algebraic fraction

noun

UK /ˌældʒɪˈbreɪɪk ˈfrækʃən/

US /ˌældʒəˈbreɪɪk ˈfrækʃən/

A fraction that has letters and numbers in it.

The teacher wrote the algebraic fraction (x + 2)/3 on the board.

SYNONYMS

rational expression fractional expression literal fraction algebraic ratio

RELATED WORDS

numerator denominator polynomial variable simplification

OTHER MEANINGS

2. A quotient of two algebraic expressions.

Simplifying the algebraic fraction (x² - 1)/(x - 1) gives x + 1.

3. A fraction whose numerator or denominator contains a variable.

The expression 5/(y + 3) is an algebraic fraction because it has a variable in the denominator.

4. A ratio of polynomials written in fraction form.

In algebra class, we learned to add algebraic fractions by finding a common denominator.