rational function

American  

noun

Mathematics.

1. a function that can be written as the quotient of two polynomials with integral coefficients.

---

Etymology

Origin of rational function

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

The domain of a rational function is all real numbers except for those values that would cause division by zero.

From Textbooks • May 6, 2020

To evaluate the limits at infinity for a rational function, we divide the numerator and denominator by the highest power of x appearing in the denominator.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

This is not always true, but it does hold for all polynomials for any choice of a and for all rational functions at all values of a for which the rational function is defined.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

At this point, by combining the differentiation rules, we may find the derivatives of any polynomial or rational function.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

By a rational function of quantities p, q, r, ... is meant a function formed from them and any of the fundamental rational quantities by a finite number of the five fundamental operations.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 4 "Diameter" to "Dinarchus" by Various