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# How to Find the Reciprocal of a Negative Number?

TopThe term fraction number means that number is written in form of $\frac{a}{b}$, where 'a' and 'b' are whole numbers and b $\neq$ 0. Now, if we simply look at any whole number, say 5. We observe that number 5 can also be written in the form of $\frac{5}{1}$. Now, we will compare the above number with the format of the fraction and find that a = 5 and b = 1. So. we come to a conclusion that every whole number can also be written as fraction number.

In order to find the reciprocal of any fraction number, we will simply write the numerator in the place of denominator and the denominator is written in the place of numerator. Now, what if given number is in the form of negative number. Let us see how to find the reciprocal of a negative number. Let us consider a negative number say -9. We say that -9 can also be read in the form of $\frac{-9}{1}$. Now, if we try to write the number in its reciprocal form, we come to the conclusion that above given number can be written in form of its reciprocal as follows:

Reciprocal of $\frac{-9}{1}$ = $\frac{1}{-9}$

We observe that this form of writing any number is not the standard form. So, we say that in order to convert it to standard form, we will multiply the numerator and denominator by (-1). Thus, the resultant number is $\frac{-1}{9}$.

The number so formed is not the fraction, as numerator is not the whole number but an integer. Thus, we say that it is in the form of $\frac{p}{q}$, where 'p' and 'q' are integers. So, it is a rational number.