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Ch. 5 - Systems of Equations and Inequalities
Blitzer - College Algebra 8th Edition
Blitzer8th EditionCollege AlgebraISBN: 9780136970514Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 6, Problem 4

In Exercises 1–8, write the form of the partial fraction decomposition of the rational expression. It is not necessary to solve for the constants. (3x+16)/(x + 1) (x − 2)²

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Identify the factors in the denominator: (x + 1) and (x - 2)². Note that (x - 2) is a repeated linear factor with multiplicity 2.
Write a separate term for each factor and each power of the repeated factor. For the linear factor (x + 1), use a term of the form A/(x+1) where A is a constant to be determined.
For the repeated linear factor (x - 2)², write terms for each power: one term with denominator (x - 2) and another with denominator (x - 2)². These take the form B/(x-2) and C/(x-2)2 respectively, where B and C are constants.
Combine all terms to write the full partial fraction decomposition: Ax+1 + Bx-2 + C(x-2)2.
This expression represents the form of the partial fraction decomposition. Constants A, B, and C would be found by multiplying both sides by the denominator and equating coefficients, but that is not required here.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Partial Fraction Decomposition

Partial fraction decomposition is a method used to express a rational function as a sum of simpler fractions, making integration or other operations easier. It involves breaking down a complex fraction into a sum of fractions with simpler denominators, typically linear or quadratic factors.
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Decomposition of Functions

Factorization of Denominators

Understanding how to factor the denominator into linear and repeated factors is essential. In this problem, the denominator is factored as (x + 1)(x − 2)², indicating one linear factor and one repeated linear factor, which affects the form of the partial fractions.
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Form of Partial Fractions for Repeated Factors

When a denominator has repeated linear factors like (x − 2)², the partial fraction decomposition includes terms for each power of the repeated factor. For (x − 2)², the decomposition includes terms with denominators (x − 2) and (x − 2)², each with its own constant numerator.
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