College Algebra (6th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-32178-228-3
ISBN 13: 978-0-32178-228-1

Chapter 5 - Systems of Equations and Inequalities - Exercise Set 5.3 - Page 549: 14

Answer

$ \displaystyle \frac{6}{x-3}+\frac{3}{x+5}$

Work Step by Step

First, factor the trinomial in the denominator (Two factors of $-15$ that add to $+2$ are $5$ and $-3$) $\displaystyle \frac{9x+21}{(x-4)(x+5)}=...$ (see p.541: Include one partial fraction with a $constant$ numerator for each distinct linear factor in the denominator.) $\displaystyle \frac{9x+21}{(x-4)(x+5)}=\frac{A}{x-3}+\frac{B}{x+5}$ multiply both sides with $(x-3)(x+5)\quad $(LCD) $9x+21=A(x+5)+B(x-3)$ $ 9x+21=Ax+5A+Bx-34B\qquad$ /group like terms... $9x+21=x(A+B)+(5A-3B)$ ... we now equate the coefficients of like powers... $\left\{\begin{array}{ll} I. & 9=A+B\\ II. & 21=5A-3B \end{array}\right.\qquad $solve the system $(II+3\times I)$ eliminates $B...$ $21+27=3A-5A+3B-3B$ $48=8A$ $A=6$ back substitute: $9=A+B$ $9=6+B$ $B=3$ Rewrite the setup decomposition with $A=6, B=3$ $\displaystyle \frac{9x+21}{(x-4)(x+5)}= \frac{6}{x-3}+\frac{3}{x+5}$
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