Year 7 Interactive Maths - Second Edition

The Reciprocal of a Number

One number is the reciprocal of another if their product is 1.

In general:

The reciprocal of a fraction is obtained by interchanging the numerator and the denominator, i.e. by inverting the fraction.

Example 7

Find the reciprocal of 20.

Solution:

Example 8

Solution:

Example 9

Solution:

Note:

To find the reciprocal of a mixed number, change it into an improper fraction and then invert it.

Key Term

reciprocal