MATHS-2A« S-Material 7.

PARTIAL FRACTIONS
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7. PARTIAL FRACTIONS

Sections No. of periods Weightage in IPE

(6) [1x4 = 4]
1. Partial Fractions 4
4
2. Coefficient of xn of a Rational fraction 2

The fraction, in which the Numerator is less than the denominator, is called a
1 2 3 4
proper fraction. Eg: , , , ,.............
2 3 5 7

Q
The fraction, in which the Numerator is greater than or equal to the denominator,

-
3 22 10 2
is called an improperfraction. Eg : , , , etc.,

R
2 7 3 2
We know the process of adding or subtracting fractions to get a unique output.
2 3

A
1 3 5
Eg: 
2 4 4 4

T
Now, we see the converse process i.e., separating a given fraction into a group
of simple fractions viz., partial fractions (observe that this process is not unique).

S
         
Eg:   JGTG  CTG VJG RCTVKCNHTCEVKQPU QH 
        
       
#ICKP   JGTG  CTG VJG RCTVKCNHTCEVKQPU QH 
      
              
#NUQ         GVE
            

But we are not interested in splitting fractional numbers as above. Infact, in

this chapter we are interested in the study of splitting (resolving, decomposing) a
HZ
given Rational fraction of the form I Z into its partial fractions.
Applications of this topic "partial fractions" are seen in 'integration'.
In order to avoid confusion among various rational fractions, these are classi-
fied into Type-1.1, Type-1.2, Type-1.3, Type-2.1, Type-2.2.

In section 2, we determine the coefficient of xn of a given rational fraction

using power series expansions.
7. PARTIAL FRACTIONS MATHS-2A« S-Material
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SYNOPSIS POINTS
f (x)
1. Proper Rational fraction: If the degree of f(x) is less than the degree of g(x) then is
g( x )
called a proper Rational fraction.

2 Improper Rational Fraction: If the degree of f(x) is greater than or equal to the degree of g(x)
f (x)
then is called an improper rational fraction.
g( x )
f(x)
3. Type-1.1: Rational fraction of the form where g(x) contains non repeated linear factors.
g(x)
Here, with respect to every factor of g(x) of the form (ax+b), there will be one partial fraction of

Q
A
the form
ax  b

-
f(x)
4. Type 1.2: Rational fraction of the form where g(x) contains repeated and non-repeated linear
g(x)

R
factors.Here with respect to every repeated factor of g(x) of the form (ax+b)n, n>1ÎN, there are
A1 A2 An

A
n partial fractions of the form   ...... 
ax  b (ax  b) 2 (ax  b) n

T
f (x)
5. Type-1.3: Improper Rational fractions of the form with linear factors in the denominator or
g( x )
repeated linear factors in the denominator. Here express the improper rational fraction

S
f (x) f (x) r(x) r(x)
as q(x )  and resolve into its partial fractions accordingly.
g(x ) g(x ) g( x ) g( x )
f(x)
6. Type 1.4: Rational fraction of the form where g(x) is a single repeated linear factor. Here
g(x)
f(x)
take g(x)=y and find x interms of y. Then change into a rational function of y and simplify
g(x)
accordingly.
f(x)
7. Type 2.1: Rational fraction of the form , where g(x) contains a non repeated irreducible
g(x)
factor of the form ax2+bx+c. Here corresponding to (ax2+bx+c), there will be one partial fraction
Ax  B
of the form 2
where A,B are real constants.
ax  bx  c
f(x)
8. Type-2.2: Rational fraction of the form , where g(x) contains a repeated irreducible factor
g(x)
of the form (ax2+bx+c)2 . Here corresponding to (ax2+bx+c)2 there will be partial fractions of the
Ax  B Cx  D
form + 2 2
ax  bx  c (ax  bx  c)
2