Question

I've got a really quick question on partial fraction decomposition. On http://www.purplemath.com/modules/partfrac.htm
on the second section where the author introduces the alternate method of "finding zeroing values". Does this method work for all fraction decompositions, disregarding repeated unfactorable quadratics and improper fractions?

Answer 1

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Answer 2

You can always pick a convenient x value to cancel out terms and make equations with 3 unknowns fall down to 1. Whatever is convenient. So, to answer your question, yes.

Answer 3

Thank You. My teacher taught a method that used vertical asymptotes, but it only worked with problems with linear factors in the denominator.

Answer 4

Hmmm..yeah. I typically use a combination. Because sometimes you can choose x's to zero it out but sometimes you can't (in the same problem ?!). So it becomes a matter of convenience.

Answer 5

Nice avatar btw.