Accedmychevron_right11thchevron_rightmathchevron_rightPartial Fractionschevron_rightExercise 5.1

Solution

2x21=2(x1)(x+1)\frac{2}{x^2-1}=\frac{2}{(x-1)(x+1)}

Let:

2(x1)(x+1)=Ax1+Bx+1\frac{2}{(x-1)(x+1)}=\frac{A}{x-1}+\frac{B}{x+1}

Multiply by (x1)(x+1)(x-1)(x+1):

2=A(x+1)+B(x1)2=A(x+1)+B(x-1)

Put x=1x=1:

2=2AA=12=2A\Rightarrow A=1

Put x=1x=-1:

2=2BB=12=-2B\Rightarrow B=-1

Hence:

2x21=1x11x+1\boxed{\frac{2}{x^2-1}=\frac{1}{x-1}-\frac{1}{x+1}}