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What's a Reciprocal? | Math with Mr. J

From Math with Mr. J

What's a Reciprocal? | Math with Mr. J
3 min5th6thMath
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Summary

What a reciprocal is -- the number you multiply by to get 1 -- and how to find the reciprocal of a fraction or whole number. Mr. J links it to dividing fractions.

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Teaching resources

Discussion questions

Two numbers are reciprocals when their product is 1.

  1. What is the reciprocal of 3/4?
  2. How do you find the reciprocal of a whole number?
  3. Why are reciprocals useful when dividing fractions?

Quick work-a-long

Words to know: reciprocal, product, fraction

  • Find the reciprocal of 5.
  • Find the reciprocal of 2/3 and check that the product is 1.