Chapter 10: Problem 60
Rationalize each numerator. Assume that all variables represent positive real numbers. \(\sqrt[3]{\frac{9 y}{7}}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
Rationalized expression: \( \frac{3y \cdot \sqrt[3]{7}}{\sqrt[3]{21y^2}} \).
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Problem
The given expression to be rationalized is \( \sqrt[3]{\frac{9y}{7}} \). Rationalizing the numerator involves eliminating any radicals (roots) from the numerator of a fraction. Since this is a cube root, we'll manipulate it for rationalization.
02
Identify Needed Factors
To rationalize, we need the numerator to be a perfect cube. The current numerator is 9y, expressed as the cube root: \( \sqrt[3]{9} \cdot \sqrt[3]{y} \). To make 9 a perfect cube, think of a factor that, when multiplied by 9, forms a perfect cube. We know that \(9 = 3^2\); therefore, multiplying by another \(3^1\) (which is \(3\)) makes it \(3^3 = 27\). For \(y\), multiplying by \(y^2\) will create \(y^3\). The needed factor for the entire numerator is \(3y^2\).
03
Multiply the Numerator and Denominator
Multiply the entire expression by \( \frac{\sqrt[3]{3y^2}}{\sqrt[3]{3y^2}} \) to maintain the original value of the expression while rationalizing. This will give us: \[ \frac{\sqrt[3]{27y^3} \cdot \sqrt[3]{7}}{\sqrt[3]{21y^2}} \].
04
Solve for Rationalized Numerator
Calculate the cube root of the numerator: \( \sqrt[3]{27y^3} = 3y \). Our new expression becomes: \( \frac{3y \cdot \sqrt[3]{7}}{\sqrt[3]{21y^2}} \). The numerator is now rationalized: 3y.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Cube roots
A cube root, denoted by the symbol \( \sqrt[3]{} \), represents a number that, when multiplied by itself and then multiplied by itself again, equals the original number under the cube root. Simply put, if \( x^3 = a \), then \( x \) is the cube root of \( a \).Cube roots are crucial when dealing with expressions that involve radicals, as they help simplify terms by reducing them to their most basic form:
- Cube roots can appear in fractions, such as \( \sqrt[3]{\frac{9y}{7}} \).
- Solving a cube root expression often involves finding a simpler or more manageable form.
- Cube roots are particularly important when rationalizing numerators with radicals.
Perfect cubes
A perfect cube is a number that can be expressed as the cube of an integer or variable: \( a^3 = b \). For example, 27 is a perfect cube because it can be expressed as \( 3 \times 3 \times 3 = 3^3 \).Understanding perfect cubes is helpful in:
- Simplifying radical expressions in mathematics by allowing counterparts of cube roots.
- Rationalizing numerators to achieve a simpler, rational form.
Fractions with radicals
When working with fractions that contain radicals, like \( \sqrt[3]{\frac{9y}{7}} \), the task often involves transforming the radical expression into a more manageable form. This concept, known as rationalization, focuses on removing the radicals from either the numerator or the denominator to simplify the fraction.To rationalize:
- Identify the necessary factors needed to make the radical expression a perfect cube.
- Multiply both the numerator and the denominator by these factors, in cube root form, to maintain the fraction's value.
- Simplify the expression by solving the cube root of the perfect cube in the numerator.