(19x - 2)/((5 - x)(1 + 6x)) can be expressed as A/(5-x) + B/(1+6x) where A and B are integers. Find A and B

First we can equate (19x - 2)/((5 - x)(1 + 6x)) to A/(5-x) + B/(1+6x) which means:
(19x - 2)/((5 - x)(1 + 6x)) = A/(5-x) + B/(1+6x). Then we will turn the RHS into a single fraction:

(19x - 2)/((5 - x)(1 + 6x)) = (A(1+6x) + B(5-x))/((5 - x)(1 + 6x)). Since the denominator on RHS = denominator on LHS, the numerators on both sides must be equal to:

19x - 2 = A(1+6x) + B(5-x). Now we can use the method of undetermined coefficients which means to match the coefficients of the powers of x and use the information to solve for A and B. 19x = (6A - B)x and -2 = A +5B. From this we can gather: A = -5B - 2 and 19 = 6A - B 

substitue in for A: 19 = 6*(-5B -2) -B.        simlifying gives: 31 = -31B therefore B = -1 and      A = -5*(-1) -2, hence A is 3.

A = 3 , B = -1

TS
Answered by Tarek S. Maths tutor

3294 Views

See similar Maths A Level tutors

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

Earth is being added to a pile so that, when the height of the pile is h metres, its volume is V cubic metres, where V = (h6 + 16) 1 2 − 4.Find the value of dV/dh when h = 2.


Find the determinant of a 2*2 matrix.


Is a line ax+by+c=0 tangent to a circle?


Given y= sqrt(x) + 4/sqrt(x) + 4 , find dy/dx when x=8 giving your answer in form Asqrt(2) where A is a rational number.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning