Republic of the Philippines

POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINE

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR BRANCHES AND CAMPUSES
MARAGONDON BRANCH

MATH 20063: DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

Partial Fraction Decomposition

Partial-fraction decomposition is the process of starting with the simplified answer and
taking it back apart, of "decomposing" the final expression into its initial polynomial fractions.
To decompose a fraction, you first focus in getting the factor of denominator.
This is used to simplify given so integration rule can be applied.

Three Cases under Partial-Fraction Decomposition:

Case 1. With real coefficients can be factored (REAL ROOTS)
Case 2. Repeated Factors
Case 3. Denominator has Irreducible Factors (none is repeated nor factorable)

Note for the given:

𝑷(𝒙)
r(x) = 𝑸(𝒙) ; the degree of P(x) is less than the degree of Q(x).

Case 1. With real coefficients can be factored (denominator has REAL ROOTS)
𝑷(𝒙) 𝑨 𝑩 𝑨𝒏
= + + ⋯+
𝑸(𝒙) 𝒂𝟏 𝒙 + 𝒃𝟏 𝒂𝟐 𝒙 + 𝒃𝟐 𝒂𝒏 𝒙 + 𝒃𝒏
Q(x) can be factored

Steps:
1. Factor the denominator using its roots. The number of roots will determine in
how many parts (fraction) the given will be divided.
2. Rewrite the given using partial fraction. Numerator will be written in as A, B, C,
etc. (depends on how many parts the given will be divided), Denominator will
be written as the roots.
3. Simplify the equation.
4. To solve for A, B, C, … substitute the roots in the simplified equation.
5. Form your partial fraction.

𝟓𝒙−𝟏
Example 𝟏. 𝒙𝟐−𝟐𝒙−𝟏𝟓
Step 1. Factor the Denominator
𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 15 = (x-5)(x+3)
Roots: x= 5
x= -3

Step 2. Partial Decomposition:

2 roots then the given will be divided into 2 parts:

5𝑥 − 1 𝐴 𝐵
= +
𝑥2 − 2𝑥 − 15 𝑥−5 𝑥+3

Step 3: Simplify the equation

5𝑥 − 1 = A(x+3) + B(x-5) (Multiply by its LCD)

Step 4: Use the roots. Evaluate the simplified equation to get the values of A and B.
 Root: x= 5
(1) x = 5 ⇒ 5(5) − 1 = A(5+3) + B(5-5)
24 = 8A
3=A
Root: x= -3
(2) x = -3 ⇒ 5(−3) − 1 = A(-3+3) + B(-3-5)
−16 = -8B
𝟐=B

Step 5. Form your partial fraction.

𝟓𝒙 − 𝟏 𝑨 𝑩
= +
𝒙𝟐 − 𝟐𝒙 − 𝟏𝟓 𝒙−𝟓 𝒙+𝟑
Then, Partial Fraction of
𝟓𝒙−𝟏 𝟑 𝟐
= +
𝒙𝟐 −𝟐𝒙−𝟏𝟓 𝒙−𝟓 𝒙+𝟑

𝟓𝒙 + 𝟕
𝑬𝒙𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝟐.
𝒙𝟑 + 𝟐𝒙𝟐 − 𝒙 − 𝟐

Step 1. Factor the Denominator

Factors 𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 2 = (x-1)(x+1)(x+2)
Roots: x= 1
x= -1
x= -2
Step 2. Partial Decomposition:
3 roots then the given will be divided into 3 parts:
5𝑥 + 7 𝐴 𝐵 𝐶
3 2
= + +
𝑥 + 2𝑥 − 𝑥 − 2 𝑥−1 𝑥+1 𝑥+2

Step 3: Simplify the equation

5𝑥 + 7 = A(x+1)(x+2) + B(x-1)(x+2) + C(x-1)(x+1)

Step 4: Use the roots. Evaluate the simplified equation to get the values of A and B.
Root: x= 1
5(1) + 7 = A(1+1)(1+2) + B(1-1)(1+2) + C(1-1)(1+1)
12 = 6A
2=A
Root: x= -1
5 (−1) + 7 = A(-1+1)(1+2) + B(-1-1)(-1+2) + C(-1-1)(-1+1)
2 = -2B
-1 = B
Root: x= -2
5(−2) + 7 = A(-2+1)(-2+2) + B(-2-1)(-2+2) + C(-2-1)(-2+1)
−3 = 3C
−1 = C

Step 5. Form your partial fraction.

5𝑥 + 7 𝐴 𝐵 𝐶
= + +
𝑥3 2
+ 2𝑥 − 𝑥 − 2 𝑥−1 𝑥+1 𝑥+2

𝟓𝒙+𝟕 𝟐 𝟏 𝟏
Then, the partial fraction of = − −
𝒙𝟑 +𝟐𝒙𝟐 −𝒙−𝟐 𝒙−𝟏 𝒙+𝟏 𝒙+𝟐
Case 2. Repeated Factors
𝑷(𝒙) 𝑨 𝑩 𝑨𝒌
= + 𝟐
+⋯+
𝑸(𝒙) 𝒂𝒙 + 𝒃 (𝒂𝒙 + 𝒃) (𝒂𝒙 + 𝒃)𝒌
Q(x) raised by an exponent.

Steps:
1. Exponent of the denominator will tell you how many times the factors will be repeated.
The exponent will determine in how many parts (fraction) the given will be divided.
2. Rewrite the given using partial fraction. Numerator will be written in as A, B, C, etc.
(depends on how many parts the given will be divided), Denominator will be written
as the repeated roots.
3. Simplify the equation.
4. To solve for A, B, C, … form an equation using the relationship of the terms on the left
that correspond to right side, mean terms with the same variable, i.e., 𝑥 2 with 𝑥 2 , x with
x, constant with constant.
5. Form your partial fraction

𝟓𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏𝟔𝒙 + 𝟏𝟑
𝑬𝒙𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝟑.
(𝒙 − 𝟐)𝟑

Step 1. Repeated Factors

(𝒙 − 𝟐)𝟑 = (x -2), (𝒙 − 𝟐)𝟐 , (𝒙 − 𝟐)𝟑

Step 2. Partial Decomposition:

Exponent is 3, then the given will be divided into 3 parts:
𝟓𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏𝟔𝒙 + 𝟏𝟑 𝐴 𝐵 𝐶
𝟑
= + 2
+
(𝒙 − 𝟐) 𝑥 − 2 (𝑥 − 2) (𝑥 − 2)3

Step 3: Simplify the equation

𝟓𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏𝟔𝒙 + 𝟏𝟑 = A(𝑥 − 2)2 + B(𝑥 − 2)+ C
𝟓𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏𝟔𝒙 + 𝟏𝟑 = A𝑥 2 −4Ax +4A + Bx -2B + C
𝟓𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏𝟔𝒙 + 𝟏𝟑 = A𝑥 2 −(4A - B)x +(4A -2B + C)

Step 4: Form the Equation

5=A (on the left side numerical coefficient of 5𝑥 2 is 5, on the right
side numerical coefficient of A𝑥 2 is A, then 5= A)

-16 = -(4A-B) (on the left side there is -16x, its numerical coefficient is -16,
on the right side numerical coefficient of –(4A -B)x is –(4A-B)

13 = 4A -2B +C (on the left side constant is 13, on the right side constant is
4A -2B + C

Then from the above equation,

A=5
If A is 5, using the 2nd equation, -16 = -(4A-B) then B = 1
-16 = -(4(5) -B)
Then B = 4
If A= 5 and B =4, then using the 3rd equation, 13 = 4A -2B +C
13 = 4(5) -2(4) + C
then C = 1
 Step 5. Form your partial fraction.
𝟓𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏𝟔𝒙 + 𝟏𝟑 𝐴 𝐵 𝐶
= + +
(𝒙 − 𝟐)𝟑 𝑥 − 2 (𝑥 − 2)2 (𝑥 − 2)3

𝟓𝒙𝟐 −𝟏𝟔𝒙+𝟏𝟑 5 4 1
Then, the partial fraction of = + +
(𝒙−𝟐)𝟑 𝑥−2 (𝑥−2)2 (𝑥−2)3

𝟕𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏𝟑𝒙 + 𝟑
𝑬𝒙𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝟒.
𝒙(𝒙 − 𝟏)𝟐

Step 1. Repeated Factors (𝑥 − 1)2 , * Additional Factor x

Step 2. Partial Decomposition:

Exponent is 2, + 1 factor, then the given will be divided into 3 parts:
𝟕𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏𝟑𝒙 + 𝟑 𝑨 𝑩 𝑪
𝟐
= + +
𝒙(𝒙 − 𝟏) 𝒙 𝒙 − 𝟏 (𝒙 − 𝟏)𝟐
Step 3: Simplify the equation
𝟕𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏𝟑𝒙 + 𝟑 = A(𝑥 − 1)2 + B𝑥(𝑥 − 1)+ Cx
𝟕𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏𝟑𝒙 + 𝟑 = A𝑥 2 − 2𝐴𝑥 + 𝐴 + B𝑥 2 - Bx+ Cx
𝟕𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏𝟑𝒙 + 𝟑 = (A+ B) 𝑥 2 − ( 2𝐴 + 𝐵 − 𝐶)𝑥 + 𝐴

Step 4: Form the Equation

7 = A +B (on the left side numerical coefficient of 7𝑥 2 is 7, on the right
side numerical coefficient of (A+B)𝑥 2 is A+B

-13 = -(2A+B -C) (on the left side there is -13x, its numerical coefficient is -13,
on the right side numerical coefficient of –(2A +B-C)x is –(2A+B-C) )

3=A (on the left side constant is 3, on the right side constant is A)

Then from the above equation,

A=3
If A is 3, using the 1st equation, 7 = A +B
7=3 +B
Then B = 4

If A= 3 and B =4, then using the 2nd equation, -13 = -(2A +B -C)
-13 = -2(3) - 4 + C
then C = -3

Step 5. Form your partial fraction.

𝟕𝒙𝟐 −𝟏𝟑𝒙+𝟑 𝑨 𝑩 𝑪
= + +
𝒙(𝒙−𝟏)𝟐 𝒙 𝒙−𝟏 (𝒙−𝟏)𝟐

𝟕𝒙𝟐 −𝟏𝟑𝒙+𝟑 𝟑 𝟒 𝟑
Then, the partial fraction of = + −
𝒙(𝒙−𝟏)𝟐 𝒙 𝒙−𝟏 (𝒙−𝟏)𝟐
Case 3a. Denominator has Irreducible Factors (none is repeated nor factorable)
𝑷(𝒙) 𝑨𝒙 + 𝑩
= 𝟐
𝑸(𝒙) 𝒂𝒙 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄
Q(x) cannot be factored.

Steps:
1. Rewrite the denominator if possible. This will determine in how many parts(fraction)
to be formed.
2. Rewrite the given using partial fraction. Numerator with real roots in the denominator
will be written in as A, B, C, etc. (depends on how many parts the given will be divided),
but the numerator with no real roots in the denominator will be written as Bx + C
(alphabet next to the first written fractions that was used, if there is A and B, then use
Cx + D, etc.)
3. Simplify the equation.
4. To solve for A, B, C, … form an equation using the relationship of the terms on the left
that correspond to right side, mean terms with the same variable, i.e., 𝑥 2 with 𝑥 2 , x with
x, constant with constant. (same with Case 2)
5. Form your partial fraction

𝟐𝒙𝟐 − 𝒙 + 𝟒
𝑬𝒙𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝟓.
𝒙𝟑 + 𝟒𝒙
𝒙𝟑 + 𝟒𝒙 can be written as 𝒙 (𝒙𝟐 + 𝟒), but 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟒 has no real root

Step 1. Factor the Denominator

𝒙𝟑 + 𝟒𝒙 can be written as 𝒙 (𝒙𝟐 + 𝟒)

Step 2. Partial Decomposition:

2 factors then the given will be divided into 2 parts:
𝟐𝒙𝟐 − 𝒙 + 𝟒 𝑨 𝑩𝒙 + 𝑪
= + 𝟐
𝒙𝟑 + 𝟒𝒙 𝒙 𝒙 +𝟒

Step 3: Simplify the equation

𝟐𝒙𝟐 − 𝒙 + 𝟒 = A(𝒙𝟐 + 𝟒)+ (Bx + C)x
𝟐𝒙𝟐 − 𝒙 + 𝟒 = A𝒙𝟐 + 𝟒𝑨+ B𝒙𝟐 + Cx
𝟐𝒙𝟐 − 𝒙 + 𝟒 = (A+ B)𝒙𝟐 + 𝑪𝒙 + 𝟒𝑨

Step 4: Form the Equation

2 = A +B (on the left side numerical coefficient of 2𝑥 2 is 2, on the right
side numerical coefficient of (A+B)𝑥 2 is A+B

-1 = C (on the left side there is -x, its numerical coefficient is -1,
on the right side numerical coefficient of Cx is C

4 = 4A (on the left side constant is 4, on the right side constant is 4A)

Then from the above equation,

-1 = C
If 4 = 4A, using the 3rd equation, Then A = 1

If A= 1, then using the 1st equation, 2 = A +B

2=1+B
then B = 1
Step 5. Form your partial fraction.
𝟐𝒙𝟐 −𝒙+𝟒 𝑨 𝑩𝒙+𝑪
= +
𝒙𝟑 +𝟒𝒙 𝒙 𝒙𝟐 +𝟒

𝟐𝒙𝟐 −𝒙+𝟒 𝟏 𝒙−𝟏

Then, the partial fraction of = +
𝒙𝟑 +𝟒𝒙 𝒙 𝒙𝟐 +𝟒

𝒙𝟐 +𝟑
Example 6: 𝟑 𝟐
𝒙 (𝒙 +𝒙+𝟏)

Combination (1) Repeated Factors 𝑥 3

(2) Not Factorable 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒙 + 𝟏
𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑 𝑨 𝑩 𝑪 𝑫𝒙 + 𝑬
𝟑 𝟐
= + 𝟐+ 𝟑+ 𝟐
𝒙 (𝒙 + 𝒙 + 𝟏) 𝒙 𝒙 𝒙 𝒙 +𝒙+𝟏
Solve for A, B, C, D and E. Apply Case 2 and 3.

Case 3b. Denominator has Irreducible Factors (But no partial fraction involve)
Using Completing the Square

𝒙+𝟒
Example 7.
𝒙𝟐 +𝟒𝒙+𝟖

Denominator 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 8 is Not Factorable, use completing the square.

𝒙𝟐 + 𝟒𝒙 + 𝟖 = 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟒𝒙 + 4 + 8 – 4
= (𝒙 + 𝟐)𝟐 + 4

𝒙+𝟒 𝒙+𝟒
= (Apply now the integration rule)
𝒙𝟐 +𝟒𝒙+𝟖 (𝒙+𝟐)𝟐 +𝟒

Note: Partial Fraction is applied If the degree of P(x) is LESS THAN the degree of Q(x). Observe the partial
fraction and look for integration rule that can be applied.

If the degree of P(x) is GREATER than the degree of Q(x), simplify the fraction using division of
polynomials.

mnlansak@pup.edu.ph