Inverse Property of Multiplication

Read this section to see examples of how to apply the inverse property of addition. Focus on the examples in the boxes. Note that in the first multiplication example box, we can use the inverse property for fractions as well as whole numbers.

Examples and Exercises

Solution

Exercise 7.35

To find the multiplicative inverse, we find the reciprocal.

(a) The multiplicative inverse of 9 is its reciprocal, \frac {1}{9} .

(b) The multiplicative inverse of − \frac {1}{9} is its reciprocal, -9 .

(c) To find the multiplicative inverse of 0.9 we first convert 0.9 to a fraction, \frac {9}{10} . Then we find the reciprocal, \frac {10}{9} .


TRY IT 7.69

(a) \frac{1}{5}

(b) -7

(c) \frac{10}{3}


TRY IT 7.70

(a) \frac{1}{18}

(b) -\frac{5}{4}

(c) \frac{5}{3}