what's the reason to flip the reciprocal when working with fractions?

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my teacher is giving us 20 bonus points if we can tell him why we flip the reciprocal when working with fractions

2006-09-19 16:11:16 · 3 answers · asked by kimberly 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics

because the reciprocal multiplied by the fraction equals 1.

2006-09-19 16:14:02 · answer #1 · answered by Daniel M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋

When trying to divide by a fraction, it is easier to take the reciprocal and then multiply.

5 divided by 3/2 is the same as 5 times 2/3.

2006-09-19 23:24:20 · answer #2 · answered by cdf-rom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋

because if eg 2 : (1/2) equal to 2x2

2006-09-19 23:41:33 · answer #3 · answered by speedy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋