Multiplying any number by its reciprocal will result in a product of one. Derived from the multiplicative identity, which says that one multiplied to any number will equal the original number, reciprocals work backwards to find the product of one that both numbers share. A simple mathematical process that requires either quick division or fractional construction or manipulation, making a number's reciprocal aids you in creating a single product of one --- whatever the involved numbers are.
Instructions
-
-
1
Write a fraction with the number you want to find the reciprocal of as the denominator, and 1 as the numerator. For example, the number 3 has a reciprocal of 1/3.
-
2
Invert the numerator and denominator to find a fraction's reciprocal. For example, for the fraction 1/2, the reciprocal is 2/1, which is the same as 2.
-
-
3
Divide 1 by a decimal to find the decimal's reciprocal. For example, dividing 1 by 2.5 or 1/2.5, equals 0.4. The reciprocal of 2.5 is 0.4.