Reciprocal of a Fraction – Definition, Steps, Examples, FAQs

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What Is the Reciprocal of a Fraction?

The reciprocal of a fraction is obtained by interchanging the numerator and the denominator. It represents the multiplicative inverse of the given fraction. 

A reciprocal of any non-zero number is simply written as 1 divided by that number.

The reciprocal of a fraction is a value which, when multiplied with the given fraction, results in 1.

Reciprocal of a fraction - example

Examples of Reciprocal of Fractions:

  • The reciprocal of 12 is 21 or simply 2.
  • The reciprocal of 34 is 43.

Reciprocal of a Fraction Definition

The reciprocal of a fraction is a multiplicative inverse of the original fraction. It is a new fraction that is obtained by interchanging the numerator and the denominator of the original fraction.

How to Find the Reciprocal of a Fraction

Finding reciprocal of fractions is simple. We only need to interchange or swap the numerator and denominator in order to determine the reciprocal of a fraction. 

In general, reciprocal of a fraction ab is written asba. (a, b are whole numbers, a0, b0)

For example, the reciprocal of 511 is 115.

Note: You can also find the reciprocal of a fraction by dividing 1 by the fraction.

Reciprocal of 0

The reciprocal of 0 is not defined. There is no value or number which, when multiplied with 0, results in 1. Thus, 10 is undefined.

Reciprocal of a Fraction Visualization

We know that the reciprocal of 12 is 2. 

How many halves make 1 whole?

Two halves make 1 whole.

Two 12 parts make 1 whole.

Reciprocal of ½ is 2 (visual model)

Similarly, the reciprocal of 14 is 4.

How many quarters (14) make 1 whole?

Four 14 parts can fit in 1 whole.

Reciprocal of 1/4 is 4 (visual model)

Reciprocal of a Mixed Fraction

To find the reciprocal of a mixed fraction, we first need to convert it to an improper fraction. An improper fraction has a numerator that is greater than or equal to the denominator. After getting the improper fraction, we can take its reciprocal by interchanging the numerator and denominator.

Example: Consider a mixed fraction 457

To convert it to an improper fraction, we multiply the whole number (4) by the denominator (7) and add the numerator (5). This value is the numerator. Denominator stays the same.

457=(7×4)+57=337 

Therefore, the improper fraction for the mixed fraction 457 is 337.

Now, the reciprocal of 337 is found by swapping the numerator and denominator.

Thus, the reciprocal of 337 is \frac{7}{33}$.

Reciprocal of a Negative Fraction

If a fraction has a negative sign, its reciprocal also has a negative sign. In this case, simply take the reciprocal of the positive fraction and assign the negative sign to it. 

The reciprocal of a negative fraction ab is written as ba.  (a, b are whole numbers numbers, b0)

Example: The reciprocal of 811 is 118 or simply 118

Reciprocal of a Fraction with Exponents

The form of fractions with exponents is (ab)p, where p is any rational number; a and b are any whole numbers (b0), we must first use the laws of exponents to separate the numerator and denominator. 

An expression (ab)p can be written as

(ab)p=apbp.

Now, swap the numerator and denominator to find the reciprocal. 

Therefore, the reciprocal of apbp is bpap.

Example: Find the reciprocal of (23)3.

We can write (23)3=2333.

Hence, the reciprocal of (23)3=3323=(32)3.

Facts about the Reciprocal of a Fraction

  • The reciprocal of a fraction is also known as its multiplicative inverse. When we multiply a fraction by its reciprocal, the result is always 1.
  • The reciprocal of a proper fraction is always an improper fraction.
  • The reciprocal of an improper fraction is always a proper fraction.
  • The reciprocal of a unit fraction is always a whole number. For example, the reciprocal of 110 is 10.
  • The reciprocal of a whole number (non-zero) is a fraction with the numerator 1 and the original whole number as the denominator. For example, the reciprocal of 10 is 110 .
  • The reciprocal of 0 is undefined.
  • The reciprocal of 1 is 1.
  • The reciprocal of a reciprocal is the original fraction itself.

Conclusion

In this article, we learned about the reciprocal of a fraction, its definition, examples of reciprocal fractions, the reciprocal of mixed fractions, the reciprocal of fractions with exponents, the methods of finding reciprocal of fractions, and interesting facts. Let’s move ahead and solve a few examples and practice problems based on all these concepts.

Solved Examples on Reciprocal of a Fraction

  1. Find the reciprocal of 513.

Solution:

The reciprocal of a fraction is obtained by interchanging its numerator and denominator.

Hence, the reciprocal of 513 is 135.

  1. What is the reciprocal of the sum of 56 and 715?

Solution: 

Sum of the given fraction =56+715=25+1430=3930=1310

Hence, the reciprocal of sum =1013.

  1. If a is the reciprocal of 1213, then find the value of a+5.

Solution: 

a= Reciprocal of 1213=1312

a+5=1312+5=13+6012=7312

  1. Find the reciprocal of 5215.

Solution: 

To find the reciprocal of a mixed number, we first need to convert it to an improper fraction.

5215=(15×5)+215=7715

Reciprocal of 7715=1577

Hence, the reciprocal of 5215=1577.

  1. Find the reciprocal of 2413?

Solution: 

We can write the given mixed fraction as an improper fraction.

2413=(13×2)+413=3013

Reciprocal of 2413=1330

  1. John can mow a lawn in 5 hours. What is the reciprocal of the fraction representing John’s hourly mowing rate?

Solution: 

John can mow a lawn in 5 hours. 

John’s hourly mowing rate is 15 of a lawn per hour because he can mow one lawn in 5 hours. 

Hence, the reciprocal of 15 is 51, or simply 5. 

Therefore, John’s reciprocal hourly mowing rate is 5 lawns per hour.

  1. Find the reciprocal of (53)2?

Solution: 

 (53)2=(35)2=(925)

Reciprocal of 925=259

Practice Problems on the Reciprocal of a Fraction

Reciprocal of a Fraction - Definition, Steps, Examples, FAQs

Attend this quiz & Test your knowledge.

1

What is the reciprocal of 0?

0
1
-1
Not defined
CorrectIncorrect
Correct answer is: Not defined
Reciprocal of 0=10= Not defined
2

What is the reciprocal of the fraction 58?

83
524
85
2540
CorrectIncorrect
Correct answer is: 85
The reciprocal of 58 is 85.
3

What is the reciprocal of the fraction 53?

53
35
35
109
CorrectIncorrect
Correct answer is: 35
To find the reciprocal of a fraction, we flip the fraction by interchanging the numerator and the denominator.
So, the reciprocal of 53 is 35.
4

What is the reciprocal of the mixed number 212?

12
221
25
25
CorrectIncorrect
Correct answer is: 25
To find the reciprocal of a mixed number, we first need to convert it to an improper fraction.
212=52
The reciprocal of 52 is 25.
5

What is the reciprocal of the fraction 16?

1
16
3
6
CorrectIncorrect
Correct answer is: 6
To find the reciprocal of a fraction, we flip it over.
So, the reciprocal of 16 is 6.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Reciprocal of a Fraction

The reciprocal of a fraction is simply the fraction obtained by interchanging the numerator and the denominator. The numerator becomes the denominator, and the denominator becomes the numerator.

To find the reciprocal of a mixed fraction, we first need to convert it to an improper fraction. The reciprocal of the improper fraction thus obtained represents the reciprocal of the mixed fraction.

The product of a fraction and its reciprocal is always 1. For example, if we multiply 34 by its reciprocal, 43, we get 1.

The reciprocal of a decimal can be found by converting the decimal to a fraction and then taking its reciprocal.

For example, to find the reciprocal of 0.25, first convert decimal to fraction. 

0.25=25100.

Hence, the reciprocal of 0.25 is 10025=41=4.

The reciprocal of 0 is undefined because any number multiplied by zero is always zero, which means there is no number that can be multiplied by zero to give a product of 1.

The difference between a fraction and its reciprocal is that the numerator and denominator are swapped. For example, the reciprocal of 59 is 95.

Find the reciprocal of the fraction ignoring the sign, attach the negative sign to theresulting fraction to find the reciprocal of the negative fraction.