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partial fraction

American  

noun

Algebra.

  1. one of the fractions into which a given fraction can be resolved, the sum of such simpler fractions being equal to the given fraction.

    Partial fractions of 5/(x2−x) are 5/(x−1) and −5/x.
partial fraction British  

noun

  1. maths one of a set of fractions into which a more complicated fraction can be resolved

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of partial fraction

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

TRY IT #6 Find the partial fraction decomposition of the expression with a nonrepeating irreducible quadratic factor.

From Textbooks • Sep. 23, 2020

TRY IT #7 Find the partial fraction decomposition of the expression with a repeated irreducible quadratic factor.

From Textbooks • Sep. 23, 2020

As we see in the next example, it may be possible to apply the technique of partial fraction decomposition to a nonrational function.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

For the following exercises, write the partial fraction decomposition.

From Textbooks • Feb. 13, 2015

Although this method is not seen very often in textbooks, we present it here as an alternative that may make some partial fraction decompositions easier.

From Textbooks • Feb. 13, 2015

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.