Vocabulary

Variable: A symbol, usually a letter, used to represent a number in mathematical expressions or sentences.

Coefficient: The numerical factor of a term that contains a variable.

Multiplicative Inverse: Two numbers with a product of 1.

One-Step Equation: An algebraic equation that contains one operation.

Concept

Identify the coefficients and their multiplicative inverse in algebraic equations.

Rules

The numeric factor in front of a variable terms is the coefficient. 

The multiplicative inverse of a number is the reciprocal of the number: 

ab becomes ba

Example

Identify the coefficient and its multiplicative inverse: 

2x = -8

Answer in form:

coefficient, multiplicative inverse

Solution

The coefficient is the value (2) in front of the variable (x). 

To find the multiplicable inverse, first, write the coefficient as a fraction, then find the reciprocal (flip the fraction over, keeping the same sign); 

2 → 12

Note: Whole numbers can be written as a fraction by putting the whole number in the numerator and a "1" in the denominator. 

Pre-requisite Skills

Solve Equations with Rational Coefficients (7.6.3)

Simplifying Complex Algebraic Expressions (7.5.7)