Simplifying Rational Functions

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Define a rational function.

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A rational function is a function that can be expressed as the quotient of two polynomials, where the denominator is not zero.

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What is the first step in simplifying a rational function?

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The first step is to factor both the numerator and the denominator completely.

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What does it mean to cancel out in rational functions?

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Canceling out means removing common factors from the numerator and denominator.

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What is the purpose of factoring in rational functions?

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Factoring helps to identify and eliminate common factors, simplifying the expression.

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What is a polynomial?

Back

A polynomial is a mathematical expression consisting of variables, coefficients, and non-negative integer exponents.

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What is the significance of the denominator in a rational function?

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The denominator cannot be zero, as this would make the function undefined.