SOLUTION: What is the reciprocal of (-1/2)(8/4)(12)

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Question 88653: What is the reciprocal of (-1/2)(8/4)(12)
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The expression

%28-1%2F2%29%288%2F4%29%2812%29

really looks like

%28-1%2F2%29%288%2F4%29%2812%2F1%29


Multiply the numerators and the denominators separately
%28-1%2A8%2A12%29%2F%282%2A4%2A1%29

%28-1%2A8%2A12%29%2F%288%29 Multiply the denominator

%28-1%2Across%288%29%2A12%29%2Fcross%288%29 Cancel like terms

-12%2F1 Simplify

-1%2F12 Now take the reciprocal