Reciprocals are everywhere! How do you find them?

A reciprocal is indeed very valuable in many math calculations!  Before we can properly use it, however, we must understand what it is.  

A reciprocal is simply 1 divided that number.  For example, the reciprocal of 2 is 1 divided by 2, or 1/2.  The reciprocal of 4 is 1/4.  The reciprocal of 25 is 1/25.  Notice how dividing by 1 to find the reciprocal actually flips that number, so it is now on the bottom.

Negative numbers also have reciprocals and are calculated the same way.  For example, the reciprocal of -6 = -1/6.  The reciprocal of -9 = -1/9.

Every number has a reciprocal except 0.  We know that it is not possible to divide any number by 0.  1/0 is undefined.

In our next post, we will see how reciprocals can be used to simplify our calculations!  😀