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Negative Reciprocal
See It in Action
Two examples of the idea done right—and one common look-alike that is not right.
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
NON-EXAMPLE
Definition
The negative reciprocal of a number is found by two steps:
Take the reciprocal – flip the number (e.g., the reciprocal of a/b is b/a).
Make it negative – change the sign.
In other words:
If a number is m, then its negative reciprocal is -1/m.
Examples:
The negative reciprocal of 2 is -1/2.
The negative reciprocal of -3/4 is 4/3.
Use in Geometry:
Negative reciprocals are especially important when working with perpendicular lines. If two lines are perpendicular, their slopes are negative reciprocals of each other.
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