Find the Inverse Number of -0.25: Converting Negative Decimals

Q: What's the difference between inverse and opposite?

In this context, inverse number and opposite number mean the same thing - the additive inverse. It's the number that when added to the original gives zero.

Q: Why isn't the inverse of -0.25 equal to 4?

That would be the multiplicative inverse (reciprocal)! The additive inverse just changes the sign: $ -(-0.25) = 0.25 $.

Q: How do I remember which operation to use?

Additive inverse: Changes sign, adds to zeroMultiplicative inverse: Takes reciprocal, multiplies to oneUnless specified otherwise, 'inverse' usually means additive inverse.

Q: What if the original number is already positive?

Same rule applies! For a positive number like $ 0.25 $, the additive inverse would be $ -0.25 $. Just change the sign.

Additive Inverses with Negative Decimals

What is the inverse number of $-0.25$

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Understand the problem

What is the inverse number of $-0.25$

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

Step 1: Identify the given number, which is $-0.25$ .
Step 2: Apply the concept of finding the opposite by changing the sign.
Step 3: Since the given number is $-0.25$ , the opposite number will be $-(-0.25) = 0.25$ .

Therefore, the opposite number of $-0.25$ is $0.25$ .

Final Answer

$0.25$

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Definition: Additive inverse changes the sign of the original number
Method: For $-0.25$ , apply negative: $-(-0.25) = 0.25$
Verify: Check that $-0.25 + 0.25 = 0$ ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Confusing additive inverse with multiplicative inverse
Don't find $\frac{1}{-0.25} = -4$ when asked for inverse! This gives the reciprocal, not the additive inverse. Always change the sign to find the additive inverse (opposite).

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

a is negative number.

b is negative number.

What is the sum of a+b?

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

What's the difference between inverse and opposite?

In this context, inverse number and opposite number mean the same thing - the additive inverse. It's the number that when added to the original gives zero.

Why isn't the inverse of -0.25 equal to 4?

That would be the multiplicative inverse (reciprocal)! The additive inverse just changes the sign: $-(-0.25) = 0.25$ .

How do I remember which operation to use?

Additive inverse: Changes sign, adds to zero
Multiplicative inverse: Takes reciprocal, multiplies to one
Unless specified otherwise, 'inverse' usually means additive inverse.

Does every number have an additive inverse?

Yes! Every real number has an additive inverse. For any number $a$ , its additive inverse is $-a$ , and $a + (-a) = 0$ .

What if the original number is already positive?

Same rule applies! For a positive number like $0.25$ , the additive inverse would be $-0.25$ . Just change the sign.

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