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Think of it like this....
If we are dividing fractions and we set those fractions up in a fraction such as,
2/3
___
3/4
then how would we get rid of the bottom fraction? We would multiply it by the reciprocal 4/3, so that it's now equal to one, and then because we multiplied the bottom by 4/3, we must also multiply the top by 4/3. So now we have...
2/3 * 4/3
_______
3/4 * 4/3
= 8/9
___
1
= 8/9
That's why we multiply by the reciprocal of a fraction when dividing!
E2020 people this should be in your notes?
The reciprocal is one of two numbers whose product is 1; it is also called multiplicative inverse.
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Why do you need to find the reciprocal of the divisor when dividing a fraction?
It is not just in fractions. In general, division can be defined as multiplication by the reciprocal. For example, dividing by 5 is the same as multiplying by 0.2. However, it is mainly in calculations with fractions that this is normally used as a practical way of doing the calculations.
Why is dividing by a number the same as multiplying by its reciprocal?
That is the definition of reciprocal.
Dividing by a nonzero number is the same as multiplying by the?
What is the inverse reciprocal of 0.01
What is 2 thirds divided by 1 fourth?
2
Why do you take the reciprocal of the second fraction when dividing?
Because division by a number (the second fraction) is the same as multiplication by its reciprocal.
