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How to Find a Reciprocal Fraction

In mathematics, reciprocals are concerned with just one value -- the value of one. The reciprocal of any number is a value that when multiplied to the original number results in a product of one. Most often, a number's reciprocal will result in the form of a fraction. Whether finding the reciprocal of a fraction or the reciprocal fraction of a whole number, the process comes down to simply turning the number upside-down.

Instructions

    • 1

      Switch the places of the numerator and denominator to find the reciprocal of regular and improper fractions, which is a fraction that has a numerator greater in value than its denominator. For an example, the reciprocal of 3/4 is 4/3.

    • 2

      Rewrite a mixed number, which is an integer and a fraction, into an improper fraction, then find the improper fraction's reciprocal. To make the number an improper fraction, multiply the integer of the fraction by the denominator, add that product to the numerator, then place the sum as a numerator over the original denominator. For example, to convert the mixed number is 5 2/3, multiply 5 by 3 to obtain 15, then add 15 to 2 to result in 17. Placing 17 as the new numerator over the original denominator results in 17/3. Switching the numerator and denominator results in 3/17.

    • 3

      Convert a whole number into a denominator of a fraction that has 1 as a numerator to find its reciprocal fraction. For an example, the reciprocal of 11 is 1/11.

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