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Exercise 7(a) · Q1

Q.Resolve 3x−1(x−1)(x−2)\dfrac{3x-1}{(x-1)(x-2)} into partial fractions.

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✓ Free question

Step 1. Since the denominator has two distinct linear factors, write

3x−1(x−1)(x−2)=Ax−1+Bx−2.\frac{3x-1}{(x-1)(x-2)}=\frac{A}{x-1}+\frac{B}{x-2}.

Step 2. Multiply both sides by (x−1)(x−2)(x-1)(x-2):

3x−1=A(x−2)+B(x−1).3x-1=A(x-2)+B(x-1).

Step 3. Substitute x=1x=1: 3(1)−1=A(1−2) ⇒ 2=−A ⇒ A=−23(1)-1=A(1-2)\ \Rightarrow\ 2=-A\ \Rightarrow\ A=-2.

Step 4. Substitute x=2x=2: 3(2)−1=B(2−1) ⇒ 5=B3(2)-1=B(2-1)\ \Rightarrow\ 5=B.

Step 5 (check at x=0x=0). LHS =−1(−1)(−2)=−12=\dfrac{-1}{(-1)(-2)}=-\dfrac12. RHS =−2−1+5−2=2−2.5=−0.5=\dfrac{-2}{-1}+\dfrac5{-2}=2-2.5=-0.5. They agree.

✓Final answer

3x−1(x−1)(x−2)=−2x−1+5x−2\dfrac{3x-1}{(x-1)(x-2)}=\dfrac{-2}{x-1}+\dfrac5{x-2}.

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