An Extremal Problem for the Derivative of a Rational Function

Erdős' well-known problem on the maximum absolute value of the derivative of a polynomial on a connected lemniscate is extended to the case of a rational function. Moreover, under the assumption that certain lemniscates are connected, a sharp upper bound for the absolute value of the derivative of a rational function at any point in the plane different from the poles is found. The role of the extremal function is played by an appropriate Zolotarev fraction.