reciprocal of an integer
noun phraseUK /rɪˈsɪprəkəl əv ən ˈɪntɪdʒə/
US /rɪˈsɪprəkəl əv ən ˈɪntɪdʒər/
The reciprocal of an integer is 1 divided by that number.
The reciprocal of 4 is 1/4.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. For a nonzero integer n, the fraction 1/n whose product with n equals 1.
Since 5 times 1/5 equals 1, 1/5 is the reciprocal of 5.
3. A number that, when multiplied by the original integer, gives a product of one.
The reciprocal of -3 is -1/3 because -3 × -1/3 = 1.
4. The value obtained by switching the numerator and denominator of an integer written as a fraction.
Writing 7 as 7/1, its reciprocal is 1/7.