Let \(f(x) = \frac{4x^2 - 7x - 1}{(x+1)(2x-3)}\).
(i) Express \(f(x)\) in partial fractions.
(ii) Show that \(\int_2^6 f(x) \, dx = 8 - \ln\left(\frac{49}{3}\right)\).
Solution
(i) Express \(f(x)\) in the form \(A + \frac{B}{x+1} + \frac{C}{2x-3}\).
Equating coefficients, we find:
\(A = 2\), \(B = -2\), \(C = -1\).
Thus, \(f(x) = 2 + \frac{-2}{x+1} + \frac{-1}{2x-3}\).
(ii) Integrate \(f(x)\):
\(\int f(x) \, dx = \int \left(2 + \frac{-2}{x+1} + \frac{-1}{2x-3}\right) \, dx\).
This becomes:
\(2x - 2\ln|x+1| - \frac{1}{2}\ln|2x-3| + C\).
Evaluate from 2 to 6:
\(\left[2x - 2\ln|x+1| - \frac{1}{2}\ln|2x-3|\right]_2^6\).
Calculate:
At \(x = 6\): \(12 - 2\ln 7 - \frac{1}{2}\ln 9\).
At \(x = 2\): \(4 - 2\ln 3 - \frac{1}{2}\ln 1\).
Result: \(8 - \ln\left(\frac{49}{3}\right)\).
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