Introductory Algebra for College Students (7th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-13417-805-X
ISBN 13: 978-0-13417-805-9

Chapter 1 - Section 1.7 - Multiplication and Division of Real Numbers - Exercise Set - Page 87: 128

Answer

By definition, in a division problem, when you divide a number (the dividend) by another number (the divisor), you are actually multiplying the dividend by the multiplicative inverse of the divisor. Because $0$ has no multiplicative inverse, it is impossible to divide by it.

Work Step by Step

By definition, in a division problem, when you divide a number (the dividend) by another number (the divisor), you are actually multiplying the dividend by the multiplicative inverse of the divisor. Because $0$ has no multiplicative inverse, it is impossible to divide by it.
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