ALGEBRA : Multiplicative Inverse, HELP!

Let's start by defining a MULTIPLICATIVE INVERSE. If a is a real number then a times (1/a) = 1 A number times its multiplicative inverse is equal to 1. So, if you have 5/6, what do you need to multiply it by to get 1? Let's look at both of your choices: 5/6 times 6/5 = (5)(6)/(6)(5) = 30/30 = 1 This is our correct answer. Let's look at the other choice so that we can see an example that is incorrect. 5/6 times -6/5 would give us -30/30 which reduces to -1. This is not what we need.