Partial Fractions [1]

Partial fractions help us split big fractions into smaller fractions.

The formula to break down a fraction is shown as below:

𝑏−𝑎
Given a fraction of form 𝑎×𝑏, it can be split up as follows:

𝑏−𝑎 𝑏 𝑎 1 1
= − = −
𝑎×𝑏 𝑎×𝑏 𝑎×𝑏 𝑎 𝑏

For example,

1 1 4−3 4 3 1 1
= = = − = −
12 3 × 4 3 × 4 3 × 4 3 × 4 3 4

Why must we split fractions into partial fractions?

Ans: So that we can compute sum of fractions easily.

1 1 1 1
Example: Find the value of + 2×3 + ⋯ + 8×9 + 9×10.
1×2

𝑏−𝑎
Given a basic sum involving fractions, each of form 𝑎×𝑏, the formula is shown as below:

1
Sum = (1st fraction – Last fraction)
Difference in denominator

Exercise:
1 1 1 1
1. Find the value of + 2×3 + 3×4 + ⋯ + 2020×2021.
1×2

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Partial Fractions [2]

1 1 1 1
2. Find the value of + + + ⋯+ .
5×10 10×15 15×20 2015×2020

1 1 1 1 1
3. Find the value of + 28 + 70 + 130 + ⋯ + 997000 .
4

1 1 1 1
4. Find the value of + 2×3×4 + 3×4×5 +. . . + 98×99×100.
1×2×3

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Partial Fractions [3]

1 1 1 1
5. Find the value of + + + ⋯+ .
2×4×6 4×6×8 6×8×10 96×98×100

1 1 1 1
6. Find the value of 1×2×3×4 + 2×3×4×5 + 3×4×5×6 + ⋯ + 17×18×19×20.

𝑏−𝑎 𝑏+𝑎
Besides breaking down fractions of form 𝑎×𝑏, we can also decompose fractions of form 𝑎×𝑏:

𝑏+𝑎
Given a fraction of form 𝑎×𝑏, it can be split up as follows:

𝑏+𝑎 𝑏 𝑎 1 1
= + = +
𝑎×𝑏 𝑎×𝑏 𝑎×𝑏 𝑎 𝑏

For example,

5 2+3 3 2 1 1
= = + = +
6 2×3 2×3 2×3 2 3

5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21
7. What is the value of 1 − 6 + 12 − 20 + 30 − 42 + 56 − 72 + 90 − 110?

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Partial Fractions [4]

5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25
8. Find the value of − + − + − + − + − + .
6 12 20 30 42 56 72 90 110 132 156

6 10 14 18 4038 4042
9. Find the value of 2×4 − 4×6 + 6×8 − 8×10 + ⋯ + 2018×2020 − 2020×2022.

5 11 17 4025 4031 4037

10. Evaluate − 4×7 + 7×10 − ⋯ + 2011×2014 − 2014×2017 + 2017×2020.
1×4

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Partial Fractions [5]

5 8 11 7 17 20 23 13
11. Find the value of − + − + − + − .
6 15 30 24 72 99 132 84

3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17
12. Find the value of 4 − 12 + 24 − 40 + 60 − 84 + 112 − 144.

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Partial Fractions [6]

Ready for some challenge?

Example: Evaluate
1 1 1 1 1 1
+ + + + ⋯+ +
1 × 4 2 × 6 3 × 8 4 × 10 8 × 18 9 × 20

Exercise:
1 1 1 1 1
1. Evaluate 2 + 2+4 + 2+4+6 + 2+4+6+8 + 2+4+6+8+10

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Partial Fractions [7]

2. Find the value of

1 1 1 1 1 1
+ 1+2 + 1+2+3 + 1+2+3+4 + ⋯ + 1+2+3+⋯+99 + 1+2+3+⋯+99+100.
1

1 1 1 1 1 1
3. Find the value of + + + +⋯+ + .
18 36 60 90 2610 2790

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Partial Fractions [8]

2 1 1 2 1 1
4. Find the value of 2 + + + + + ⋯+ + .
3 3 5 15 390 410

1 3 1 1 3 1 3
5. Find the value of 1 + 2 + 10 + 5 + 7 + 28 + ⋯ + 1650 + 5050.

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