C4 Chapter 1: Partial Fractions
Dr J Frost ([email protected])
www.drfrostmaths.com
Last modified: 30th August 2015
Overview
At GCSE you learnt how to combine a sum/difference of fractions into one.
We now want to learn how to do the opposite process: split a fraction into a sum of
simpler ones, known as partial fractions.
2
1 𝑥 𝑥 +2 𝑥 +2
+
𝑥 +1 𝑥 +2 ( 𝑥 +1 ) ( 𝑥 + 2 )
𝑥+ 1
? 𝑥 ( 𝑥 −1)
Method
Q Split into partial fractions.
If each factor of the denominator is linear, we can split like such (for constants and ):
We don’t like fractions in equations, so we could simplify this to:
?
METHOD 1: Substitution METHOD 2: Equating coefficients
We can easily eliminate either or by an
appropriate choice of : Since this is an identity, the
coefficients of must match, and the
If : constant terms must match.
If : ? ?
Therefore: Solving simultaneous equations
gives same solutions as before.
Test Your Understanding
C4 Jan 2011 Q3
Let :
Let :
?
Therefore Notice we can move
the “–” to the front
of the fraction.
Note that we don’t technically need this last
line from the perspective of the mark scheme,
but it’s good to just to be on the safe side
More than two fractions
The principle is exactly the same if we have more than two linear factors in the
denominator.
Q Split into partial fractions.
When :
Bro Tip: While substitution
is generally the easier
When :
? method, I sometimes
compare coefficients of just
When : the term to avoid having to
deal with fractions. No need
to expand; we can see by
So observation that:
Then is easy to determine
given we know and .
Test Your Understanding
C4 June 2009 Q3
?
Exercise 1B/1C
Exercise 1B Exercise 1C
1 Express the following as partial 1 a
fractions.
a ? ?
b Factorise the denominator first: ?
c ?
c
e ?
?
g ?
2 a
?
c ?
Repeated linear factors
Suppose we wished to express as . What’s the problem?
Because the denominators are the same, we’d get . There’s no constant values of and we
can choose such that because the denominators will still be different.
?
Q Split into partial fractions.
2 The problem is resolved by
11 𝑥 +14 𝑥 +5 𝐴 𝐵 𝐶
≡ + + having the factor both
( 𝑥 +1 ) 2 ( 2 𝑥 +1 ) 𝑥 +1 ( 𝑥 + 1 )2 2 𝑥 and
squared +1 non-squared.
When :
When :
?
At this point we could substitute something else (e.g. ) but it’s easier to equate terms.
Test Your Understanding
C4 June 2011 Q1
?
Dealing with Improper Fractions
The ‘degree’ of a polynomial is the highest power, e.g. a quadratic has degree 2.
An algebraic fraction is improper if the degree of the numerator is at least the degree of
the denominator.
3 2
2
𝑥 −3 𝑥+ 1 𝑥 − 𝑥 +3
2
𝑥 +2 𝑥 − 1 𝑥 −𝑥
! To split an improper fraction into partial fractions, either:
1. Divide algebraically first.
2. Or introduce a whole term and deal with identity immediately.
Dealing with Improper Fractions
Q Split into partial fractions.
Method 1: Algebraic Division Method 2: Using One Identity
(method not in your textbooks but in mark schemes)
Let:
Dividing algebraically gives:
Turn numerator back:
If :
Let If :
? Comparing coefficients?of :
So
Bropinion: I personally think the second method
is easier. And mark schemes present it as
“Method 1” – implying more standard!
Test Your Understanding
C4 Jan 2013 Q3
?
Exercise 1E
Express as partial fractions.
1 a ?
b ?
c ?
d ?
2 a ?
b ?
Summary
Identify what identity you’d use in each case (no need to identify constants).
