Select the mathematical terms that mean “opposite of.” (you can pick more then one)?
Which mathematical terms mean "opposite of"? (You can select more than one.)
- Reciprocal
- Negative
- Additive Inverse
- Multiplicative Inverse
- Minus
- Absolute Value
5 Answers
Oh oh… is my answer the tiebreaker then?
I agree with ‘Ignoramus’… there is no “opposite of” defined in mathematics.
However, I’m willing to wager that if you ask 10 (non-mathematically inclined) people on the street, each and every one of them will tell you that the “opposite of” addition is subtraction; and that the “opposite of” multiplication is division. Technically speaking, that’s not true, but it’s how people tend to think in general. Both of those examples are specific cases of the more general concept of an “inverse function”.
So as ‘Ignoramus’ has already stated, the most logical answers appear to be the 3rd & 4th… i.e. the two inverse functions.
However, I’m also going to include the 2nd choice in my answer… because again, I think if you asked 10 people on the street, they’d tell you that the “opposite of” positive is negative.
If you continue the “person on the street” litmus test, you could also argue that the “opposite of” plus is minus, and include the 5th choice as well… however, now you’re pushing the limits.
Mathematics never did really care much for the “person on the street”, though. 🙂 Something isn’t correct just because a bunch of people think it’s correct. So again, for your own benefit, just remember that there is no “opposite of” defined in mathematics. 🙂
Jan 28, 2025
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RE:
Select the mathematical terms that mean "opposite of." (you can pick more then one)?
reciprocal
negative
additive inverse
multiplicative inverse
minus
absolute value
“Opposite of” is not a defined mathematical term ; by a process of elimination, I deduce that the answers you are seeking must be
additive inverse
multiplicative inverse
The terms you are looking for is Negative, Additive inverse, and minus. I hope i have helped you.
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