INTERGRATION OF RATIONAL

FRACTIONS
Overview
A rational function has the form
𝑝(𝑥)
𝑟 𝑥 =
𝑞(𝑥)
where 𝑝 and 𝑞 are polynomials. For example,
𝑥2 − 3
𝑓 𝑥 = 4
𝑥 +3

𝑡 6 + 4𝑡 2 − 3
𝑔 𝑡 =
7𝑡 5 + 3𝑡
and
5
ℎ 𝑠 = 3
𝑠 − 4𝑠 2 + 3𝑠 − 8
are all rational functions. A rational function is called proper if the
degree of the numerator is less than the degree of the denominator,
and improper otherwise. Thus,𝑓 and ℎ are proper rational functions,
while 𝑔 is an improper rational function.
Indefinite integrals (antiderivatives) of rational functions can always
be found by the following steps:

1. Polynomial Division: Divide the denominator into the numerator

(if needed) to write the integrand as a polynomial plus a proper
rational function.
2. Partial Fraction Expansion: Expand the proper rational function
using partial fractions.
3. Completing the Square: If any terms involve quadratics, eliminate
the linear term if needed by completing the square.
4. Term by Term Integration: Use elementary integral formulas and
substitution.
Partial Fractions

It is shown in algebra that every rational fraction whose numerator

is of lower degree than the denominator can be broken up into so-
called partial fractions of the exact form below. It follows that every
rational fraction can be integrated in elementary terms.

𝐴 𝐴 2𝑎𝑥+𝑏 𝐴
, ,
𝑎𝑥+𝑏 𝑛 𝑎𝑥 2 +𝑏𝑥+𝑐 𝑛 𝑎𝑥 2 +𝑏𝑥+𝑐

The first two leads to powers, if 𝑛 > 1, to logarithms, if 𝑛 = 1; the

third leads to an arctangent. We can also integrate

𝐴
2 𝑛 , 𝑛 > 1,
𝑎𝑥 +𝑏𝑥+𝑐

by trigonometric substitution.
Case I: Distinct Linear Factors

The simplest case is that in which the denominator can be broken up

into real linear factors, none of which is repeated. In this case we may
always rewrite the given fraction (provided the numerator is of lower
degree than the denominator) as a sum of fractions whose numerator
are constants and whose respective denominators are the factors of
the original denominator.

𝑑𝑥
Example 1: Evaluate
𝑥 2 −4
Solution:
- Transform/decompose the integrand into partial fractions
1 1
2 =
𝑥 −4 𝑥−2 𝑥+2
𝐴 𝐵
= +
𝑥−2 𝑥+2
Multiplying both sides of the equation by 𝑥 − 2 𝑥 + 2
1 =𝐴 𝑥+2 +𝐵 𝑥−2
Solve for the constants A and B by elimination,
When 𝑥 = 2,
1 = 𝐴 2 + 2 + 𝐵(2 − 2),
Solving for 𝐴 gives us, 𝐴 = 14
When 𝑥 = −2,
1 = 𝐴 −2 + 2 + 𝐵 −2 − 2
Solving for 𝐵 gives us, B = −14
Substituting the values of 𝐴 and 𝐵, gives us

1 1 1
4 − 4
2
𝑥 −4 = +
𝑥−2 𝑥+2
 1
𝑑𝑥 4 −14
= + 𝑑𝑥
𝑥2 − 4 𝑥−2 𝑥+2

1 𝑑𝑥 1 𝑑𝑥
= −
4 𝑥−2 4 𝑥+2
1 1
= ln 𝑥 − 2 − ln 𝑥 + 2 + 𝐶
4 4
3𝑥+7 𝑑𝑥
Example 2. Evaluate 𝑥 2 −2𝑥−3

Solution:
- Transform/decompose the integrand into partial fractions
3𝑥 + 7 3𝑥 + 7 𝐴 𝐵
2 = = +
𝑥 − 2𝑥 − 3 𝑥−3 𝑥+1 𝑥−3 𝑥+1
Multiplying both sides of the equation by 𝑥 − 3 𝑥 + 1
 3𝑥 + 7 =𝐴 𝑥+1 +𝐵 𝑥−3
Solve for the constants A and B by elimination,
When 𝑥 = 3,
3 3 + 7 = 𝐴 3 + 1 + 𝐵(3 − 3)
Solving for 𝐴 gives us, 𝐴 = 4
When 𝑥 = −1,
3 −1 + 7 = 𝐴 −1 + 1 + 𝐵(−1 − 3)
Solving for 𝐵 gives us, 𝐵 = −1

Substituting the values of 𝐴 and 𝐵, gives us

3𝑥 + 7 4 1
= −
2
𝑥 − 2𝑥 − 3 𝑥−3 𝑥+1
We are now ready to integrate.

3𝑥 + 7 𝑑𝑥 4 1
2 = − 𝑑𝑥
𝑥 − 2𝑥 − 3 𝑥−3 𝑥+1

𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
=4 −
𝑥−3 𝑥+1
= 4 ln 𝑥 − 3 − ln 𝑥 + 1 + 𝐶

𝑥+1
Example 3. Evaluate
𝑥 3 +𝑥 2 −6𝑥

Solution:
- Transform/decompose the integrand into partial fractions
 𝑥+1 𝑥+1
3 2
=
𝑥 + 𝑥 − 6𝑥 𝑥 𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 6
𝑥+1
=
𝑥 𝑥+3 𝑥−2
𝐴 𝐵 𝐶
= + +
𝑥 𝑥+3 𝑥−2
Multiplying both sides of the equation by 𝑥 𝑥 + 3 𝑥 − 2
𝑥 + 1 = 𝐴 𝑥 + 3 𝑥 − 2 + 𝐵𝑥 𝑥 − 2 + 𝐶𝑥 𝑥 + 3
Solve for the constants A, B and C by elimination,
When 𝑥 = 0; 1 = 𝐴(3)(−2) 𝐴 = −16
𝑥 = −3; −3 + 1 = 𝐵(−3)(−3 − 2) 2
𝐵 = −15
𝑥 = 2; 2 + 1 = 𝐶(2)(2 + 3) 3
𝐶 = 10
Substituting the values of 𝐴, B and 𝐶, gives us
𝑥+1 −16 2
−15 3
10
3 2
𝑥 + 𝑥 − 6𝑥 = + +
𝑥 𝑥+3 𝑥−2
We are now ready to integrate.

𝑥+1 −16 2
−15 3
3 2
𝑥 + 𝑥 − 6𝑥
𝑑𝑥= + + 10 𝑑𝑥
𝑥 𝑥+3 𝑥−2

1 𝑑𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 3 𝑑𝑥
=− − +
6 𝑥 15 𝑥+3 10 𝑥−2
1 2 3
= − ln 𝑥 − ln 𝑥 + 3 + ln 𝑥 − 2 + 𝐶
6 15 10

𝑑𝑧
Example 4. Evaluate (4−𝑧) 𝑧

Solution:
let: 𝑧=𝑥
𝑧 = 𝑥2 𝑑𝑧 = 2𝑥 𝑑𝑥
substitute
𝑑𝑧 2𝑥 𝑑𝑥
=
(4 − 𝑧) 𝑧 4 − 𝑥2 𝑥

2 𝑑𝑥
=
2−𝑥 2+𝑥

Transform/decompose the integrand

2 𝐴 𝐵
= +
2−𝑥 2+𝑥 2−𝑥 2+𝑥
2 = 𝐴 2+𝑥 +𝐵 2−𝑥
Solve for the constants A and B by elimination,
When: 𝑥=2 2= 𝐴 2+2 𝐴 = 12
𝑥 = −2 2 = 𝐵 2 − (−2) 𝐵 = 12
Substituting the values of 𝐴 and 𝐵, gives us
1 1 1
2 2
2−𝑥 2+𝑥 = +
2−𝑥 2+𝑥
We are now ready to integrate.
1 1
2 𝑑𝑥 2 2
= + 𝑑𝑥
2−𝑥 2+𝑥 2−𝑥 2+𝑥

1 𝑑𝑥 1 𝑑𝑥
= +
2 2−𝑥 2 2+𝑥
1 1
= − ln 2 − 𝑥 + ln 2 + 𝑥 + 𝐶
2 2
Substituting back the original variable where 𝑥 = 𝑧
𝑑𝑧 1 1
(4 − 𝑧) 𝑧 = − 2 ln 2 − 𝑧 + 2 ln 2 + 𝑧 + 𝐶
 𝑥 2 +1
Example 5. Evaluate 𝑥−2 𝑥−1 2𝑥+1
𝑑𝑥

Solution:
Transform/decompose the integrand

𝑥2 + 1 𝐴 𝐵 𝐶
= + +
𝑥 − 2 𝑥 − 1 2𝑥 + 1 𝑥−2 𝑥−1 2𝑥 + 1
𝑥 2 + 1 = 𝐴 𝑥 − 1 2𝑥 + 1 + 𝐵 𝑥 − 2 2𝑥 + 1 + 𝐶 𝑥 − 2 𝑥 − 1
Solve for the constants A, B and C
When: 𝑥=2 22 + 1 = 𝐴(2 − 1) 2 2 + 1 𝐴=1
𝑥=1 12 + 1 = 𝐵 1 − 2 2 1 + 1 𝐵 = −23
2
𝑥 = −12 −12 + 1 = 𝐶 −12 −2 −12 −1 𝐶 = 13
Substituting the values of 𝐴, 𝐵 and 𝐶, gives us
𝑥2 + 1 2 1
1 −
= + 3 + 3
𝑥 − 2 𝑥 − 1 2𝑥 + 1 𝑥−2 𝑥−1 2𝑥 + 1
We are now ready to integrate.

𝑥2 + 1 2 1
𝑑𝑥 1 −3
= + + 3 𝑑𝑥
𝑥 − 2 𝑥 − 1 2𝑥 + 1
𝑥−2 𝑥−1 2𝑥 + 1

𝑑𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 1 𝑑𝑥
= − +
𝑥−2 3 𝑥−1 3 2𝑥 + 1

2 1 1
= ln 𝑥 − 2 − ln 𝑥 − 1 + ∙ ln 2𝑥 + 1 + 𝐶
3 3 2

2 1
= ln 𝑥 − 2 − ln 𝑥 − 1 + ln 2𝑥 + 1 + 𝐶
3 6
 𝑥 4 −𝑥 3 −3𝑥 2 −2𝑥+2
Example 6. Evaluate 𝑑𝑥.
𝑥 3 +𝑥 2 −2𝑥

Solution:
Since the numerator is of higher degree than the denominator, then
divide the denominator into the numerator
𝑥−2
𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 𝑥 4 − 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 2
𝑥 4 + 𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2
−2𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 2
−2𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 + 4𝑥
𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 2

𝑥 4 − 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 2 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 2
3 2
𝑑𝑥 = 𝑥−2+ 3 2
𝑑𝑥
𝑥 + 𝑥 − 2𝑥 𝑥 + 𝑥 − 2𝑥

𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 2
= 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 − 2 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑑𝑥
𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥
Decompose the third integrand.

𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 2 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 2
=
𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 𝑥 𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 2

𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 2
=
𝑥 𝑥−1 𝑥+2
𝐴 𝐵 𝐶
= + + (1)
𝑥 𝑥−1 𝑥+2

𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 2 = 𝐴 𝑥 − 1 𝑥 + 2 + 𝐵𝑥 𝑥 + 2 + 𝐶𝑥 𝑥 − 1 (2)
𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 2 = 𝐴 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 2 + 𝐵 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 𝐶 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 (3)
Evaluate 𝐴, 𝐵 and 𝐶 using Eq. (2)
From (2): when 𝑥 = 0 2 = 𝐴(−1)(2) 𝐴 = −1
𝑥=1 12 − 6(1) + 2 = 𝐵(1)(1 + 2) 𝐵 = −1

−2 2 − 6 −2 + 2 = 𝐶(−2)(−2 − 1) 𝐶=3
𝑥 = −2
Substitute values of A, B and C then integrate
𝑥 4 − 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 2 −1 −1 3
𝑑𝑥 = 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 − 2 𝑑𝑥 + + + 𝑑𝑥
𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 𝑥 𝑥−1 𝑥+2

𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
= 𝑥𝑑𝑥 − 2 𝑑𝑥 − − +3
𝑥 𝑥−1 𝑥+2

𝑥2
= − 2𝑥 − ln 𝑥 − ln 𝑥 − 1 + 3 ln 𝑥 + 2 + 𝐶
2
Now try these

Practice Problem

2𝑥 + 11
1. 2
𝑑𝑥
𝑥 +𝑥−6
Ans. 3 ln 𝑥 − 2 − ln 𝑥 + 3 + 𝐶
𝑑𝑥
2.
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥
1 𝑥
Ans. ln 𝑥+4 + 𝐶
4
3𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 − 12
3. 3 2
𝑑𝑥
𝑥 + 7𝑥 + 12𝑥
Ans. 3 ln 𝑥 + 3 − ln 𝑥 + ln 𝑥 + 4 + 𝐶
Case II: Repeated linear Factors

If the denominator contains a factor 𝑥 − 𝑎 𝑟 , the above method

fails, since there would be 𝑟 partial fractions with denominator
𝑥 − 𝑎 , and these could be combined into a single fraction with
denominator 𝑥 − 𝑎 . In this case, corresponding to the factor
𝑥 − 𝑎 𝑟 , we assume 𝑟 partial fractions of the form

𝐴 𝐵 𝐶 𝑍
+ 2+ 𝑥−𝑎 3 +∙∙∙∙∙∙ + 𝑥 − 𝑎 𝑟
𝑥−𝑎 𝑥−𝑎
 𝑥 3 −1
Example 1. Evaluate 𝑑𝑥.
𝑥 𝑥+1 3

Solution:
Decompose the integrand.
𝑥3 − 1 𝐴 𝐵 𝐶 𝐷
(1) = + + 2
+
𝑥 𝑥+1 3 𝑥 𝑥 + 1 𝑥 + 1 𝑥+1 3
(2) 𝑥 3 − 1 = 𝐴 𝑥 + 1 3 + 𝐵𝑥 𝑥 + 1 2 + 𝐶𝑥 𝑥 + 1 + 𝐷𝑥
𝑥 3 − 1 = 𝐴 𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 1 + 𝐵𝑥 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 1 + 𝐶𝑥 𝑥 + 1 + 𝐷𝑥
(3) 𝑥 3 − 1 = 𝐴 𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 1 + 𝐵 𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 𝐶 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 𝐷𝑥

To get the necessary four equations for the determination of

𝐴, 𝐵, 𝐶, 𝐷, two methods are once available. Specific values of 𝑥 can
be used in the identity (2), or the coefficients of like powers of 𝑥 in
the two members of (3) can be equated.
We naturally employ whatever combination of these methods yields
simple equations to be solved for the unknowns 𝐴, 𝐵, etc.
From (2)
3
When: 𝑥 = 0: −1 = 𝐴 0 + 1 𝐴 = −1
3 𝐷=2
𝑥 = −1: −1 − 1 = 𝐷(−1)
From (3), equate coefficients of like powers
coefficients of 𝑥 3 : 1=𝐴+𝐵
but 𝐴 = −1 𝐵=2
coefficients of 𝑥 2 : 0 = 3𝐴 + 2𝐵 + 𝐶
but 𝐴 = −1 and 𝐵 = 2 𝐶 = −1
whence
𝑥3 − 1 −1 2 −1 2
𝑑𝑥 = + + + 𝑑𝑥
𝑥 𝑥+1 3 𝑥 𝑥+1 𝑥+1 2 𝑥+1 3

𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 −2 −3
=− +2 − 𝑥+1 𝑑𝑥 + 2 𝑥+1 𝑑𝑥
𝑥 𝑥+1

𝑥 + 1 −1 𝑥 + 1 −2
= − ln 𝑥 + 2 ln 𝑥 + 1 − +2 +𝐶
−1 −2
1 1
= − ln 𝑥 + 2 ln 𝑥 + 1 + − +𝐶
𝑥+1 𝑥+1 2
 3𝑥+5
Example 2. Evaluate 𝑑𝑥.
𝑥 3 −𝑥 2 −𝑥+1

Solution:
Decompose the integrand.
3𝑥 + 5 3𝑥 + 5
=
𝑥3 − 𝑥2 − 𝑥 + 1 𝑥+1 𝑥−1 2
𝐴 𝐵 𝐶 (1)
= + +
𝑥+1 𝑥−1 𝑥−1 2
3𝑥 + 5 = 𝐴 𝑥 − 1 2 + 𝐵 𝑥 + 1 𝑥 − 1 + 𝐶 𝑥 + 1 (2)
3𝑥 + 5 = 𝐴 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1 + 𝐵 𝑥 2 − 1 + 𝐶 𝑥 + 1 (3)
Evaluate A, B and C
2
From (2): when 𝑥 = −1 3 −1 + 5 = 𝐴 −1 − 1 𝐴 = 12
𝑥=1 3 1 + 5 = 𝐶(1 + 1) 𝐶=4
From (3), equate coefficients of like powers
coefficients of 𝑥 2 0=𝐴+𝐵
but 𝐴 = 12 𝐵 = −12

Note: Synthetic division may be used to factor the denominator.

We are ready to integrate

1
3𝑥 + 5 2
−12 4
𝑑𝑥 = + + 𝑑𝑥
𝑥3 − 𝑥2 − 𝑥 + 1 𝑥+1 𝑥−1 𝑥−1 2

1 𝑑𝑥 1 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
= − +4 2
2 𝑥+1 2 𝑥−1 𝑥−1

1 𝑑𝑥 1 𝑑𝑥 −2
= − +4 𝑥−1 𝑑𝑥
2 𝑥+1 2 𝑥−1

−1
1 1 𝑥−1
= ln 𝑥 + 1 − ln 𝑥 − 1 + 4 +𝐶
2 2 −1
1 1 4
= ln 𝑥 + 1 − ln 𝑥 − 1 − +𝐶
2 2 𝑥−1
 𝑥+1
Example 3. Evaluate 𝑥 2 𝑥−1
𝑑𝑥

Solution:
Decompose the integrand.
𝑥+1 𝐴 𝐵 𝐶
= + 2+ (1)
𝑥2 𝑥 − 1 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥−1

𝑥 + 1 = 𝐴𝑥 𝑥 − 1 + 𝐵 𝑥 − 1 + 𝐶𝑥 2 (2)
𝑥 + 1 = 𝐴 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 𝐵 𝑥 − 1 + 𝐶𝑥 2 (3)
Evaluate A, B and C
From (2): when 𝑥 = 1 1 + 1 = 𝐶(12 ) 𝐶=2
𝑥=0 1 = 𝐵(0 − 1) 𝐵 = −1

From (3), equate coefficients of like powers

coefficients of 𝑥 2 0=𝐴+𝐶

but C = 2 𝐴 = −2
We are ready to integrate

𝑥+1 −2 −1 2
𝑑𝑥 = + 2+ 𝑑𝑥
𝑥2 𝑥 − 1 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥−1

𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
= −2 − +2
𝑥 𝑥2 𝑥−1

𝑑𝑥 −2
𝑑𝑥
= −2 − 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + 2
𝑥 𝑥−1

𝑥 −1
= −2 ln 𝑥 − + 2 ln 𝑥 − 1 + 𝐶
−1
1
= −2 ln 𝑥 + + 2 ln 𝑥 − 1 + 𝐶
𝑥
 𝑥
Example 4. Evaluate 𝑥+2 3
𝑑𝑥

Solution:
Decompose the integrand.
𝑥 𝐴 𝐵 𝐶
3 = + + (1)
𝑥+2 𝑥+2 𝑥+2 2 𝑥+2 3

2
𝑥 =𝐴 𝑥+2 +𝐵 𝑥+2 +𝐶 (2)

𝑥 + 1 = 𝐴 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 4 + 𝐵 𝑥 + 2 + 𝐶 (3)
Evaluate A, B and C

From (2): when 𝑥 = −2 −2 = 𝐶 𝐶 = −2

From (3), equate coefficients of like powers

coefficients of 𝑥 2 0=𝐴 𝐴=0

coefficients of 𝑥 1 = 4𝐴 + 𝐵, but 𝐴 = 0 𝐵=1

Substitute values of A, B and C then integrate

𝑥 0 1 −2
3
𝑑𝑥 = + 2
+ 3
𝑑𝑥
𝑥+2 𝑥+2 𝑥+2 𝑥+2

𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
= 2
−2 3
𝑥+2 𝑥+2

−2 −3
= 𝑥+2 𝑑𝑥 − 2 𝑥+2 𝑑𝑥

−1 −2
𝑥+2 𝑥+2
= −2 +𝐶
−1 −2

1 1
=− + 2
+𝐶
𝑥+2 𝑥+2
Now try these

Practice Problem

1
1. 2 𝑑𝑥
𝑥 𝑥+2
1 1 1 −1
Ans. ln 𝑥 − 4 ln 𝑥 + 2 + 2 𝑥 + 2 +𝐶
4
5𝑥 − 4 𝑑𝑥
2.
𝑥 3 + 4𝑥 2
3 3
Ans. 𝑥 −1 + ln 𝑥 − ln 𝑥+4 +𝐶
2 2
𝑥4 + 1
3. 𝑑𝑥
𝑥2 𝑥 + 1 2

Ans. x − 2ln x − 𝑥 −1 − 2 𝑥 + 1 −1
+𝐶
Case III: Quadratic Factors

Corresponding to a factor in the denominator of one form

𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 with 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 < 0, we assume the partial fraction
𝐴 2𝑎𝑥+𝑏 +𝐵
, where A and B are to be determined.
𝑎𝑥 2 +𝑏𝑥+𝑐
Note: the term 2𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 is the derivative of the denominator.
𝑥 2 +4𝑥+10
Example 1: Evaluate 𝑑𝑥
𝑥 3 +2𝑥 2 +5𝑥

Solution:
Decompose the integrand
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 10 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 10
3 2
=
𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 5𝑥 𝑥(𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 5)
𝐴 𝐵 2𝑥 + 2 𝐶
= + 2 + (1)
𝑥 (𝑥 +2𝑥 + 5) (𝑥 2 +2𝑥 + 5)
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 10 = 𝐴(𝑥 2 +2𝑥 + 5) + 𝐵𝑥 2𝑥 + 2 + 𝐶𝑥 (2)
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 10 = 𝐴(𝑥 2 +2𝑥 + 5) + 𝐵 2𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 𝐶𝑥 (3)
 Evaluate A, B and C
From (2): when 𝑥 = 0 10 = 𝐴 5 𝐴=2
From (3), equate coefficients of like powers
coefficients of 𝑥 2 1 = 𝐴 + 2𝐵, but 𝐴 = 2 𝐵 = −12
coefficients of 𝑥 4 = 2𝐴 + 2𝐵 + 𝐶, but 𝐴 = 2 &𝐵 = −12 𝐶=1

Substitute values of A, B and C then integrate

𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 10 2 −12 2𝑥 + 2 1
𝑑𝑥 = + + 𝑑𝑥
𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 𝑥 (𝑥 2 +2𝑥 + 5) (𝑥 2 +2𝑥 + 5)

𝑑𝑥 1 2𝑥 + 2 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
=2 − +
𝑥 2 (𝑥 2 +2𝑥 + 5) (𝑥 2 +2𝑥 + 5)

𝑑𝑥 1 2𝑥 + 2 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
=2 − +
𝑥 2 (𝑥 2 +2𝑥 + 5) (𝑥 2 +2𝑥 + 1) + 4

1 𝑑𝑥
= 2 ln 𝑥 − ln(𝑥 2 +2𝑥 + 5) +
2 𝑥+1 2+4
 𝑑𝑥
We evaluate separately
𝑥+1 2 +4
let 𝑎=2 and 𝑢 =𝑥+1
𝑎2 = 4 𝑑𝑢 = 𝑑𝑥

𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑢 1 𝑢
= = 𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛
𝑥+1 2+1 𝑢2 + 𝑎2 𝑎 𝑎
1 𝑥+1
= 𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛 +𝐶
2 2

We continue with the integration of the original example.

𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 10 1 2
𝑑𝑥
3 2
𝑑𝑥 = 2 ln 𝑥 − ln(𝑥 +2𝑥 + 5) +
𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 5𝑥 2 𝑥+1 2+4

1 2
1 𝑥+1
= 2 ln 𝑥 − ln(𝑥 +2𝑥 + 5) + 𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛 +𝐶
2 2 2
 𝑥 2 +2
Example 2: Evaluate 𝑑𝑥.
𝑥 3 −1

Solution:
Decompose the integrand
𝑥2 + 2 𝑥2 + 2
3
=
𝑥 −1 𝑥 − 1 𝑥2 + 𝑥 + 1
𝐴 𝐵 2𝑥 + 1 𝐶
= + 2 + 2 (1)
𝑥−1 𝑥 +𝑥+1 𝑥 +𝑥+1
𝑥 2 + 2 = 𝐴 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 1 + 𝐵(𝑥 − 1) 2𝑥 + 1 + 𝐶(𝑥 − 1) (2)
𝑥 2 + 2 = 𝐴 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 1 + 𝐵 2𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 1 + 𝐶(𝑥 − 1) (3)

Evaluate A, B and C
From (2): when 𝑥 = 1 12 + 2 = 𝐴 12 + 1 + 1 𝐴=1
From (3), equate coefficients of like powers
coefficients of 𝑥 2 1 = 𝐴 + 2𝐵, but 𝐴 = 1 𝐵=0
coefficients of 𝑥 0 = 𝐴 − 𝐵 + 𝐶, but 𝐴 = 1 & 𝐵 = 0 𝐶 = −1
Substitute values of A, B and C then integrate
𝑥2 + 2 1 0 2𝑥 + 1 −1
3
𝑑𝑥 = + 2 + 2 𝑑𝑥
𝑥 −1 𝑥−1 𝑥 +𝑥+1 𝑥 +𝑥+1

𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
= −
𝑥−1 𝑥2 + 𝑥 + 1

𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
= −
𝑥−1 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 14 + 34
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
= − 2
𝑥−1 1 2 3
𝑥+ 2
+ 2

1 𝑥 + 12
= ln 𝑥 − 1 − 𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛 +𝐶
3 3
2 2
2 2 𝑥 + 12
= ln 𝑥 − 1 − 𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛 +𝐶
3 3
2 2𝑥 + 1
= ln 𝑥 − 1 − 𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛 +𝐶
3 3
 𝑥 3 +𝑥 2 +𝑥+2
Example 3: Evaluate 𝑑𝑥.
𝑥 4 +3𝑥 2 +2

Solution:
Decompose the integrand
𝑥3 + 𝑥2 + 𝑥 + 2 𝑥3 + 𝑥2 + 𝑥 + 2
4 2
= 2
𝑥 + 3𝑥 + 2 𝑥 + 1 𝑥2 + 2
𝐴 2𝑥 𝐵 𝐶 2𝑥 𝐷
= 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 (1)
𝑥 +1 𝑥 +1 𝑥 +2 𝑥 +2
𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 2 = 𝐴 2𝑥 𝑥 2 + 2 + 𝐵 𝑥 2 + 2 + 𝐶 2𝑥 𝑥 2 + 1 + 𝐷 𝑥 2 + 1 (2)
𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 2 = 𝐴 2𝑥 3 + 4𝑥 + 𝐵 𝑥 2 + 2 + 𝐶 2𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 + 𝐷 𝑥 2 + 1 (3)

From (3), equate coefficients of like powers

coefficients of 𝑥 3 1 = 2𝐴 + 2𝐶 (4)
coefficients of 𝑥 2 1=𝐵+𝐷 (5)
coefficients of 𝑥 1 = 4𝐴 + 2𝐶 (6)
coefficients of 𝑥 0 2 = 2𝐵 + 𝐷 (7)
Solve for A, B, C and D.
- from (4) and (6) 𝐴=0 and 𝐶 = 12

- from (5) and (7) 𝐵=1 and 𝐷=0

Substitute values of A, B and C then integrate

𝑥3 + 𝑥2 + 𝑥 + 2 1
𝑑𝑥 0 2𝑥 1 2𝑥 0
4 2 = + 2 2
+ 2 + 2 𝑑𝑥
𝑥 + 3𝑥 + 2 2
𝑥 +1 𝑥 +1 𝑥 +2 𝑥 +2

𝑑𝑥 1 2𝑥 𝑑𝑥
= 2
+
𝑥 +1 2 𝑥2 + 2

1
= 𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑥 + ln 𝑥 2 + 2 + 𝐶
2
 𝑥
Example 4: Evaluate 𝑑𝑥.
𝑥 2 +6𝑥+13

Solution:
Decompose the integrand

𝑥 𝐴 2𝑥 + 6 𝐵
𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 13 = 𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 13 + 𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 13 (1)

𝑥 = 𝐴 2𝑥 + 6 + 𝐵 (2)
Solve for A and B
From (2) when 𝑥 = −3
−3 = 𝐴 2 −3 + 6 + 𝐵 𝐵 = −3
when 𝑥 = 0
0 = 6𝐴 + 𝐵, but 𝐵 = −3 𝐴 = 12
Substitute values of A and B then integrate
1
𝑥 2
2𝑥 + 6 −3
2
𝑑𝑥 = + 2 𝑑𝑥
𝑥 + 6𝑥 + 13 𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 13 𝑥 + 6𝑥 + 13

1 2𝑥 + 6 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
= 2
−3
2 𝑥 + 6𝑥 + 13 𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 13

1 𝑑𝑥
= ln 𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 13 − 3
2 𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 9 + 4

1 𝑑𝑥
= ln 𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 13 − 3
2 𝑥 + 3 2 + 22

1 2
1 𝑥+3
= ln 𝑥 + 6𝑥 + 13 − 3 𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛 +𝐶
2 2 2

1 2
3 𝑥+3
= ln 𝑥 + 6𝑥 + 13 − 𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛 +𝐶
2 2 2
Now try these

Practice Problem
4𝑥 + 5
1. 2 𝑑𝑥
𝑥 + 4𝑥 + 20
3 𝑥+2
Ans. 2 ln 𝑥2 + 4𝑥 + 20 − 2 Arctan 4 +𝐶
4𝑑𝑥
2.
𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 2 − 8𝑥
1 1 2 1 𝑥−2
Ans. 2
ln 𝑥 − 4 ln 𝑥 − 4𝑥 + 8 + 2 𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛 2 +𝐶
9𝑦 + 14
3. 2 𝑑𝑥
𝑦−2 𝑦 +4
1 𝑦
Ans. 4ln 𝑦 − 2 − 2 ln 𝑦2 +4 + 2 𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛 2 +𝐶
Case IV: Repeated Quadratic Factors

The case of repeated quadratic factors occurs less often.

Corresponding to a factor 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 𝑟 , we write 𝑟 partial
fractions with linear numerators of the form

𝐴 2𝑥 + 𝑏 + 𝐵 𝐶 2𝑥 + 𝑏 + 𝐷 𝐻 2𝑥 + 𝑏 + 𝐼
2
+ 2 2
+∙∙∙ +
𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 𝑟

where A, B, C, etc. are constants to be determined

 𝑥2
Example 1: Evaluate 𝑑𝑥
𝑥 2 +4𝑥+5 2

Solution:
Decompose the integrand
𝑥2 𝐴 2𝑥 + 4 + 𝐵 𝐶 2𝑥 + 4 + 𝐷
= 2 + 2
2
𝑥 + 4𝑥 + 5 2 𝑥 + 4𝑥 + 5 𝑥 + 4𝑥 + 5 2
𝑥 2 = 𝐴 2𝑥 + 4 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 5 + 𝐵 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 5 + 𝐶 2𝑥 + 4 + 𝐷
𝑥 2 = 𝐴 2𝑥 3 + 12𝑥 2 + 26𝑥 + 20 + 𝐵 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 5 + 𝐶 2𝑥 + 4 + 𝐷
Solve for A, B, C and D

equate coefficients of like powers

coefficients of 𝑥 3 0 = 2𝐴 (1)
coefficients of 𝑥 2 1 = 12𝐴 + 𝐵 (2)
coefficients of 𝑥 0 = 26𝐴 + 4𝐵 + 2𝐶 (3)
coefficients of 𝑥 0 0 = 20𝐴 + 5𝐵 + 4𝐶 + 𝐷 (4)
From the 4 equations above, we have
𝐴 = 0, 𝐵 = 1, 𝐶 = −2, and 𝐷=3

Substitute values of A, B, C and D then integrate

𝑥2 0 2𝑥 + 4 + 1 −2 2𝑥 + 4 + 3
𝑑𝑥 = + 2 𝑑𝑥
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 5 2 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 5 𝑥 + 4𝑥 + 5 2

𝑑𝑥 2𝑥 + 4 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
= −2 +3
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 5 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 5 2 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 5 2

𝑑𝑥
= −2 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 5 −2
2𝑥 + 4 𝑑𝑥
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 4 + 1
𝑑𝑥
+3
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 4 + 1 2

𝑑𝑥
= −2 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 5 −2
2𝑥 + 4 𝑑𝑥
𝑥+2 2+1
𝑑𝑥
+3
𝑥+2 2+1 2
 𝑥2 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 5 −1
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑥 = 𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑥 + 2 − 2 +3
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 5 2 −1 𝑥+2 2+1 2

𝑑𝑥
We integrate separately
𝑥+2 2 +1 2
let 𝑢 = 𝑥 + 2 𝑑𝑢 = 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑢
=
𝑥+2 2+1 2 𝑢2 + 1 2

Let: 𝑢 = tan 𝑧 𝑑𝑢 = 𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 𝑧 𝑑𝑧

𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 𝑧 𝑑𝑧 𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 𝑧 𝑑𝑧 𝑑𝑧
= = = = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝑧 𝑑𝑧
𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝑧 + 1 2 𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 𝑧 2 𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 𝑧

But 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝑧 = 12 1 + cos 2𝑧

1 1 1
= 1 + cos 2𝑧 𝑑𝑧 = 𝑑𝑧 + cos 2𝑧 𝑑𝑧
2 2 2
1 1 1 1 1
= 𝑧+ sin 2𝑧 = 𝑧 + sin 2𝑧 + 𝐶, but 𝑧 = 𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑢
2 2 2 2 4
1 1
= 𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑥 + 2 + sin 2 𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛 (𝑥 + 2) + 𝐶
2 4
The integral therefore is,
𝑥2 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 5 −1
𝑑𝑥 = 𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑥 + 2 − 2
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 5 2 −1
1 1
+ 3 𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑥 + 2 + sin 2 𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑥 + 2 + 𝐶
2 4
2 3
= 𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑥 + 2 + 2 + 𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑥 + 2
𝑥 + 4𝑥 + 5 2
3
+ sin 2 𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑥 + 2 + 𝐶
4
 𝑥 2 +𝑥+2
Example 2: Evaluate 𝑑𝑥 .
𝑥 2 +2𝑥+3 2

Solution:
Decompose the integrand
𝑥2 + 𝑥 + 2 𝐴 2𝑥 + 2 + 𝐵 𝐶 2𝑥 + 2 + 𝐷
= 2 + 2
2
𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 3 2 𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 3 𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 3 2
𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 2 = 𝐴 2𝑥 + 2 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 3 + 𝐵 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 3 + 𝐶 2𝑥 + 2 + 𝐷
𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 2 = 𝐴 2𝑥 3 + 6𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 + 6 + 𝐵 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 5 + 𝐶 2𝑥 + 4 + 𝐷
Solve for A, B, C and D

equate coefficients of like powers

coefficients of 𝑥 3 0 = 2𝐴 (1)
coefficients of 𝑥 2 1 = 6𝐴 + 𝐵 (2)
coefficients of 𝑥 1 = 10𝐴 + 4𝐵 + 2𝐶 (3)
coefficients of 𝑥 0 2 = 6𝐴 + 5𝐵 + 4𝐶 + 𝐷 (4)
From the 4 equations above, we have
3
𝐴 = 0, 𝐵 = 1, 𝐶 = − 2, and 𝐷=3

Substitute values of A, B, C and D then integrate

𝑥2 + 𝑥 + 2 3
0 2𝑥 + 2 + 1 − 2 2𝑥 + 2 + 3
𝑑𝑥 = + 𝑑𝑥
𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 3 2 2
𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 3 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 3 2

𝑑𝑥 3 2𝑥 + 2 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
= − +3
𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 3 2 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 3 2 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 3 2

𝑑𝑥 3
= − 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 3 −2
2𝑥 + 2 𝑑𝑥
𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 1 + 2 2
𝑑𝑥
+3
𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 1 + 2 2

𝑑𝑥 3
= − 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 3 −2
2𝑥 + 2 𝑑𝑥
𝑥+1 2+2 2
𝑑𝑥
+3
𝑥+1 2+2 2
Following the solution as example 1 above we have,

𝑥2 + 𝑥 + 2 1 𝑥+1 3 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 3 −1
𝑑𝑥 = 𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛 −
𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 3 2
2 2 2 −1
3 𝑥+1 1 𝑥+1
+ 𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛 + sin 2 𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛 +𝐶
4 2 2 2 2
Now try these

Practice Problem
𝑑𝑥
1.
𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 10 2

𝑥+1 1 𝑥+1
Ans. 18 𝑥 2 +2𝑥+10
+ 54 Arctan 3 +𝐶