Reciprocal facts for kids
In mathematics, the reciprocal (or multiplicative inverse) of a number is 1 divided by the number, or equivalently, the number raised to the power of -1 (as in and ). All numbers have a reciprocal except zero, since no number times 0 is 1. Two numbers are reciprocal of each other if and only if their product is 1. For example:
- 2.5 and 0.4 are reciprocals, because 2.5 × 0.4 = 1.
- -0.2 and -5 are reciprocals, because -0.2 × -5 = 1.
- 1 and -1 are their own reciprocals, because 1 × 1 = 1 and -1 × -1 = 1.
To find the reciprocal of a fraction, swap the numerator and the denominator. Whole numbers can be thought as having a denominator of 1. For example:
- The reciprocal of 8 is 1/8 (or 0.125).
- The reciprocal of 5/3 is 3/5 (or 0.6).
- The reciprocal of 1/7 is 7.
- The reciprocal of -9/4 is -4/9.
Dividing a fraction is the same as multiplying its reciprocal and vice versa.
Related pages
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
Reciprocal Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.