Definition:Rational Function/Real
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Definition
Let $P: \R \to \R$ and $Q: \R \to \R$ be polynomial functions on the set of real numbers.
Let $S$ be the set $\R$ from which all the roots of $Q$ have been removed.
That is:
- $S = \R \setminus \set {x \in \R: \map Q x = 0}$.
Then the equation $y = \dfrac {\map P x} {\map Q x}$ defines a function from $S$ to $\R$.
Such a function is known as a rational function.
Sources
- 1977: K.G. Binmore: Mathematical Analysis: A Straightforward Approach ... (previous) ... (next): $\S 7.6$