Menu

Math Tutorial 15.4 - Reciprocal Graphs

Please provide a rating, it takes seconds and helps us to keep this resource free for all to use

[ 1 Votes ]

There are 5 lessons in this math tutorial covering Reciprocal Graphs. The tutorial starts with an introduction to Reciprocal Graphs and is then followed with a list of the separate lessons, the tutorial is designed to be read in order but you can skip to a specific lesson or return to recover a specific math lesson as required to build your math knowledge of Reciprocal Graphs. you can access all the lessons from this tutorial below.

In this Math tutorial, you will learn:

  • What does the term "reciprocal" mean in math?
  • How to find the reciprocal of a number or expression?
  • What is a reciprocal function?
  • What is the simplest reciprocal function that exists?
  • What is the general form of a reciprocal function?
  • How to plot the graph of a reciprocal function?
  • What are the asymptotes of a reciprocal graph? How to find them?
  • How to find the equation of the symmetry line of a reciprocal graph?

Introduction

So far, we have explored the structure of lines produced by equations that contain polynomials (or monomials) in terms of a single variable (usually denoted by x) on their right side, while the right side always contains the variable y. We have explained multiple times that x is called an independent variable, as its values depend only on the user's choice (i.e. the user gives some values to this variable by his/her choice), while y is called a dependent variable, as its values depend on the values chosen for the variable x and on the formula that combines them.

For example, y = 2x, y = 3x - 1, y = x2, y = 2 - 5x3, y = x2 - 3x + 1, y = x3, y = 2x3 - 3x2 + x - 2, etc., are all equations that belong to this category, i.e. that contain a polynomial on the right side. Despite differences, all these equations have a common feature: they don't have any limitations in the values chosen for the independent variable x, as well as those of the dependent variable y resulting from the operations. In other words, we were not concerned about whether the y-values make sense for any value chosen for the variable x.

Now, we will explore some other lines produced by equations that have some limitations in the values chosen. The first of this set of equations is called "reciprocal". Let's see what this type of equation represents and what kind of graph it produces.

Please select a specific "Reciprocal Graphs" lesson from the table below, review the video tutorial, print the revision notes or use the practice question to improve your knowledge of this math topic.

Types of Graphs Learning Material
Tutorial IDMath Tutorial TitleTutorialVideo
Tutorial
Revision
Notes
Revision
Questions
15.4Reciprocal Graphs
Lesson IDMath Lesson TitleLessonVideo
Lesson
15.4.1The Meaning of the Term "Reciprocal" in Math
15.4.2The Graph of a Reciprocal Function
15.4.3Asymptotes of Reciprocal Graphs
15.4.4How to Find the Equation of a Reciprocal Graph?
15.4.5Determining the Equation of the Symmetry Line of a Reciprocal Graph

Whats next?

Enjoy the "Reciprocal Graphs" math tutorial? People who liked the "Reciprocal Graphs" tutorial found the following resources useful:

  1. Math tutorial Feedback. Helps other - Leave a rating for this tutorial (see below)
  2. Types of Graphs Revision Notes: Reciprocal Graphs. Print the notes so you can revise the key points covered in the math tutorial for Reciprocal Graphs
  3. Types of Graphs Practice Questions: Reciprocal Graphs. Test and improve your knowledge of Reciprocal Graphs with example questins and answers
  4. Check your calculations for Types of Graphs questions with our excellent Types of Graphs calculators which contain full equations and calculations clearly displayed line by line. See the Types of Graphs Calculators by iCalculator™ below.
  5. Continuing learning types of graphs - read our next math tutorial: Exponential Graphs

Help others Learning Math just like you

Please provide a rating, it takes seconds and helps us to keep this resource free for all to use

[ 1 Votes ]

We hope you found this Math math tutorial "Reciprocal Graphs" useful. If you did it would be great if you could spare the time to rate this math tutorial (simply click on the number of stars that match your assessment of this math learning aide) and/or share on social media, this helps us identify popular tutorials and calculators and expand our free learning resources to support our users around the world have free access to expand their knowledge of math and other disciplines.

Types of Graphs Calculators by iCalculator™

    Math Calculators

    You may also find the following Math calculators useful.