Math Is Fun Forum

Sari

Member

Registered: 2005-12-07

Posts: 9

Reciprocal help!

I understand that to find the reciprocal of something you switch the numerator with the denominator, but how would you solve a more complex problem like this?

Find the reciprocal of:   (-1/2)(6/3)

Thanks!
Sari

darthradius

Member

Registered: 2005-11-28

Posts: 97

Re: Reciprocal help!

(6/3)=2...
2(-1/2)=-1...
the reciprocal of -1 is always -1

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The greatest challenge to any thinker is stating the problem in a way that will allow a solution.
                                                             -Bertrand Russell

Sari

Member

Registered: 2005-12-07

Posts: 9

Re: Reciprocal help!

Thank you!

I switched it and got -0/1, but that didn't make sense. I forgot the rule that -1 is always -1.

irspow

Member

Registered: 2005-11-24

Posts: 1,055

Re: Reciprocal help!

All "whole" numbers have a denominator of 1 not 0.

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I am at an age where I have forgotten more than I remember, but I still pretend to know it all.