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Nov 2003 p3 q8
2088
Let \(f(x) = \frac{x^3 - x - 2}{(x-1)(x^2+1)}\).
(i) Express \(f(x)\) in the form \(A + \frac{B}{x-1} + \frac{Cx+D}{x^2+1}\), where \(A, B, C\) and \(D\) are constants.
(ii) Hence show that \(\int_2^3 f(x) \, dx = 1\).
Solution
(i) To express \(f(x)\) in the given form, perform polynomial long division on \(\frac{x^3 - x - 2}{(x-1)(x^2+1)}\) to find \(A\), and then equate the numerator to find \(B, C,\) and \(D\).
Divide \(x^3 - x - 2\) by \((x-1)(x^2+1)\) to get a quotient of \(A = 1\) and a remainder.
Equate the remainder to \(B(x^2+1) + (Cx+D)(x-1)\) and solve for \(B, C,\) and \(D\):
\(B = -1, C = 2, D = 0\).
(ii) Integrate \(f(x) = 1 - \frac{1}{x-1} + \frac{2x}{x^2+1}\) from 2 to 3: