2007-01-26 22:19:49 · 11 answers · asked by bornagainandy 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
A reciprocal is the multiplicative inverse of a function. What does this mean? Well it's what you multiply a function by to make it one. Let's say for example you have f(x) = x then the reciprocal of that is 1/x because (1/x)*x = 1
You can also find the reciprocal of other functions such as f2(x) = x + 3 so then one way to find the reciprocal is to add a new variable we say r is the reciprocal of this function so (x+3)*r = 1 so the reciprocal of f2(x) = 1/(x+3)
2007-01-26 22:36:15 · answer #1 · answered by thexgodfatherx69 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The reciprocal just means 1 divided by something. The reciprocal of x is 1 divided by x.
In a fraction a/b, the reciprocal is b/a.
2007-01-27 06:24:14 · answer #2 · answered by Gnomon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The recprical of a number is 1 over that number.
EG The reciprocal of 2 is 1 /2 = 0.5
The reciprocal of 25 is 1/25 = 0.4
Really seems meaningless until you want to muliply or divide by something.
Say you want to divide 300 by 250 easy multiply 300 by the reciprocal of 250 = 0.04 = 1.2 - elementary mental arithmetic taught at primary school.
2007-01-29 16:49:44 · answer #3 · answered by Andy S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You do 1 divided by the number that you have been asked to find the reciprocal of.
For example the reciprocal of 5 is 1 divided 5 which you can write as 1/5 'one fifth' or 0.2.
2007-01-27 06:40:43 · answer #4 · answered by helenlouiset 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Suppose there is a no. The no. is its Numerator/Denominator. Suppose the numerator is 6 and its Denominator is 1. Its Reciprocal would be Denominator/Numerator.So, the Reciprocal would be 1/6. U can work like-Divide 1 by the no. and then you'll get the Reciprocal.
2007-01-27 06:28:10 · answer #5 · answered by ArindagR8 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
reciprocals are the multiplicative inverse of a number
the reciprocal of 2 would be 1/2
reciprocal of 3 would be 1/3
u take 1 divided by the number and u get the reciprocal of that number
2007-01-27 06:24:38 · answer #6 · answered by pigley 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A reciprocal is a fraction in the form 1/x. x can be any number though - it doesn't have to be a whole number.
So 1/3, 1/62, 1/0.5 and 1/0.004 are all reciprocals.
Most calculators have a reciprocal function on them. Have a look at the instruction manual.
2007-01-28 11:35:38 · answer #7 · answered by Elaine 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A reciprocal is the number that produces 1 when you multiply them. Divide the number into 1 and you'll get its reciprocal.
2007-01-27 06:33:48 · answer #8 · answered by CLICKHEREx 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The reciprocal of K = 1/K and K x 1/K = 1
Example 1
Number 7 has reciprocal 1/7 and 7 x 1/7 = 1
Example 2
Number 1/4 has reciprocal 4 and 1/4 x 4 = 1
2007-01-27 06:29:24 · answer #9 · answered by Como 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you multiply a number by it's reciprocal, the product is 1
so three times one third is one....they are reciprocals.
to work them out, turn the number to a fraction (ratio) and reverse the numbers
so 4/1 becomes 1/4
and 5/6 becomes 6/5
2007-01-27 06:24:26 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋