Rational Functions

Rational functions are mathematical expressions formed by dividing one polynomial by another. In simpler terms, they can be thought of as fractions where both the top (numerator) and bottom (denominator) are polynomials. These functions can represent various relationships and are useful in fields such as economics and physics. A key feature is that they can have points where they are undefined, typically where the denominator equals zero, leading to asymptotes—lines the graph approaches but never touches. Understanding rational functions helps in analyzing trends and behaviors in different contexts.