Q.Integrate the following function: (x2+1)(x2+3)2x
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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 a rational function into simpler fractions whose denominators are the irreducible quadratic factors.
We want to integrate
∫(x2+1)(x2+3)2xdx.
Step 1: Decompose
Since both factors are irreducible quadratics, write
(x2+1)(x2+3)2x=x2+1Ax+B+x2+3Cx+D.
Step 2: Solve for constants
Multiply through by the denominator:
2x=(Ax+B)(x2+3)+(Cx+D)(x2+1).
Comparing coefficients of x3, x2, x, and constant gives:
- x3: A+C=0
- x2: B+D=0
- x: 3A+C=2
- constant: 3B+D=0
From A+C=0 and 3A+C=2, subtract to get 2A=2⇒A=1, then C=−1. …
The substitution u=x2 (so 2xdx=du) reduces the integral to ∫(u+1)(u+3)du, giving 21logx2+3x2+1+C.
Substitute. Let u=x2, so du=2xdx:
∫(x2+1)(x2+3)2xdx=∫(u+1)(u+3)du.
Partial fractions.
(u+1)(u+3)1=21(u+11−u+31).
Integrate. …
Method: Spot the derivative-of-x2 shortcut, then decompose in u=x2
When a rational function contains only x2 inside its factors and the numerator is a constant times x, the cleanest route is a substitution, not a full four-constant partial fraction.
Steps
Step 1: Check whether the numerator matches dxd(x2)=2x.
If the integrand is f(x2)(const)x, set u=x2 so that du=2xdx. This absorbs the entire numerator and drops the problem one degree.
Step 2: Rewrite as a rational function in u.
Each factor x2+a becomes u+a, so the integral turns into ∫(u+p)(u+q)du — distinct linear factors in u.
Step 3: Partial-fraction in u.
Use the identity for two distinct linear factors: …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Setting up a four-constant decomposition when a substitution is far simpler.
Why it's wrong: With the numerator 2x exactly equal to dxd(x2), the substitution u=x2 collapses the whole problem — the x2+1Ax+B+x2+3Cx+D setup wastes effort (and here yields B=D=0 anyway). Correct approach: Recognise 2xdx=du and reduce to ∫(u+1)(u+3)du.
Mistake 2: Using a constant numerator over an irreducible quadratic. …
- AHSEC Higher Secondary (HS) Final Examination 2024Set ANNUAL4 marksQ.Evaluate: ∫x2−5x+6x2+1dx OR Evaluate: ∫0π1+sinxxdx
›Reveal solutionSolution
Reduce the improper rational integrand by division then partial fractions; the OR integral evaluates to π using the King's-rule symmetry x→π−x.
Main question: x2−5x+6=(x−2)(x−3). Since the numerator and denominator have the same degree, divide first:
x2−5x+6x2+1=1+x2−5x+6(x2+1)−(x2−5x+6)=1+(x−2)(x−3)5x−5.
Partial fractions: (x−2)(x−3)5x−5=x−2A+x−3B, so 5x−5=A(x−3)+B(x−2).
- x=2: 5=−A⇒A=−5
- x=3: 10=B⇒B=10
So the integrand is 1−x−25+x−310, and
∫x2−5x+6x2+1dx=x−5ln∣x−2∣+10ln∣x−3∣+C.
OR: I=∫0π1+sinxxdx. Using ∫0af(x)dx=∫0af(a−x)dx with sin(π−x)=sinx:
I=∫0π1+sinx(π−x)dx=π∫0π1+sinxdx−I ⇒ 2I=π∫0π1+sinxdx. …
- AHSEC Higher Secondary (HS) Final Examination 2023Set ANNUAL4 marksQ.Integrate (any one):(i) ∫x2+3x+22xdx(ii) ∫02/34+9x2dx.
›Reveal solutionSolution
Write the numerator as (derivative of denominator) minus a constant, split the integral, and use partial fractions for the remaining rational part.
(i) ∫x2+3x+22xdx:
Note dxd(x2+3x+2)=2x+3. Write 2x=(2x+3)−3:
∫x2+3x+22xdx=∫x2+3x+22x+3dx−3∫x2+3x+2dx.
The first integral is log∣x2+3x+2∣ directly (numerator is the derivative of the denominator).
For the second, factor x2+3x+2=(x+1)(x+2), and use partial fractions:
(x+1)(x+2)1=x+11−x+21⟹∫x2+3x+2dx=log∣x+1∣−log∣x+2∣.
Combining:
∫x2+3x+22xdx=log∣x2+3x+2∣−3[log∣x+1∣−log∣x+2∣]+C.
Since x2+3x+2=(x+1)(x+2), log∣x2+3x+2∣=log∣x+1∣+log∣x+2∣, so
=log∣x+1∣+log∣x+2∣−3log∣x+1∣+3log∣x+2∣+C=−2log∣x+1∣+4log∣x+2∣+C.
…
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