How do you integrate int (5x-1)/(x^2-x-2) using partial fractions?

1 Answer
May 13, 2016

2 ln (x+1) + 3 ln (x-2) + c, with x > 2

Explanation:

Let f(x)=(5x-1)/(x^2-x-2)

=(5x-1)/((x-2)(x+1))

=(A(x-2)+B(x+1))/((x-2)(x+1))

=A/(x+1)+B/(x-2)

Determine matching A and B from A(x-2)+B(x+1)=5x-1

Comparing coefficients of x, A+B=5. Comparing constants, -2A+B=-1.

Solving, A = 2 and B = 3.

Now, intf(x) dx

= 2 int1/(x+1) dx + 3 int 1/(x-2) dx

=2 ln (x+1)+ 3 ln (x-2) + C

For both the logarithms to be real, x > 2