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5. Rational Expressions

The quotient of two polynomials is called a rational expression. Rational expressions are defined for all values of the variables except those that make the denominator equal to zero. That is, a rational expression has a domain that excludes division by zero. Examples:

 x2 
————                domain, all y ≠ 0
 y3

 x2 - 5x + 6
—————————————       domain, all x ≠ -2
   x3 + 8

 4x - 1
————————            domain, all x ≠ 1 or -1
 x2 - 1

5.1. Fundamentals
5.2. Operations on rational expressions
5.3. Reduction to simplest form
5.4. Approximation of irrational numbers
5.5. Solved Problems


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Copyright © 2004, Stephen R. Schmitt