A computational tool designed to reverse the process of adding or subtracting fractions with polynomial denominators. It breaks down a rational function into simpler fractions. For instance, a complex expression like (3x+5)/(x^2+x-2) can be deconstructed into A/(x+2) + B/(x-1), where the calculator determines the values of A and B.
This technique streamlines integration in calculus, simplifies analysis in control systems engineering, and aids in solving difference equations in discrete mathematics. Its historical roots lie in the development of algebraic methods for manipulating rational expressions, evolving alongside the growth of symbolic computation.