Chapter 7: Problem 50
Simplify each number. $$(-343)^{\frac{1}{3}}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
-7
Step by step solution
01
Understand the fraction as an exponent
First, note that the exponent \(\frac{1}{3}\) signifies a cube root. This means that we are looking for a number that, when cubed, equals -343.
02
Identify the cube root
Knowing that the cube root of 343 is 7, we should recognize that the cube root of -343 is -7. This is because the cube of 7, \(7^3\), is 343, and the cube of -7, \((-7)^3\), is -343.
03
Substitute back into the expression
Now that we know the cube root of -343 is -7, we can simplify \( (-343)^{\frac{1}{3}} \) to be -7.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Cube Roots
Cube roots are the inverse operation of cubing a number. When we calculate the cube root of a number, we are essentially looking for a value that, when multiplied by itself three times, gives the original number. For example, the cube root of 8 is 2, because \[2 \times 2 \times 2 = 8.\]This concept also applies to negative numbers. The cube root of \((-343)\) is \(-7\), because:
- \((-7) \times (-7) = 49\)
- \(49 \times (-7) = -343\)
Simplifying Expressions
Simplifying expressions with rational exponents requires an understanding of how exponents and roots interact. A rational exponent is a fraction like \(\frac{1}{3}\), which indicates a root. The process of simplifying involves converting the expression to a root, calculating the root, and rewriting the expression with a simplified result.For the expression \((-343)^{\frac{1}{3}}\):
- The exponent \(\frac{1}{3}\) tells us to find the cube root of \(-343\).
- We know from experience that the cube root of \(-343\) is \(-7\).
- Therefore, the expression simplifies directly to \(-7\).
Negative Numbers
Handling negative numbers in mathematical operations can seem tricky at first, but understanding their properties makes it easier. When you cube a negative number, the result is always negative because:
- A negative times a negative is positive (e.g., \(-3 \times -3 = 9\)).
- Multiplying this positive result by another negative makes it negative again (e.g., \(9 \times -3 = -27\)).