Inverse element facts for kids

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The inverse element is the opposite of a number or equation. The inverses of $x$ in addition is $-x$ (called the additive inverse), and $\tfrac{1}{x}$ or $x^{-1}$ in multiplication (called the multiplicative inverse, or reciprocal).

In general, given an element g in a group S equipped with an operation $\circ$ , an inverse element of g is an element g* such that $g \circ g^*$ and $g^* \circ g$ are both equal to the identity element (of the group). Other examples of inverse include inverse function and matrix inverse.

Field (mathematics), a set equipped with additive inverses and multiplicative inverses (except for zero)

Inverse element facts for kids

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