Find the Inverse Number of -8/7: Fraction Operations

Additive Inverses with Negative Fractions

What is the inverse number of 87 -\frac{8}{7}

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1

Understand the problem

What is the inverse number of 87 -\frac{8}{7}

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Step-by-step solution

To determine the opposite number of 87-\frac{8}{7}, we need to understand what the opposite of a number means in mathematics.

The opposite of a number is simply a number with the same magnitude but the opposite sign. For any real number aa, its opposite is a-a. When aa is already negative, its opposite is positive.

Given the number 87-\frac{8}{7}, we will apply the following steps:

  • Identify the sign and magnitude: The given number is 87-\frac{8}{7}, a negative fraction.
  • Apply sign change: The opposite is simply the positive version of 87-\frac{8}{7}, which is 87\frac{8}{7}.

Thus, the opposite of 87-\frac{8}{7} is 87\frac{8}{7}.

Therefore, the correct answer is 87\frac{8}{7}.

3

Final Answer

87 \frac{8}{7}

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Definition: Additive inverse changes sign but keeps same magnitude
  • Method: For 87 -\frac{8}{7} , remove negative sign to get 87 \frac{8}{7}
  • Check: 87+87=0 -\frac{8}{7} + \frac{8}{7} = 0 confirms correct inverse ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Confusing additive inverse with multiplicative inverse
    Don't find 78 -\frac{7}{8} (reciprocal) when asked for inverse = wrong operation! The additive inverse simply changes the sign, while reciprocal flips numerator and denominator. Always identify which type of inverse is being asked for.

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?

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They're the same thing! The inverse number (also called additive inverse or opposite) of any number is what you add to it to get zero.

Why isn't the answer the same negative fraction?

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Because 87+(87)=167 -\frac{8}{7} + (-\frac{8}{7}) = -\frac{16}{7} , not zero! The inverse must give you zero when added to the original number.

How do I find the inverse of any fraction?

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Simple! Just change the sign. If it's positive, make it negative. If it's negative (like 87 -\frac{8}{7} ), make it positive.

Is this the same as finding the reciprocal?

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No! The reciprocal of 87 -\frac{8}{7} would be 78 -\frac{7}{8} (flip numerator and denominator). The inverse just changes the sign.

Can zero have an additive inverse?

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Yes! The additive inverse of 0 is 0 because 0 + 0 = 0. Zero is special - it's its own inverse.

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