P4 Partial Fraction

Coach Name: Sir Muhammad Abdullah Shah

Edexcel IAL June 2023 P4 (WMA14/01) Q3 Partial Fractions, Integration
\( f(x) = \frac{8x-5}{(2x-1)(4x-3)} \qquad x > 1 \)
a. Express \( f(x) \) in partial fractions.
b. Hence, find \( \int f(x) \, dx \)
(3)
c. Use the answer of part b to find the value of k for which

\( \int_{k}^{3k} f(x) dx = \frac{1}{2} \ln 20 \)

(5)

Solution to Part a: Expression of f(x) in partial fractions
Key Concepts Used:
  • Partial Fractions – Distinct Linear Factors
Step-by-Step Working:
  1. Set \( \frac{8x-5}{(2x-1)(4x-3)} \) identical to \( \frac{A}{2x-1} + \frac{B}{4x-3} \)

    \( \frac{8x-5}{(2x-1)(4x-3)} = \frac{A}{2x-1} + \frac{B}{4x-3} \)
  2. Let’s find the value of A & B.
    Add the two fractions.

    \( \frac{8x-5}{(2x-1)(4x-3)} = \frac{A(4x-3) + B(2x-1)}{(2x-1)(4x-3)} \)
\( 8x – 5 = A(4x – 3) + B(2x – 1) \)

To find A, substitute \( x = \frac{1}{2} \).

\( 8\left(\frac{1}{2}\right) – 5 = A\left(4 \times \frac{1}{2} – 3\right) + B\left(2 \times \frac{1}{2} – 1\right) \)

\( -1 = -A \)

\( A = 1 \)

To find B, substitute \( x = \frac{3}{4} \).

\( 8\left(\frac{3}{4}\right) – 5 = A\left(4 \times \frac{3}{4} – 3\right) + B\left(2 \times \frac{3}{4} – 1\right) \)

\( 1 = \frac{1}{2}B \)

\( B = 2 \)

3. Hence,

\( f(x) = \frac{1}{2x-1} + \frac{2}{4x-3} \)
Final Answer:
\( f(x) = \frac{1}{2x-1} + \frac{2}{4x-3} \)
Solution to Part b: Integration
Key Concepts Used:
  • Logarithmic Integration:
    \( \int \frac{1}{ax+b} dx = \frac{1}{a} \ln|ax+b| + C \).
Step-by-Step Working:
  1. Integrate Each Term:
    \( \int \left( \frac{1}{2x-1} + \frac{2}{4x-3} \right) dx = \frac{1}{2} \ln|2x-1| + \frac{2}{4} \ln|4x-3| + C \)

    simplified:
    \( \frac{1}{2} \ln|2x-1| + \frac{1}{2} \ln|4x-3| + C \)
  2. Combine Logarithms by taking ½ as a factor:
    \( \frac{1}{2} (\ln|2x-1| + \ln|4x-3|) + C = \frac{1}{2} \ln|(2x-1)(4x-3)| + C \)
Final Answer:
\( \frac{1}{2} \ln|(2x-1)(4x-3)| + C \)
Solution to Part c: Solving for \( k \)
Key Concepts Used:
  • Definite Integral: Use the result from part (b).
  • Logarithmic Properties: Simplify using \( \ln a – \ln b = \ln \left(\frac{a}{b}\right) \).
Step-by-Step Solution
  1. Apply Limits:
    \( \frac{1}{2} [\ln((2x-1)(4x-3))]_{k}^{3k} = \frac{1}{2} \ln 20 \)
  2. Substitute and Simplify:
    \( \frac{1}{2} \ln \frac{(6k-1)(12k-3)}{(2k-1)(4k-3)} = \frac{1}{2} \ln 20 \)
  3. Cancel \( \frac{1}{2} \):
    \( \ln \frac{(6k-1)(12k-3)}{(2k-1)(4k-3)} = \ln 20 \)
  1. Exponentiate Both Sides:

    \( \frac{3(6k-1)(4k-1)}{(2k-1)(4k-3)} = 20 \)
  2. Solve for k:
    Expand and simplify:

    \( 3(24k^2 – 10k + 1) = 20(8k^2 – 10k + 3) \)
    \( 72k^2 – 30k + 3 = 160k^2 – 200k + 60 \)
    \( -88k^2 + 170k – 57 = 0 \)

    Using the quadratic formula:

    \( k = \frac{-170 \pm \sqrt{170^2 – 4(-88)(-57)}}{2(-88)} \)

    Simplified:

    \( k = \frac{170 \pm \sqrt{28900 – 20064}}{176} = \frac{170 \pm \sqrt{8836}}{176} = \frac{170 \pm 94}{176} \)

    Valid solution (\( k > 1 \)):

    \( k = \frac{170 + 94}{176} = \frac{264}{176} = \frac{3}{2} \)
    Why did I reject the second value of k as 19/44? Why \( k > 1 \)?
    Let’s break this to 2 steps.
  1. Domain of the integrated function:
    The function that we integrated \( f(x) = \frac{8x-5}{(2x-1)(4x-3)} \) has vertical asymptotes at:

    • \( x = \frac{1}{2} \) (from \( 2x-1=0 \)),
    • \( x = \frac{3}{4} \) (from \( 4x-3=0 \)).

    For the integral to be proper (i.e., finite and well-defined), the interval [k, 3k] must not include these singularities (values at which function is undefined).

  2. Avoiding Singularities:
    Now the solution we got on solving the quadratic equation of k, has only 3/2 which is greater than ½ and ¾ without violating any condition.
Hence, the solution \( k = \frac{3}{2} \) (found in part (c)) satisfies \( k > 1 \), validating the condition.
Final Answer for (c):
\( \frac{3}{2} \)