What is "partial fraction"

Fraction \Frac"tion\, n. [F. fraction, L. fractio a breaking, fr. frangere, fractum, to break. See Break.]

1. The act of breaking, or state of being broken, especially by violence. [Obs.]

   Neither can the natural body of Christ be subject to any fraction or breaking up.
   --Foxe.

2. A portion; a fragment.

   Some niggard fractions of an hour.
   --Tennyson.

3. (Arith. or Alg.) One or more aliquot parts of a unit or whole number; an expression for a definite portion of a unit or magnitude.

   Common fraction, or Vulgar fraction, a fraction in which the number of equal parts into which the integer is supposed to be divided is indicated by figures or letters, called the denominator, written below a line, over which is the numerator, indicating the number of these parts included in the fraction; as 1/2, one half, 2/5, two fifths.

   Complex fraction, a fraction having a fraction or mixed number in the numerator or denominator, or in both.
   --Davies & Peck.

   Compound fraction, a fraction of a fraction; two or more fractions connected by of.

   Continued fraction, Decimal fraction, Partial fraction, etc. See under Continued, Decimal, Partial, etc.

   Improper fraction, a fraction in which the numerator is greater than the denominator.

   Proper fraction, a fraction in which the numerator is less than the denominator.

n. (context mathematics English) Any of several fractions to the sum of which a single fraction is equal.