How do you find the reciprocal of 6?

1 Answer
Oct 24, 2016

The reciprocal of #6/1 " is " 1/6 " "rarr 6/1 xx 1/6 =1#

Explanation:

Another name for a 'reciprocal' is a 'multiplicative inverse', or 'multiplying opposite'

When you multiply any number by its reciprocal, they cancel each other out and you are left with a product of #1#.

The reciprocal of #2/3 " is " 3/2 " "rarr 2/3 xx3/2 = 1#

The reciprocal of #-5/2 " is " -2/5 " "rarr -5/2 xx -2/5 = 1#

The reciprocal of #a/b " is " b/a " "rarr a/b xx b/a = 1#

This is the same for whole numbers as well: #6 = 6/1#

The reciprocal of #6/1 " is " 1/6 " "rarr 6/1 xx 1/6 =1#