Rational function

In mathematics, a rational function is any function that can be defined by a rational fraction, which is an algebraic fraction such that both the numerator and the denominator are polynomials. The coefficients of the polynomials need not be rational numbers; they may be taken in any field $K$. In this case, one speaks of a rational function and a rational fraction over $K$. The values of the variables may be taken in any field $L$ containing $K$. Then the domain of the function is the set of the values of the variables for which the denominator is not zero, and the codomain is $L$.

The set of rational functions over a field $K$ is a field, the field of fractions of the ring of the polynomial functions over $K$.

1 Definitions

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1.1 Degree

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2 Examples

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3 Taylor series

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4 Abstract algebra and geometric notion

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4.1 Complex rational functions

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4.2 Notion of a rational function on an algebraic variety

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5 Applications

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6 See also

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7 References

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8 External links