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==Abstract algebra and geometric notion== <!-- Rational expression redirects here -->
In [[abstract algebra]] the concept of a polynomial is extended to include formal expressions in which the coefficients of the polynomial can be taken from any [[field (mathematics)|field]]. In this setting given a field ''F'' and some indeterminate ''X'', a '''rational expression''' (also known as a '''rational fraction''' or, in [[algebraic geometry]], a '''rational function''') is any element of the [[field of fractions]] of the [[polynomial ring]] ''F''[''X'']. Any rational expression can be written as the quotient of two polynomials ''P''/''Q'' with ''Q'' ≠ 0, although this representation isn't unique. ''P''/''Q'' is equivalent to ''R''/''S'', for polynomials ''P'', ''Q'', ''R'', and ''S'', when ''PS'' = ''QR''. However, since ''F''[''X''] is a [[unique factorization ___domain]], there is a [[irreducible fraction|unique representation]] for any rational expression ''P''/''Q'' with ''P'' and ''Q'' polynomials of lowest degree and ''Q'' chosen to be [[monic polynomial|monic]]. This is similar to how a [[Fraction (mathematics)|fraction]] of integers can always be written uniquely in lowest terms by canceling out common factors.
The field of rational expressions is denoted ''F''(''X''). This field is said to be generated (as a field) over ''F'' by (a [[transcendental element]]) ''X'', because ''F''(''X'') does not contain any proper subfield containing both ''F'' and the element ''X''.
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