Chapter 4: Problem 12
Evaluate each expression. Do not use a calculator. $$-16^{3 / 2}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The expression evaluates to -64.
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Expression
The expression given is
$$-16^{3/2}$$.
This expression includes a negative sign outside the base 16, which indicates that we should apply the exponent to 16 first and then apply the negative sign.
02
Simplify the Exponentiation
The fraction \(\frac{3}{2}\) as an exponent involves two steps: first taking the square root (since the denominator is 2), and then cubing the result (since the numerator is 3).Let's start with taking the square root of 16: \( \sqrt{16} = 4. \)
03
Apply the Cubing
Next, cube the result from Step 2, which is 4: \( 4^3 = 4 \times 4 \times 4 = 64. \)
04
Apply the Negative Sign
Finally, apply the negative sign outside the entire power operation: \(-16^{3/2} = -64.\)
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Exponentiation
Exponentiation is a way to express repeated multiplication of the same number. When you see an expression like \(16^{3/2}\), it tells us to take 16 and raise it to the power of \(\frac{3}{2}\). Exponents can be tricky because they can be fractions or negative.
When you encounter a fractional exponent, like \(\frac{3}{2}\), it means you should first take a root and then raise the result to the power.
When you encounter a fractional exponent, like \(\frac{3}{2}\), it means you should first take a root and then raise the result to the power.
- The denominator (2) indicates the root, which is the square root in this case.
- The numerator (3) is the power to which you raise the result.
Square Root
A square root is a number that, when multiplied by itself, gives the original number. It’s denoted by the radical symbol \(\sqrt{}\).
- For example, the square root of 16 is written as \(\sqrt{16}\).
- This equals 4 because \(4 \times 4 = 16\).
Negative Numbers
Negative numbers are values less than zero, represented with a minus (-) sign. When they appear outside an expression, it affects the entire result. In our problem, we have \(-16^{3/2}\).
Here, the negative sign is applied after all other operations on the expression. So, you complete the exponentiation process entirely, first determining what \(16^{3/2}\) resolves to, which is 64, and then apply the negative sign:
Here, the negative sign is applied after all other operations on the expression. So, you complete the exponentiation process entirely, first determining what \(16^{3/2}\) resolves to, which is 64, and then apply the negative sign:
- This results in \(-64\).
Simplification
Simplification is the process of breaking down an expression into a more manageable or reduced form. In math, this means performing operations such as exponentiation, rooting, and applying signs in a structured manner. Consider these simplified steps:
- First, process any roots in an expression like finding \(\sqrt{16} = 4\).
- Then, handle the remaining operations such as \(4^3\), which equals 64.
- Finally, incorporate any negative signs as needed, giving us \(-64\).