Reciprocal Functions

A reciprocal function is the one which produces the multiplicative inverse for a given input value. It is represented
by f(x) = 1/x.

Let us plot the function

x

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

f(x)=1/x

-0.5

-1

-

1.000

0.500

0.333

0.250


The reciprocal function can be extended to the function by multiplying the basic function with a constant f(x) = a/x.

Let us plot the function and observe the changes with change in the parameter 'a'.


X

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

f(x)= 2/x

-0.667

-1

-2

-

2

1

0.667

g(x)=5/x

-1.667

-2.5

-5

-

5

2.5

1.667

h(x)=6/x

-2

-3

-6

-

6

3

2



As we observe in the graph above, we can say that as the value of "a" increases, the plot moves away from the
origin.