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In algebra, the partial fraction decomposition or partial fraction expansion of a rational fraction (that is, a fraction such that the numerator and the denominator are both polynomials) is an operation that consists of expressing the fraction as a sum of a polynomial (possibly zero) and one or several fractions with a simpler denominator. [1]
If the discriminant is zero the fraction converges to the single root of multiplicity two. If the discriminant is positive the equation has two real roots, and the continued fraction converges to the larger (in absolute value) of these. The rate of convergence depends on the absolute value of the ratio between the two roots: the farther that ...
In mathematics, the lowest common denominator or least common denominator (abbreviated LCD) is the lowest common multiple of the denominators of a set of fractions. It simplifies adding, subtracting, and comparing fractions.
A simple fraction (also known as a common fraction or vulgar fraction) [n 1] is a rational number written as a/b or , where a and b are both integers. [9] As with other fractions, the denominator (b) cannot be zero. Examples include 1 / 2 , − 8 / 5 , −8 / 5 , and 8 / −5 .
Simplifying this further gives us the solution x = −3. It is easily checked that none of the zeros of x ( x + 1)( x + 2) – namely x = 0 , x = −1 , and x = −2 – is a solution of the final equation, so no spurious solutions were introduced.
Plain text, programming languages, and calculators also use a single asterisk to represent the multiplication symbol, [6] and it must be explicitly used; for example, 3x is written as 3 * x. Rather than using the ambiguous division sign (÷), [ a ] division is usually represented with a vinculum , a horizontal line, as in 3 / x + 1 .
An irrational fraction is one that contains the variable under a fractional exponent. [12] An example of an irrational fraction is / / /. The process of transforming an irrational fraction to a rational fraction is known as rationalization.
Another meaning for generalized continued fraction is a generalization to higher dimensions. For example, there is a close relationship between the simple continued fraction in canonical form for the irrational real number α, and the way lattice points in two dimensions lie to either side of the line y = αx. Generalizing this idea, one might ...