Partial Fraction Decomposition http://www.mathematicshelpcentral.com/lecture_notes/precalculus_alg...
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Partial Fraction Decomposition
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Partial fractions: (take a fraction and write this fraction as a sum of
two or more similar fractions.)
Example:
(The LCD is 6.)
Simplified, can be simplified and written as two separate
fractions: .
Steps of Decomposition of Partial Fractions.
1. Divide if improper: If is an improper fraction, divide
the denominator into the numerator to obtain:
and apply Steps 2, 3, and 4 (below) to the proper rational expression
.
2. Factor denominator: Completely factor the denominator into
factors of the form
where is irreducible.
3. Linear factors: For each factor of the form , the partial
fraction decomposition must include the following sum of m
fractions.
