Reciprocal

Japanese: 逆数 - ぎゃくすう
Reciprocal

When a given number is multiplied with another number, the number whose product is equal to 1 is called the reciprocal of the original number. For example, 1/2 is the reciprocal of 2. 5/3 is the reciprocal of 3/5, and the reciprocal of -3 is -1/3. For a fraction, the fraction with the numerator and denominator swapped is the reciprocal of the original number. The reciprocal of the reciprocal of a number is the original number. There is no reciprocal of 0.


As shown, dividing by a number is the same as multiplying it by its reciprocal, and using the reciprocal allows division to be expressed in multiplication form.

[Tatsuro Miwa]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

Japanese:

ある数が与えられたとき、それとの積が1に等しくなるような数を、もとのある数の逆数という。たとえば、2に対して1/2がその逆数である。また、5/3は3/5の逆数であり、-3の逆数は-1/3である。分数に対しては、その分子と分母を取り替えた分数が、もとの数の逆数である。ある数の逆数の、そのまた逆数はもとの数になる。0の逆数は存在しない。


のように、ある数で割ることは、その数の逆数を掛けることと同じになり、逆数を使うと除法が乗法の形に表される。

[三輪辰郎]

出典 小学館 日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について 情報 | 凡例

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