31tan−1x−61tan−12x+C.
Why partial fractions
The denominator is a product of two irreducible quadratics. Splitting the fraction into pieces, each over a single quadratic, lets us apply the standard arctangent formula.
∫x2+a2dx=a1tan−1ax+C
Step-by-step solution
1. Set up the decomposition. Since the numerator is constant, treat x2 as the variable:
(x2+1)(x2+4)1=x2+1A+x2+4B⇒1=A(x2+4)+B(x2+1).
2. Solve for the constants. Put x2=−1: 1=3A⇒A=31. Put x2=−4: 1=−3B⇒B=−31.
3. Rewrite the integrand. …
Method: Partial fractions in x2 for a product of irreducible quadratics
Use this for (x2+p)(x2+q)1 with p=q: because only x2 appears, treat x2 as the variable and use constant numerators.
Steps
Step 1: Decompose treating x2 as the unknown.
(x2+p)(x2+q)1=x2+pA+x2+qB.
Step 2: Solve for A,B.
Clear denominators and substitute x2=−p then x2=−q to isolate each constant. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using linear numerators over the quadratics.
Why it's wrong: since only x2 appears, constant numerators suffice — x2+1A+x2+4B; adding Bx terms overcomplicates and can give a wrong B. Correct approach: treat x2 as the variable.
Mistake 2: Forgetting the a1 factor in the arctangent. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 63 on this concept.
- 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 2021Set eng-2021-08-25-AN1 markMCQQ.The partial fraction of x2+3x−4x2 is ________ (A) 1+5(x+4)−16+5(x−1)1 (B) 1+x+4−1+x−11 (C) 1+5(x+4)−13+5(x−1)1 (D) x+42+x−11
›Reveal solutionSolution
Since the numerator's degree equals the denominator's degree, perform polynomial division first, then resolve the remaining proper fraction into partial fractions. Answer: (A).
Concept and Intuition
Partial fraction decomposition applies to a proper rational function (numerator degree less than denominator degree). Here both are degree 2, so we must first extract the constant (integer) part via division, leaving a proper fraction to decompose.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Factor the denominator: x2+3x−4=(x+4)(x−1).
- Divide: x2=(x2+3x−4)−(3x−4), so x2+3x−4x2=1−(x+4)(x−1)3x−4.
- Decompose (x+4)(x−1)3x−4=x+4A+x−1B, so 3x−4=A(x−1)+B(x+4).
- Set x=1: −1=5B⇒B=−51.
- Set x=−4: −16=−5A⇒A=516.
- So (x+4)(x−1)3x−4=5(x+4)16−5(x−1)1. …
- 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 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-2026-05-12-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-2023-05-15-AN1 markMCQQ.If x2−3x+2 is one of the partial fractions of x4+x2−123x3−x2−2x+17, then the other partial fraction of it is (A) x2−42x+3 (B) x2+43x+2 (C) x2+42x−3 (D) x2−43x−2
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is a partial-fraction decomposition where one fraction is given; the other, over the irreducible quadratic x2+4, is found by matching coefficients — the answer is x2+42x−3.
Concept and Intuition
The quartic denominator factors as a product of two irreducible (over the reals, no rational roots) quadratics, x2−3 and x2+4. Since x2+4 has no real roots, its partial fraction numerator must be a general linear expression Ax+B, not a constant. With one of the two fractions already known, the other is recovered by clearing denominators and matching the coefficients of the resulting polynomial identity.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Factor the denominator: x4+x2−12. Let u=x2: u2+u−12=(u+4)(u−3), so x4+x2−12=(x2+4)(x2−3).
- Write (x2−3)(x2+4)3x3−x2−2x+17=x2−3x+2+x2+4Ax+B.
- Multiply both sides by (x2−3)(x2+4): (x+2)(x2+4)+(Ax+B)(x2−3)=3x3−x2−2x+17.
- Expand: (x+2)(x2+4)=x3+2x2+4x+8, and (Ax+B)(x2−3)=Ax3+Bx2−3Ax−3B. …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-07-AN1 markMCQQ.(x2+1)(x2+3)x4= (A) x2+1Ax+B+x2+3Cx+D for some A,B,C,D∈R∖{0} (B) x2+1Ax+B+x2+1Cx for some A,B,C∈R∖{0} (C) x2+1Ax+x2+3Bx for some A,B∈R∖{0} (D) 1+x2+1Ax+B+x2+3Cx+D for some A,B,C,D∈R
›Reveal solutionSolution
Since numerator and denominator have equal degree (4 each), an extra constant "+1" term is required
before the two proper partial fractions — matching option (D).
Concept and Intuition
Partial fraction decomposition applies directly only to a proper rational function (numerator
degree strictly less than denominator degree). Here (x2+1)(x2+3) expands to a degree-4 polynomial,
exactly matching the numerator's degree 4 — so the fraction is improper, and we must first extract
a polynomial part (here just a constant, since both are degree 4) via division, leaving a genuinely
proper remainder to split over the two irreducible quadratic factors.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Expand the denominator: (x2+1)(x2+3)=x4+4x2+3.
- Since numerator degree (4) = denominator degree (4), divide: x4=1⋅(x4+4x2+3)−(4x2+3).
- So (x2+1)(x2+3)x4=1−(x2+1)(x2+3)4x2+3.
- The remaining fraction (x2+1)(x2+3)4x2+3 is now proper and splits over the two distinct irreducible quadratics as x2+1A′x+B′+x2+3C′x+D′.
- Absorbing signs into new constants gives exactly the form 1+x2+1Ax+B+x2+3Cx+D, …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-27-FN1 markMCQQ.If (x2+2)(x4−1)x2=x2−1A+x2+1B+x2+2C, then A+B−C= (A) 0 (B) 34 (C) 43 (D) 2
›Reveal solutionSolution
A partial-fractions problem in disguise (substitute y=x2); solving gives A+B−C=34.
Concept and Intuition
Since x4−1=(x2−1)(x2+1), the whole expression is a rational function purely in y=x2. Substituting y=x2 converts it into an ordinary partial-fractions decomposition with three distinct linear factors (y−1),(y+1),(y+2), solvable by the cover-up (Heaviside) method.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let y=x2. The equation becomes (y+2)(y−1)(y+1)y=y−1A+y+1B+y+2C.
- Clear denominators: y=A(y+1)(y+2)+B(y−1)(y+2)+C(y−1)(y+1).
- At y=1: 1=A(2)(3)=6A⇒A=61.
- At y=−1: −1=B(−2)(1)=−2B⇒B=21.
- At y=−2: −2=C(−3)(−1)=3C⇒C=−32. …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-19-AN1 markMCQQ.Which of the following is a partial fraction of (3x+5)(x2+4x+4)−x2+6x+13= (A) 3x+53+x+2−1+(x+2)22 (B) 3x+52+x+2−1+(x+2)23 (C) 3x+5−1+x+22+(x+2)23 (D) 3x+53+x+22+(x+2)2−1
›Reveal solutionSolution
Clearing denominators and plugging in the repeated-root value, the linear-factor root, and matching one coefficient gives A=2, B=−1, C=3.
Concept and Intuition
For a repeated linear factor, plugging in its root isolates the coefficient of the highest power of that factor directly; the simple linear factor's root isolates its own coefficient; any remaining coefficient is found by matching a convenient power of x.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Write −x2+6x+13=A(x+2)2+B(3x+5)(x+2)+C(3x+5).
- At x=−2: LHS =−4−12+13=−3; RHS =C(3(−2)+5)=−C. So C=3.
- At x=−5/3: LHS =−25/9−10+13=2/9; RHS =A(x+2)2=A(1/3)2=A/9. So A=2. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-21-AN1 markMCQQ.If (x2+3)(x4+x2)(x2+2)x+2=x2+3Ax+B+x2+2Cx+D+x4+x2Ex3+Fx2+Gx+H then (E+F)(C+D)(A)= (A) −41 (B) −43 (C) 43 (D) 41
›Reveal solutionSolution
Cover-up on each factor gives A=−61, C=21,D=1, E=−31,F=−32; hence (E+F)(C+D)(A)=41.
The denominator factors as
(x2+3)(x4+x2)(x2+2),x4+x2=x2(x2+1).
Coefficient A (from x2+3). Multiply by (x2+3) and put x2=−3:
Ax+B=(x4+x2)(x2+2)x+2x2=−3=(6)(−1)x+2=−6x+2,
since x4+x2=(−3)(−2)=6 and x2+2=−1. Thus A=−61.
Coefficients C,D (from x2+2). Multiply by (x2+2) and put x2=−2:
Cx+D=(x4+x2)(x2+3)x+2x2=−2=(2)(1)x+2=2x+1,
since x4+x2=(−2)(−1)=2 and x2+3=1. Thus C=21, D=1, so C+D=23.
Coefficients E,F (from x4+x2=x2(x2+1)). Multiply by (x4+x2); at its roots the other terms vanish, so
Ex3+Fx2+Gx+H=(x2+3)(x2+2)x+2at x=0 (double) and x=±i. …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-08-AN1 markMCQQ.x4+4x2+1=x2−2x+2Ax+B+x2+2x+2Cx+D⇒3A+2B+3C= (A) -D (B) D (C) 2D (D) -2D
›Reveal solutionSolution
Recognizing the Sophie Germain factorization of x4+4 turns this into a routine partial-fractions coefficient match.
Concept and Intuition
x4+4a4=(x2−2ax+2a2)(x2+2ax+2a2) is the Sophie Germain identity; with a=1 it gives exactly the two quadratic factors seen in the denominators here.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Confirm x4+4=(x2−2x+2)(x2+2x+2) — the given denominators are exactly this factorization.
- Write x2+1=(Ax+B)(x2+2x+2)+(Cx+D)(x2−2x+2).
- Expand: (Ax+B)(x2+2x+2)=Ax3+(2A+B)x2+(2A+2B)x+2B.
- (Cx+D)(x2−2x+2)=Cx3+(D−2C)x2+(2C−2D)x+2D.
- Sum and match to 0x3+1x2+0x+1:
- x3: A+C=0⇒C=−A.
- x0: 2B+2D=1.
- x1: 2A+2B+2C−2D=0⇒ (using C=−A) 2B−2D=0⇒B=D.
- Then from 2B+2D=1 with B=D: 4B=1⇒B=D=41. …
- 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. …
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