What is “one over something”?












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In my physics class when the tutor talks a value of something, they say that will be "one over something", I'm not sure what this is and I cannot ask because it seems like everyone else knows what he is talking about. I think he's talking about a reciprocal, but I'm not sure why a reciprocal is used.










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  • 4




    $begingroup$
    Welcome to physics.SE. Yes, it sounds like a reciprocal, but we can't tell why a reciprocal is used in a particular situation without knowing what the physical situation is that is being discussed. Please edit your question to make it more clear what you're asking about.
    $endgroup$
    – Ben Crowell
    6 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    hi Jay. That does seems like a reciprocal, but I would highly suggest you ask the tutor. They will be delighted that someone is paying attention and wants to learn more, believe me
    $endgroup$
    – aaaaaa
    1 hour ago
















1












$begingroup$


In my physics class when the tutor talks a value of something, they say that will be "one over something", I'm not sure what this is and I cannot ask because it seems like everyone else knows what he is talking about. I think he's talking about a reciprocal, but I'm not sure why a reciprocal is used.










share|cite|improve this question









New contributor




Jay is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.







$endgroup$








  • 4




    $begingroup$
    Welcome to physics.SE. Yes, it sounds like a reciprocal, but we can't tell why a reciprocal is used in a particular situation without knowing what the physical situation is that is being discussed. Please edit your question to make it more clear what you're asking about.
    $endgroup$
    – Ben Crowell
    6 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    hi Jay. That does seems like a reciprocal, but I would highly suggest you ask the tutor. They will be delighted that someone is paying attention and wants to learn more, believe me
    $endgroup$
    – aaaaaa
    1 hour ago














1












1








1





$begingroup$


In my physics class when the tutor talks a value of something, they say that will be "one over something", I'm not sure what this is and I cannot ask because it seems like everyone else knows what he is talking about. I think he's talking about a reciprocal, but I'm not sure why a reciprocal is used.










share|cite|improve this question









New contributor




Jay is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.







$endgroup$




In my physics class when the tutor talks a value of something, they say that will be "one over something", I'm not sure what this is and I cannot ask because it seems like everyone else knows what he is talking about. I think he's talking about a reciprocal, but I'm not sure why a reciprocal is used.







terminology definition mathematics






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Jay is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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share|cite|improve this question









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Jay is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









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edited 42 mins ago









Qmechanic

103k121851177




103k121851177






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asked 6 hours ago









JayJay

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New contributor





Jay is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






Jay is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.








  • 4




    $begingroup$
    Welcome to physics.SE. Yes, it sounds like a reciprocal, but we can't tell why a reciprocal is used in a particular situation without knowing what the physical situation is that is being discussed. Please edit your question to make it more clear what you're asking about.
    $endgroup$
    – Ben Crowell
    6 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    hi Jay. That does seems like a reciprocal, but I would highly suggest you ask the tutor. They will be delighted that someone is paying attention and wants to learn more, believe me
    $endgroup$
    – aaaaaa
    1 hour ago














  • 4




    $begingroup$
    Welcome to physics.SE. Yes, it sounds like a reciprocal, but we can't tell why a reciprocal is used in a particular situation without knowing what the physical situation is that is being discussed. Please edit your question to make it more clear what you're asking about.
    $endgroup$
    – Ben Crowell
    6 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    hi Jay. That does seems like a reciprocal, but I would highly suggest you ask the tutor. They will be delighted that someone is paying attention and wants to learn more, believe me
    $endgroup$
    – aaaaaa
    1 hour ago








4




4




$begingroup$
Welcome to physics.SE. Yes, it sounds like a reciprocal, but we can't tell why a reciprocal is used in a particular situation without knowing what the physical situation is that is being discussed. Please edit your question to make it more clear what you're asking about.
$endgroup$
– Ben Crowell
6 hours ago




$begingroup$
Welcome to physics.SE. Yes, it sounds like a reciprocal, but we can't tell why a reciprocal is used in a particular situation without knowing what the physical situation is that is being discussed. Please edit your question to make it more clear what you're asking about.
$endgroup$
– Ben Crowell
6 hours ago












$begingroup$
hi Jay. That does seems like a reciprocal, but I would highly suggest you ask the tutor. They will be delighted that someone is paying attention and wants to learn more, believe me
$endgroup$
– aaaaaa
1 hour ago




$begingroup$
hi Jay. That does seems like a reciprocal, but I would highly suggest you ask the tutor. They will be delighted that someone is paying attention and wants to learn more, believe me
$endgroup$
– aaaaaa
1 hour ago










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes


















6












$begingroup$


I cannot ask because it seems like everyone else knows what he is
talking about. I think he's talking about a reciprocal




It may be true that everyone else knows what your tutor is talking about. But it could be true that most are thinking like you and so won't ask either.



Try asking this: "To be sure, when you say one over something, you are referring to a reciprocal, correct?"



I recall an anecdote from a professor for a junior level EE class I took long ago. He said that he had once taught a class on EE fundamentals to non EE majors. About halfway through the quarter, someone in the class finally had the courage to ask "but what is $j$?" I'm sure almost everyone else in the class was relieved that someone finally asked that question.





From the comments:




This is an interesting anecdote but it doesn't actually appear to
answer the question. Would you consider editing to fix that?




I thought it was clear enough but, given DavidZ's prodding, I'll explicitly state here that I agree with the OP's belief that the tutor is referring to a reciprocal. On the other hand, only the OP's tutor can actually answer the OP's question.






share|cite|improve this answer











$endgroup$













  • $begingroup$
    $j$ is $i$, so they should have been confused.
    $endgroup$
    – JEB
    4 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    This is an interesting anecdote but it doesn't actually appear to answer the question. Would you consider editing to fix that?
    $endgroup$
    – David Z
    3 hours ago



















2












$begingroup$

“One over $r$” is spoken English for the mathematical expression $1/r$, and similarly for “one over” anything else. More generally “$a$ over $b$“ means $a/b$.



You will learn a lot more more if you are not embarrassed to ask about things you don’t understand. If you don’t want to ask in front of the whole class, ask the teacher after the class. Or ask this site.






share|cite|improve this answer











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    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

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    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

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    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    6












    $begingroup$


    I cannot ask because it seems like everyone else knows what he is
    talking about. I think he's talking about a reciprocal




    It may be true that everyone else knows what your tutor is talking about. But it could be true that most are thinking like you and so won't ask either.



    Try asking this: "To be sure, when you say one over something, you are referring to a reciprocal, correct?"



    I recall an anecdote from a professor for a junior level EE class I took long ago. He said that he had once taught a class on EE fundamentals to non EE majors. About halfway through the quarter, someone in the class finally had the courage to ask "but what is $j$?" I'm sure almost everyone else in the class was relieved that someone finally asked that question.





    From the comments:




    This is an interesting anecdote but it doesn't actually appear to
    answer the question. Would you consider editing to fix that?




    I thought it was clear enough but, given DavidZ's prodding, I'll explicitly state here that I agree with the OP's belief that the tutor is referring to a reciprocal. On the other hand, only the OP's tutor can actually answer the OP's question.






    share|cite|improve this answer











    $endgroup$













    • $begingroup$
      $j$ is $i$, so they should have been confused.
      $endgroup$
      – JEB
      4 hours ago










    • $begingroup$
      This is an interesting anecdote but it doesn't actually appear to answer the question. Would you consider editing to fix that?
      $endgroup$
      – David Z
      3 hours ago
















    6












    $begingroup$


    I cannot ask because it seems like everyone else knows what he is
    talking about. I think he's talking about a reciprocal




    It may be true that everyone else knows what your tutor is talking about. But it could be true that most are thinking like you and so won't ask either.



    Try asking this: "To be sure, when you say one over something, you are referring to a reciprocal, correct?"



    I recall an anecdote from a professor for a junior level EE class I took long ago. He said that he had once taught a class on EE fundamentals to non EE majors. About halfway through the quarter, someone in the class finally had the courage to ask "but what is $j$?" I'm sure almost everyone else in the class was relieved that someone finally asked that question.





    From the comments:




    This is an interesting anecdote but it doesn't actually appear to
    answer the question. Would you consider editing to fix that?




    I thought it was clear enough but, given DavidZ's prodding, I'll explicitly state here that I agree with the OP's belief that the tutor is referring to a reciprocal. On the other hand, only the OP's tutor can actually answer the OP's question.






    share|cite|improve this answer











    $endgroup$













    • $begingroup$
      $j$ is $i$, so they should have been confused.
      $endgroup$
      – JEB
      4 hours ago










    • $begingroup$
      This is an interesting anecdote but it doesn't actually appear to answer the question. Would you consider editing to fix that?
      $endgroup$
      – David Z
      3 hours ago














    6












    6








    6





    $begingroup$


    I cannot ask because it seems like everyone else knows what he is
    talking about. I think he's talking about a reciprocal




    It may be true that everyone else knows what your tutor is talking about. But it could be true that most are thinking like you and so won't ask either.



    Try asking this: "To be sure, when you say one over something, you are referring to a reciprocal, correct?"



    I recall an anecdote from a professor for a junior level EE class I took long ago. He said that he had once taught a class on EE fundamentals to non EE majors. About halfway through the quarter, someone in the class finally had the courage to ask "but what is $j$?" I'm sure almost everyone else in the class was relieved that someone finally asked that question.





    From the comments:




    This is an interesting anecdote but it doesn't actually appear to
    answer the question. Would you consider editing to fix that?




    I thought it was clear enough but, given DavidZ's prodding, I'll explicitly state here that I agree with the OP's belief that the tutor is referring to a reciprocal. On the other hand, only the OP's tutor can actually answer the OP's question.






    share|cite|improve this answer











    $endgroup$




    I cannot ask because it seems like everyone else knows what he is
    talking about. I think he's talking about a reciprocal




    It may be true that everyone else knows what your tutor is talking about. But it could be true that most are thinking like you and so won't ask either.



    Try asking this: "To be sure, when you say one over something, you are referring to a reciprocal, correct?"



    I recall an anecdote from a professor for a junior level EE class I took long ago. He said that he had once taught a class on EE fundamentals to non EE majors. About halfway through the quarter, someone in the class finally had the courage to ask "but what is $j$?" I'm sure almost everyone else in the class was relieved that someone finally asked that question.





    From the comments:




    This is an interesting anecdote but it doesn't actually appear to
    answer the question. Would you consider editing to fix that?




    I thought it was clear enough but, given DavidZ's prodding, I'll explicitly state here that I agree with the OP's belief that the tutor is referring to a reciprocal. On the other hand, only the OP's tutor can actually answer the OP's question.







    share|cite|improve this answer














    share|cite|improve this answer



    share|cite|improve this answer








    edited 1 hour ago

























    answered 5 hours ago









    Alfred CentauriAlfred Centauri

    48.2k350150




    48.2k350150












    • $begingroup$
      $j$ is $i$, so they should have been confused.
      $endgroup$
      – JEB
      4 hours ago










    • $begingroup$
      This is an interesting anecdote but it doesn't actually appear to answer the question. Would you consider editing to fix that?
      $endgroup$
      – David Z
      3 hours ago


















    • $begingroup$
      $j$ is $i$, so they should have been confused.
      $endgroup$
      – JEB
      4 hours ago










    • $begingroup$
      This is an interesting anecdote but it doesn't actually appear to answer the question. Would you consider editing to fix that?
      $endgroup$
      – David Z
      3 hours ago
















    $begingroup$
    $j$ is $i$, so they should have been confused.
    $endgroup$
    – JEB
    4 hours ago




    $begingroup$
    $j$ is $i$, so they should have been confused.
    $endgroup$
    – JEB
    4 hours ago












    $begingroup$
    This is an interesting anecdote but it doesn't actually appear to answer the question. Would you consider editing to fix that?
    $endgroup$
    – David Z
    3 hours ago




    $begingroup$
    This is an interesting anecdote but it doesn't actually appear to answer the question. Would you consider editing to fix that?
    $endgroup$
    – David Z
    3 hours ago











    2












    $begingroup$

    “One over $r$” is spoken English for the mathematical expression $1/r$, and similarly for “one over” anything else. More generally “$a$ over $b$“ means $a/b$.



    You will learn a lot more more if you are not embarrassed to ask about things you don’t understand. If you don’t want to ask in front of the whole class, ask the teacher after the class. Or ask this site.






    share|cite|improve this answer











    $endgroup$


















      2












      $begingroup$

      “One over $r$” is spoken English for the mathematical expression $1/r$, and similarly for “one over” anything else. More generally “$a$ over $b$“ means $a/b$.



      You will learn a lot more more if you are not embarrassed to ask about things you don’t understand. If you don’t want to ask in front of the whole class, ask the teacher after the class. Or ask this site.






      share|cite|improve this answer











      $endgroup$
















        2












        2








        2





        $begingroup$

        “One over $r$” is spoken English for the mathematical expression $1/r$, and similarly for “one over” anything else. More generally “$a$ over $b$“ means $a/b$.



        You will learn a lot more more if you are not embarrassed to ask about things you don’t understand. If you don’t want to ask in front of the whole class, ask the teacher after the class. Or ask this site.






        share|cite|improve this answer











        $endgroup$



        “One over $r$” is spoken English for the mathematical expression $1/r$, and similarly for “one over” anything else. More generally “$a$ over $b$“ means $a/b$.



        You will learn a lot more more if you are not embarrassed to ask about things you don’t understand. If you don’t want to ask in front of the whole class, ask the teacher after the class. Or ask this site.







        share|cite|improve this answer














        share|cite|improve this answer



        share|cite|improve this answer








        edited 5 hours ago

























        answered 5 hours ago









        G. SmithG. Smith

        6,0181021




        6,0181021






















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