Additive Inverse vs Multiplicative Inverse

1. What is additive inverse of a number?

The additive inverse of a number ‘a’ is ‘-a,’ and the sum of ‘a’ and ‘-a’ is always zero.

2. What is multiplicative inverse of a non-zero number?

The multiplicative inverse of a non-zero number ‘a’ is ‘1/a,’ and the product of ‘a’ and ‘1/a’ is always one.

3. What are the practical applications of additive inverse?

Additive inverses are used in solving equations, balancing chemical equations, and understanding symmetries in mathematical structures.

4. Can a number have both additive and multiplicative inverses?

Yes, a non-zero number can have both an additive inverse (negation) and a multiplicative inverse (reciprocal).

5. How are additive and multiplicative inverses relevant in geometry?

Additive inverses are linked to geometric transformations like reflections, while multiplicative inverses play a role in dilations and scaling.

Additive inverse of a number is what you add to the original number to get a sum of zero. On the other hand, multiplicative inverse of a number is what you multiply the original number by to get a product of one.

Let’s learn about the Additive Inverse and Multiplicative Inverse with the help of solved examples.