What is the reciprocal of 1/8?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the reciprocal of the fraction 1/8. To find the reciprocal, we take the fraction and flip it, which means we will find what value, when multiplied by 1/8, gives us 1.
Answer
The reciprocal of the fraction $ \frac{1}{8} $ is 8.
Answer for screen readers
The reciprocal of the fraction $ \frac{1}{8} $ is 8.
Steps to Solve
- Identify the original fraction
The original fraction we have is $ \frac{1}{8} $.
- Flip the fraction to find the reciprocal
To find the reciprocal, we flip the fraction. This means swapping the numerator and denominator. So, the reciprocal of $ \frac{1}{8} $ is $ \frac{8}{1} $.
- Simplify the reciprocal
Now, simplify $ \frac{8}{1} $. This is equal to 8.
The reciprocal of the fraction $ \frac{1}{8} $ is 8.
More Information
The reciprocal of a number is important in various mathematical operations, including division. For example, knowing the reciprocal of a fraction helps in operations involving multiplication and division of fractions.
Tips
- Students often forget to flip the numerator and denominator correctly.
- Some may also mistakenly think that the reciprocal is simply adding or subtracting the original fraction.
