When the degree of the numerator is the same or greater than the degree of the denominator the expression must first be divided out by long division: 4 x²+4x+4)4x²+11x+ 0 4x²+16x+16 -5x-16= 4 + Next we find the partial fraction decomposition of and when we finish we will add it to the 4: Factor the denominator as (x+2)(x+2) or (x+2)². That is a power in the denominator, so we must include in the decomposition factors with denominators of it and all lower powers, so we assume A and B such that: = + Clear of fractions by multiplying through by the LCD (x+2)²: -5x - 16 = A + B(x + 2) -5x - 16 = A + Bx + 2B Equate the coefficients of x -5 = B Equate the constants: -16 = A + 2B Substitute -5 for B -16 = A + 2(-5) -16 = A - 10 -6 = A So = + And therefore the original: = 4 + = 4 + + or a bit simpler: 4 - - Edwin