Mathematics GCSE
Reciprocal
What Reciprocal means in Mathematics GCSE, as defined for OCR.
Definitions of Reciprocal
Exam boards and our study guides word this term in slightly different ways. Learn the version your board uses.
The reciprocal of a number is 1 divided by that number. For a fraction, it means flipping the numerator and denominator.
The multiplicative inverse of a number; 1 divided by the number.
Topics that use Reciprocal
- Indices and Surds (OCR GCSE)
- Number Operations and Integers (OCR GCSE)
Related terms
- Denominator
- Numerator
- Percentage Multiplier
- Recurring Decimal
- Base
- Conjugate
- Index (Power/Exponent)
- Integer
Using Reciprocal in the exam
Definition questions usually carry one or two marks, and examiners look for the precise wording. Write the definition from memory, check it against the version above, and then use the term in a longer answer on the same topic so it sticks.
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