Multiplicative Inverse

Pronunciation: /ˈmʌl.tɪ.plɪˌkeɪ.tɪv ˈɪn.vɜrs/ Explain

The multiplicative inverse of r is a number r^-1 such that r · r^-1 = 1.^[2] The number 1 is used here because it is the multiplicative identity.

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The negative exponent is used to indicate division. So r^-1 = 1/r, which indicates that r^-1 is the multiplicative inverse of r. The reciprocal of a number is the same as the multiplicative inverse of a number.

Examples of multiplicative inverses:

References

1. McAdams, David E.. All Math Words Dictionary, multiplicative inverse. 2nd Classroom edition 20150108-4799968. pg 121. Life is a Story Problem LLC. January 8, 2015. Buy the book
2. Bettinger, Alvin K. and Englund, John A.. Algebra and Trigonometry. pp 4-6. www.archive.org. Last Accessed 9/2/2018. http://www.archive.org/stream/algebraandtrigon033520mbp#page/n18/mode/1up. Buy the book

More Information

• McAdams, David E.. Exponent. allmathwords.org. All Math Words Encyclopedia. Life is a Story Problem LLC. 3/12/2009. https://www.allmathwords.org/en/e/exponent.html.

Cite this article as:

McAdams, David E. Multiplicative Inverse. 4/25/2019. All Math Words Encyclopedia. Life is a Story Problem LLC. https://www.allmathwords.org/en/m/multiplicativeinverse.html.

Image Credits

• All images and manipulatives are by David McAdams unless otherwise stated. All images by David McAdams are Copyright © Life is a Story Problem LLC and are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Revision History

4/25/2019: Changed equations and expressions to new format. (McAdams, David E.)
12/21/2018: Reviewed and corrected IPA pronunication. (McAdams, David E.)
9/4/2018: Removed broken links, updated license, implemented new markup. (McAdams, David E.)
8/7/2018: Changed vocabulary links to WORDLINK format. (McAdams, David E.)
3/22/2008: Changed More Information section to current standards. (McAdams, David E.)
8/10/2007: Initial version. (McAdams, David E.)