What is the term used to describe the reciprocal of a number?

The term used to describe the reciprocal of a number is the multiplicative inverse. When you take a number and find its reciprocal, you are essentially finding the number that, when multiplied together with the original number, will yield the product of one. For example, the reciprocal or multiplicative inverse of 5 is 1/5, since 5 multiplied by 1/5 equals 1.

This concept is fundamental in various areas of mathematics, especially when solving equations involving fractions, and is crucial for understanding division and the properties of numbers.

The other terms mentioned do not apply in this context. The multiplicative identity refers to the number one, which does not change another number when multiplied by it. The additive inverse refers to a number that, when added to the original number, gives a sum of zero. Absolute value is a measure of the distance of a number from zero on the number line, regardless of direction. Each of these terms has its own distinct meaning and application in mathematics.