How do you find the additive and multiplicative inverse of 2.5?

1 Answer
Mar 26, 2017

Additive inverse, - 5/2 or -2.5
Multiplicative inverse, 2/5 or 0.4

Explanation:

For a number a, it's multiplicative inverse b is such that a*b = 1 which is the multiplicative identity.

For a number a, it's additive inverse c would be such that a + c = 0 where 0 is additive identity.

Thus, for a = 2.5 = 5/2
It's additive inverse be c.

Then 5/2 + c = 0

Now, adding -5/2 to both sides,

c = -5/2.

Let the multiplicative inverse be b.

Then a*b = 1
implies 5/2*b = 1

Multiplying both sides with 2/5

b = 2/5