Question

Find the multiplicative inverse (i.e. reciprocal of): $ - 16 $

Answer 1

Hint: Before we start solving this question, refer to the basic concepts of reciprocal and understand it first. Reciprocal is also known as the “multiplicative inverse” which is simply one of a pair of numbers that, when multiplied together, gives value equal to one.

Complete step-by-step answer:
Additive inverse can be well defined as the number which when added to the original number gives zero as the resultant value. For example; Additive inverse simply is the change in the sign of the terms where positive term becomes negative and negative becomes positive with the same value.
In simple words, the multiplicative inverse can be well defined as the reciprocal.
Let us assume that - “x” be any number then its multiplicative inverse can be expressed as $ $ $ \dfrac{1}{x}{\text{ and }}{{{x}}^{ - 1}} $ .
Now, the reciprocal of the given number: $ - 16 = - \dfrac{1}{{16}} $
This is the required solution.
So, the correct answer is “ $ - \dfrac{1}{{16}} $ ”.

Note: Do not get confused between the difference between additive inverse and the multiplicative inverse and apply it accordingly. While finding the multiplicative inverse of any fraction, the numerator is moved to the denominator and the denominator is moved to the numerator.