Question:medium

$$ \int \frac{1}{(x-3)(x-7)} \, dx = ? $$

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Always subtract the smaller constant from the larger constant ($7 - 3$) to determine the coefficient in front of the logarithm.
Updated On: Apr 29, 2026
  • $\frac{1}{4} \log \left( \frac{x+7}{x+3} \right) + c$
  • $\frac{1}{4} \log \left( \frac{x-7}{x+3} \right) + c$
  • $\frac{1}{4} \log \left( \frac{x-7}{x-3} \right) + c$
  • None
Show Solution

The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

To solve the integral \(\int \frac{1}{(x-3)(x-7)} \, dx\), we will use partial fraction decomposition. The integrand can be decomposed as follows:

First, express \(\frac{1}{(x-3)(x-7)}\) in terms of partial fractions:

\(\frac{1}{(x-3)(x-7)} = \frac{A}{x-3} + \frac{B}{x-7}\),

where \(A\) and \(B\) are constants that we need to determine. Multiply through by the denominator \((x-3)(x-7)\) to eliminate the fractions:

\(1 = A(x - 7) + B(x - 3)\).

Expanding the equation gives:

\(1 = Ax - 7A + Bx - 3B\)

Combine like terms:

\(1 = (A + B)x - (7A + 3B)\)

By comparing coefficients, we get two equations:

  1. \(A + B = 0\)
  2. \(-7A - 3B = 1\)

From the first equation, \(B = -A\). Substitute this into the second equation:

\(-7A - 3(-A) = 1\)

This simplifies to:

\(-7A + 3A = 1 \rightarrow -4A = 1 \rightarrow A = -\frac{1}{4}\)

Substituting \(A = -\frac{1}{4}\) into \(B = -A\) gives:

\(B = \frac{1}{4}\)

Thus, the partial fraction decomposition of the integrand is:

\(\frac{1}{(x-3)(x-7)} = \frac{-\frac{1}{4}}{x-3} + \frac{\frac{1}{4}}{x-7}\)

The integral becomes:

\(\int \left(-\frac{1}{4(x-3)} + \frac{1}{4(x-7)}\right) \, dx\)

We can integrate each term separately:

\(\int -\frac{1}{4(x-3)} \, dx = -\frac{1}{4} \log |x-3| + C_1\)

\(\int \frac{1}{4(x-7)} \, dx = \frac{1}{4} \log |x-7| + C_2\)

Thus, the integral evaluates to:

\(-\frac{1}{4} \log |x-3| + \frac{1}{4} \log |x-7| + C\)

Combining the terms, we have:

\(\frac{1}{4} \log \left(\frac{x-7}{x-3}\right) + C\)

Therefore, the correct option is:

\(\frac{1}{4} \log \left( \frac{x-7}{x-3} \right) + c\)

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