SOLUTION: what is the reciprocal of -3.7? How do you check that? thank you carley

Algebra ->  Numeric Fractions Calculators, Lesson and Practice -> SOLUTION: what is the reciprocal of -3.7? How do you check that? thank you carley      Log On


   

Question 5228: what is the reciprocal of -3.7? How do you check that?
thank you
carley
Answer by longjonsilver(2297) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
reciprical is 1 divided by...

so reciprical of 3 is 1/3
so reciprical of 2/5 is 1/(2/5) --> 5/2

a number * its reciprical = 1 ... by definition

so, -3.7 is -3(7/10) which is -37/10, written as a fraction. So, its reciprical is instantly seen to be -10/37 (-0.270270270 as a decimal).

Check...multiply -3.7 by -0.270270270 --> get the answer of 1.

Hope this is clear? :-)

jon.