
<A NAME=RATIONAL>

<TITLE>RATIONAL</TITLE></A>
<b><a href=r37_idx.html>INDEX</a></b><p><p>



<B>RATIONAL</B> _ _ _  _ _ _  _ _ _  _ _ _ <B>switch</B><P>
<P>
 
 <P>
<P>
When <em>rational</em> is on, polynomial expressions with rational coefficients 

are produced. 
<P>
<P>
 <P> <H3> 
examples: </H3>
<P><PRE><TT>
x/2 + 3*y/4; 

  2*X + 3*Y
  --------- 
      4


(x**2 + 5*x + 17)/2; 

   2
  X  + 5*X + 17
  ------------- 
        2


on rational; 

x/2 + 3y/4; 

  1      3
  -*(X + -*Y) 
  2      2


(x**2 + 5*x + 17)/2; 

  1   2
  -*(X  + 5*X + 17)
  2

</TT></PRE><P>By using <em>rational</em>, polynomial expressions with rational 
coefficients can be used in some commands that expect polynomials. With 
<em>rational</em> off, such a polynomial becomes a rational expression, with 
denominator the least common multiple of the denominators of the rational 
number coefficients. <P>
<P>

<P>
<P>
