Rationalization

Noun

1. The process or result of rationalizing, or expressing in rational terms.

   "Some rationalization of the language of his lectures is, of course, necessary."

2. A statement of one's motives, or of the causes of some event.

   "Her self-flagellating rationalization for the theft was mostly ignored by the jury."

3. The reorganization of a company or organization in order to improve its efficiency through the reallocation of resources and changes in its workforce.

   "It began with the familiar political motives of civil service rationalization and downsizing."

4. The concealment of true motivation in some non-threatening way.
5. The simplification of an expression without changing its value.

   "Here, the rationalization of the denominator was unnecessary."