Given the function:
$$ f(x) = \frac{1}{x(3x - 1)^2} = \frac{A}{x} + \frac{B}{(3x - 1)} + \frac{C}{(3x - 1)^2} $$
(a) Find the values of the constants A, B and C - Edexcel - A-Level Maths Pure - Question 3 - 2012 - Paper 7
Question 3
Given the function:
$$ f(x) = \frac{1}{x(3x - 1)^2} = \frac{A}{x} + \frac{B}{(3x - 1)} + \frac{C}{(3x - 1)^2} $$
(a) Find the values of the constants A, B and C.
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Worked Solution & Example Answer:Given the function:
$$ f(x) = \frac{1}{x(3x - 1)^2} = \frac{A}{x} + \frac{B}{(3x - 1)} + \frac{C}{(3x - 1)^2} $$
(a) Find the values of the constants A, B and C - Edexcel - A-Level Maths Pure - Question 3 - 2012 - Paper 7
Step 1
Find the values of the constants A, B and C
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Answer
To find the constants A, B, and C, we first combine the fractions on the right-hand side and set them equal to the left-hand side:
f(x)=x(3x−1)2A(3x−1)2+Bx(3x−1)+Cx
Then, expanding the numerators and combining like terms gives:
Set x = 0:
1=A(3(0)−1)2
Hence, A=4
Set x approaching ( \frac{1}{3} ):
1=C→C=3 (considering the limit)
Compare coefficients:
From the coefficient of ( x^2 ):
0=9A+3B 0=9(4)+3B⇒B=−3
Thus, the constants are:
A = 4, B = -3, C = 3.
Step 2
Hence find \( \int f(x) \, dx \)
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Answer
Now, substituting the values of A, B, and C back into the integral: