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Inverse Property of Multiplication

The inverse property of multiplication states that for any real number aa with a0a \neq 0:

a1a=1a \cdot \frac{1}{a} = 1

In words, the product of any nonzero number and its multiplicative inverse (reciprocal) is always one — the multiplicative identity. For example, 515=15 \cdot \frac{1}{5} = 1 and 2332=1\frac{2}{3} \cdot \frac{3}{2} = 1. The restriction a0a \neq 0 is essential because division by zero is undefined, so zero has no reciprocal. Together with the identity and commutative properties, the inverse property of multiplication is one of the foundational rules governing how multiplication behaves on the real numbers.

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Updated 2026-05-02

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