What is the opposite and reciprocal of 7?

1 Answer
Jun 27, 2015

The opposite of #7# is #-7#

The reciprocal of #7# is #1/7#

Explanation:

The opposite is the additive inverse.

#7 + (-7) = 0# where #0# is the identity for addition.

If you picture the real numbers on a line with #0# in the centre, the opposite of a number is on the opposite side of #0# at the same distance.

The reciprocal is the multiplicative inverse.

#7 * (1/7) = 1# where #1# is the identity for multiplication.

When you are dealing with fractions, just swap the top and bottom to form the reciprocal. For example, the reciprocal of #2/3# is #3/2#.