Reciprocal of Quotient of Real Numbers

Theorem

$\forall x, y \in \R_{\ne 0}: \dfrac 1 {x / y} = \dfrac y x$


Proof

\(\ds \dfrac 1 {x / y}\) \(=\) \(\ds \frac 1 {x \times \dfrac 1 y}\) Definition of Real Division
\(\ds \) \(=\) \(\ds 1 \times \frac 1 {x \times \dfrac 1 y}\) Real Number Axiom $\R \text M3$: Identity Element for Multiplication
\(\ds \) \(=\) \(\ds \paren {y \times \frac 1 y} \times \frac 1 {x \times \dfrac 1 y}\) Real Number Axiom $\R \text M4$: Inverses for Multiplication
\(\ds \) \(=\) \(\ds y \times \paren {\frac 1 y \times \frac 1 {x \times \dfrac 1 y} }\) Real Number Axiom $\R \text M1$: Associativity of Multiplication
\(\ds \) \(=\) \(\ds y \times \frac 1 {y \times \paren {x \times \dfrac 1 y} }\) Product of Reciprocals of Real Numbers
\(\ds \) \(=\) \(\ds y \times \frac 1 {x \times \paren {y \times \dfrac 1 y} }\) Real Number Axiom $\R \text M2$: Commutativity of Multiplication
\(\ds \) \(=\) \(\ds y \times \frac 1 {x \times 1}\) Real Number Axiom $\R \text M4$: Inverses for Multiplication
\(\ds \) \(=\) \(\ds y \times \frac 1 x\) Real Number Axiom $\R \text M3$: Identity Element for Multiplication
\(\ds \) \(=\) \(\ds \frac y x\) Definition of Real Division

$\blacksquare$


Sources

  • 2000: James R. Munkres: Topology (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): $1$: Set Theory and Logic: $\S 4$: The Integers and the Real Numbers: Exercise $1 \ \text{(q)}$