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Concept
Algebraic fraction
Summary
In algebra, an algebraic fraction is a fraction whose numerator and denominator are algebraic expressions. Two examples of algebraic fractions are and . Algebraic fractions are subject to the same laws as arithmetic fractions.
A rational fraction is an algebraic fraction whose numerator and denominator are both polynomials. Thus is a rational fraction, but not because the numerator contains a square root function.
In the algebraic fraction , the dividend a is called the numerator and the divisor b is called the denominator. The numerator and denominator are called the terms of the algebraic fraction.
A complex fraction is a fraction whose numerator or denominator, or both, contains a fraction. A simple fraction contains no fraction either in its numerator or its denominator. A fraction is in lowest terms if the only factor common to the numerator and the denominator is 1.
An expression which is not in fractional form is an integral expression. An integral expression can always be written in fractional form by giving it the denominator 1. A mixed expression is the algebraic sum of one or more integral expressions and one or more fractional terms.
Rational function
If the expressions a and b are polynomials, the algebraic fraction is called a rational algebraic fraction or simply rational fraction. Rational fractions are also known as rational expressions. A rational fraction is called proper if , and improper otherwise. For example, the rational fraction is proper, and the rational fractions and are improper. Any improper rational fraction can be expressed as the sum of a polynomial (possibly constant) and a proper rational fraction. In the first example of an improper fraction one has
where the second term is a proper rational fraction. The sum of two proper rational fractions is a proper rational fraction as well. The reverse process of expressing a proper rational fraction as the sum of two or more fractions is called resolving it into partial fractions. For example,
Here, the two terms on the right are called partial fractions.
Official source
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