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Multiple Choice
Evaluate the integral.
A
B
C
D
Verified step by step guidance
1
Rewrite the integrand by factoring the denominator. The denominator x^3 - x can be factored as x(x^2 - 1), which further factors into x(x - 1)(x + 1). This gives the integrand as (-6x^2 + 3x + 5) / [x(x - 1)(x + 1)].
Decompose the fraction into partial fractions. Write (-6x^2 + 3x + 5) / [x(x - 1)(x + 1)] as A/x + B/(x - 1) + C/(x + 1), where A, B, and C are constants to be determined.
Multiply through by the denominator x(x - 1)(x + 1) to eliminate the fractions. This results in the equation -6x^2 + 3x + 5 = A(x - 1)(x + 1) + Bx(x + 1) + Cx(x - 1). Expand and collect like terms to solve for A, B, and C.
Once A, B, and C are determined, rewrite the integral as the sum of three simpler integrals: ∫(A/x) dx + ∫(B/(x - 1)) dx + ∫(C/(x + 1)) dx. Each of these integrals can be solved using the natural logarithm rule: ∫(1/u) du = ln|u| + C.
Combine the results of the three integrals into a single expression, simplifying the coefficients of the logarithmic terms. Ensure the final answer is in the form -5ln|x| + 4ln|x + 1| + 7ln|x - 1| + C.