GCSEMathsWJECMaths & Numeracy (Double Award)FoundationRevision NotesNumberMultiples, Factors, HCF & LCMReciprocals

Reciprocals (WJEC GCSE Maths & Numeracy (Double Award)): Revision Note

Exam code: 3320

Jamie Wood

Written by: Jamie Wood

Reviewed by: Mark Curtis

Updated on

WJEC Maths & Numeracy (Double Award): FoundationWJEC Eduqas Maths: FoundationOCR Maths: FoundationAQA Maths: FoundationEdexcel Maths: Foundation

Reciprocals

What is a reciprocal?

  • The reciprocal of a number is the result of dividing 1 by that number

    • Any number multiplied by its reciprocal will be equal to 1

  • The reciprocal of 3 is 1 third

    • The reciprocal of 1 third is 3

    • 3 cross times 1 third equals 1 third cross times 3 equals 1

  • The reciprocal of 2 over 3 is 3 over 2

    • The reciprocal of 3 over 2 is 2 over 3

    • 2 over 3 cross times 3 over 2 equals 3 over 2 cross times 2 over 3 equals 1

  • Algebraically the reciprocal of a is 1 over a

    • The reciprocal of 1 over a  is a

Worked Example

Write down a fraction that completes this calculation:   3 over 7 cross times fraction numerator... over denominator... end fraction equals 1

Answer:

Recall that a number multiplied by its reciprocal is equal to 1

3 over 7 cross times bold 7 over bold 3 equals 1

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    Author
    Reviewer
    Jamie Wood

    Author: Jamie Wood

    Expertise: Maths Content Creator

    Jamie graduated in 2014 from the University of Bristol with a degree in Electronic and Communications Engineering. He has worked as a teacher for 8 years, in secondary schools and in further education; teaching GCSE and A Level. He is passionate about helping students fulfil their potential through easy-to-use resources and high-quality questions and solutions.

    Mark Curtis

    Reviewer: Mark Curtis

    Expertise: Maths Content Creator

    Mark graduated twice from the University of Oxford: once in 2009 with a First in Mathematics, then again in 2013 with a PhD (DPhil) in Mathematics. He has had nine successful years as a secondary school teacher, specialising in A-Level Further Maths and running extension classes for Oxbridge Maths applicants. Alongside his teaching, he has written five internal textbooks, introduced new spiralling school curriculums and trained other Maths teachers through outreach programmes.