SOLUTION: Let f(x) = (x^2 + 7x - 6)/(x-1)(x-2)(x+1) (i) Express f(x) in partial fractions. (ii) Show that, when x is sufficiently small for x^4 and higher powers to be neglected, f(x) = -3

Algebra.Com
Question 1205608: Let f(x) = (x^2 + 7x - 6)/(x-1)(x-2)(x+1)
(i) Express f(x) in partial fractions.
(ii) Show that, when x is sufficiently small for x^4 and higher powers to be neglected, f(x) = -3 + 2x - (3/2 x^2) + (11/4 x^3)

Answer by Edwin McCravy(20054)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
You should have grouped the factors in the denominator

 f(x) = (x^2 + 7x - 6)/[(x-1)(x-2)(x+1)]



Multiply through by (x-1)(x-2)(x+1)



Substituting x=2 will cause two of the terms on the right to become 0, 
then you can solve for B = -2

Substituting x=-1 will also cause two of the terms on the right to become 0, 
then you can solve for C = 4

Substituting x=1 will also cause two of the terms on the right to become 0, 
then you can solve for A = -1

  

Those terms look similar to the sum of an infinite geometric series:



We can get the first term in that form:



We can get the second term in that form:



The third term needs to have first term 1 in the denominator:



So we have:



Using the above equation for  on each term:



Simplifying that gives









Simplifying and omitting terms in x4 and higher we have:



Edwin

RELATED QUESTIONS

Let f(x) = (9x^2 + 4)/(2x+1)(x-2)^2 (i) Express f(x) in partial fractions. (ii) Show... (answered by Edwin McCravy)
Let f(x) = [(6+7x)/(2-x)(1+x^2)] (i) Express f(x) in partial fractions. (ii) Show that, (answered by ikleyn)
Let f(x) = (6+7x)/(2-x)(1+x^2) (i) Express f(x) in partial fractions. (ii) Show that,... (answered by ikleyn)
Let f(x) = (6+7x)/(2-x)(1+x^2) (i) Express f(x) in partial fractions. (ii) Show that,... (answered by ikleyn)
Let f(x) = [(6+7x)/(2-x)(1+x^2)] (i) Express f(x) in partial fractions. (ii) Show that, (answered by ikleyn)
Let f(x)=(2x^2-7x-1)/(x-2)(x^2+3). (i)Express f(x) in partial fractions. (ii)Hence... (answered by rothauserc,Vladdroid)
Express in partial fractions... (answered by Fombitz)
f(x)=4+x/(1+2x)(1-x)^2 a) Express F(x) in partial fractions b) Given that |x|<0.5,... (answered by venugopalramana)
Given that f(X)=2/X(X+1)(X+2) express f(X) in partial fractions Hense show that s4... (answered by Fombitz)