What's a Reciprocal?

What's a Reciprocal?

Note:

Reciprocals are important when it comes to dividing fractions, finding perpendicular lines, dealing with inverse proportions, and so much more! In this tutorial you can review the basics about reciprocals.

Keywords:

  • definition
  • reciprocal
  • inverse

Background Tutorials

  • Understand a fraction 1/b as the quantity formed by 1 part when a whole is partitioned into b equal parts; understand a fraction a/b as the quantity formed by a parts of size 1/b

  • Add and subtract mixed numbers with like denominators, e.g., by replacing each mixed number with an equivalent fraction, and/or by using properties of operations and the relationship between addition and subtraction.

      • What's an Improper Fraction?What's an Improper Fraction?

      What's an Improper Fraction?

      Fractions come in all sorts of flavors, and in this tutorial you'll learn how to recognize improper fractions.

  • Interpret the product (a/b) × q as a parts of a partition of q into b equal parts; equivalently, as the result of a sequence of operations a × q ÷ b.

      • How Do You Multiply Fractions?How Do You Multiply Fractions?

      How Do You Multiply Fractions?

      Working with fractions can be intimidating, but if you arm yourself with the right tools, you'll find that working with fractions is no harder than working with basic numbers. In this tutorial you'll see the process for multiplying 3 very simple fractions. Enjoy!

  • Understand that integers can be divided, provided that the divisor is not zero, and every quotient of integers (with non-zero divisor) is a rational number. If p and q are integers, then -(p/q) = (-p)/q = p/(-q). Interpret quotients of rational numbers by describing real-world contexts.

      • Why Can't You Divide By 0?Why Can't You Divide By 0?

      Why Can't You Divide By 0?

      Why can't you divide by 0? This may be one of the most asked math questions. Get this question answered once and for all by watching this tutorial!

Further Exploration

  • Interpret and compute quotients of fractions, and solve word problems involving division of fractions by fractions, e.g., by using visual fraction models and equations to represent the problem.

      • What are Multiplicative Inverses?What are Multiplicative Inverses?

      What are Multiplicative Inverses?

      Multiplicative inverses. That's a mouthful! Really, this term just refers to numbers that when multiplied together equal 1. These numbers are also called reciprocals of each other! Learn about multiplicative inverses by watching this tutorial.

  • Solve linear equations with rational number coefficients, including equations whose solutions require expanding expressions using the distributive property and collecting like terms.