What are rational functions?

Rational functions are those functions that are the ratio of two polynomials where the polynomial in the denominator is not equal to zero. Rational functions have many different applications in the field of mathematics as well as in many branches of science and engineering. Let's delve deeper into this topic in this blog.

Answer: Rational functions are those functions that are the ratio of two polynomials where the polynomial in the denominator is not equal to zero.

Let us understand this in detail.

Explanation:

A function, say P(x) / Q(x), is said to be rational if and only if P(x) and Q(x) both are polynomial functions, and Q(x) is not equal to zero.

For example, (x² - 3x + 4) / (x - 1) is an example of rational function. Here, the degree of P(x) is greater than that of Q(x).

Also, (x - 4) / (x³ - x² + 2x + 1) is an example of rational function where, the degree of P(x) is less than that of Q(x).

Similarly, you can find rational functions where the degree of P(x) is equal to that of Q(x).

Hence, rational functions are those functions that are the ratio of two polynomials where the polynomial in the denominator is not equal to zero.