The opposite of a number is simply its negation. For the number 8, the opposite is -8. This is because when you add a number to its opposite, you get zero (8 + -8 = 0).
The reciprocal of a number is defined as 1 divided by that number. Therefore, the reciprocal of 8 is 1/8. In mathematical terms, when you multiply a number by its reciprocal, you get 1 (8 * 1/8 = 1).
To summarize:
- Opposite of 8: -8
- Reciprocal of 8: 1/8