MHB Rational Number equations help

  • Thread starter Thread starter Paige1
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Rational
Click For Summary
The discussion focuses on demonstrating that the product of a rational number and its inverse equals 1, with the exception of zero, which lacks an inverse. Participants clarify that for a rational number expressed as m/n (where m and n are integers and m is not zero), its multiplicative inverse is n/m. The importance of zero is emphasized, as it cannot be used in this context due to the absence of an inverse. The conversation seeks to solidify understanding of rational numbers and their properties. Overall, the key takeaway is the relationship between rational numbers and their inverses, highlighting the unique case of zero.
Paige1
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
I have a question in math I need help with please:
Show that the product of a rational number and it's inverse is equal to 1, with one exception. what is the exception? can anyone help please?
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
Paige said:
I have a question in math I need help with please:
Show that the product of a rational number and it's inverse is equal to 1, with one exception. what is the exception? can anyone help please?

zero is the exception as it does not have inverse
 
kaliprasad said:
zero is the exception as it does not have inverse

Thank you!

- - - Updated - - -

kaliprasad said:
zero is the exception as it does not have inverse

however, what is the product of the rational number and it's inverse?
 
We could choose to let the rational number be:

$$\frac{m}{n}$$ where $$m,n\in\mathbb{Z}\land m\ne0$$ (This just means $m$ and $n$ are integers, with $m$ not equal to zero.)

So, what would the multiplicative inverse, or reciprocal, of $m$ be?
 
I have been insisting to my statistics students that for probabilities, the rule is the number of significant figures is the number of digits past the leading zeros or leading nines. For example to give 4 significant figures for a probability: 0.000001234 and 0.99999991234 are the correct number of decimal places. That way the complementary probability can also be given to the same significant figures ( 0.999998766 and 0.00000008766 respectively). More generally if you have a value that...

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
1K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
4K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
5K
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
13
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K