Polynomial long division

euonym

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Nov 20, 2010
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Hi,

I need to find the anti-derivative of this function:

\(\displaystyle \int\frac{x^{3}-2x+1}{(x^{2}-3x+2)(x-1)}dx\)

My problem lies in how to approach the polynomial division. Any ideas?
 
First, if you factor the top and bottom completely, an x-1 cancels and you're left with:

\(\displaystyle \int\frac{x^{2}+x-1}{(x-2)(x-1)}dx\)

Add and subtract \(\displaystyle x^{2}-3x+2\):

\(\displaystyle \frac{x^{2}+x-1-(x^{2}-3x+2)+(x^{2}-3x+2)}{x^{2}-3x+2}=\frac{x^{2}+x-1-(x^{2}-3x+2)}{x^{2}-3x+2}+\frac{x^{2}-3x+2}{x^{2}-3x+2}=\frac{4x-3}{(x-2)(x-1)}+1\)

Now, you can use partial fractions.

\(\displaystyle \frac{A}{x-2}+\frac{B}{x-1}=4x-3\)

OR do it without partial fractions:

add and subtract x-2:

\(\displaystyle \frac{4x-3+(x-2)-(x-2)}{(x-2)(x-1)}=\frac{5(x-1)-(x-2)}{(x-2)(x-1)}=\frac{5}{x-2}-\frac{1}{x-1}\)

Don't forget the 1. It can be integrated separately.
 
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