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Basic Math/reciprocal and inverse

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Question
is it safe to say that reciprocal is for a single fraction and inverse is related to a function if not what is the true different.

Answer
Theo,

"inverse" can apply to a number of different situations.

In ordinary arithmetic the additive inverse is the negative: the additive inverse of 2 is -2.

The multiplicative inverse is the reciprocal: the multiplicative inverse of 2 is .

If we are talking about functions, then the inverse function is the inverse with respect to "composition of functions": f(f-1(x))= x and f-1(f(x))= x.

The word "inverse" can be applied to all of those (and more) but "reciprocal" only applies to multiplicative inverse.

I hope this helps.

Regards,
Pawan

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Pawan Musale

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I can answer Basic Mathematics questions like: Natural Numbers, Integers, Real Numbers, Complex Numbers, Number Theory, Geometry, Trigonometry, Graph Theory, Square Roots, Basic Integration, Profit-Loss problems, Work-Time problems, Equations etc I can try to answer questions of probability and set theory

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Tutoring on allexperts.com since long time

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I am Bachelor of Engineering (Instrumentation) from the reputed institute in India.

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I was 18th in High School Scholarship examination in Maharashtra State of India. I was second in Mathematics in Maharashtra State in Secondary School Certificate examination.

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