SOLUTION: what positive number is the same as its reciprocal?
Algebra
->
Real-numbers
-> SOLUTION: what positive number is the same as its reciprocal?
Log On
Algebra: Real numbers, Irrational numbers, etc
Section
Solvers
Solvers
Lessons
Lessons
Answers archive
Answers
Click here to see ALL problems on real-numbers
Question 773866
:
what positive number is the same as its reciprocal?
Answer by
jim_thompson5910(35256)
(
Show Source
):
You can
put this solution on YOUR website!
a/b = b/a
a*a = b*b
a^2 = b^2
a^2 - b^2 = 0
(a - b)(a+b) = 0
a-b=0 or a+b = 0
a = b or a = -b
if a = b, then a/b = b/a turns into 1 = 1. Similarly, if a = -b, then we get -1 = -1
So the number 1 is the only positive number that has an equal reciprocal.