Chapter 5: Problem 22
$$\left(-2 w^{-5}\right)^{3}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
-8 w^{-15}
Step by step solution
01
Understand the base and exponent
Identify the base \((-2 w^{-5})\) and the exponent \(3\). The expression \((-2 w^{-5})^3\) means that \(-2 w^{-5}\) is raised to the power of \(3\).
02
Apply the power to the coefficient
Raise the coefficient \(-2\) to the power of \(3\). This means calculating \((-2)^3\). \((-2)^3 = -8\).
03
Apply the power to the variable
Raise the variable part \(w^{-5}\) to the power of \(3\). Use the exponent rule \((a^m)^n = a^{m \times n}\). So, \( (w^{-5})^3 = w^{-5 \times 3} = w^{-15} \).
04
Combine the results
Combine the results from Steps 2 and 3. The coefficient is \(-8\) and the variable part is \w^{-15}\. Hence, \((-2 w^{-5})^3 = -8 w^{-15}\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Algebraic Expressions
Algebraic expressions are a combination of numbers, variables, and operations. In the expression \((-2w^{-5})^{3}\), \(-2\) is the coefficient and \(w^{-5}\) involves the variable \(w\) with an exponent of \(-5\). Knowing how to manipulate such expressions is key in algebra.
Here are the components you need to identify:
Here are the components you need to identify:
- Coefficients: Numerical part, here it is \(-2\).
- Variables: Symbols representing numbers, here it is \(w\).
- Exponents: They tell you how many times to multiply a number by itself, here it is \(-5\) and afterwards applied as \(3\).
Exponent Rules
Exponent rules help simplify expressions involving powers. One important rule used in this problem is the power of a power rule.
Following are the main exponent rules:
Following are the main exponent rules:
- Product of Powers Rule: \(a^{m} \times a^{n} = a^{m+n}\)
- Power of a Power Rule: \((a^{m})^{n} = a^{m \times n}\) – This is used to solve the variable part of \((w^{-5})^{3} = w^{-5 \times 3} = w^{-15}\).
- Power of a Product Rule: \((ab)^{n} = a^{n}b^{n}\)
Negative Exponents
A negative exponent shows that the base is on the opposite side of the fraction. To change a negative exponent into a positive one, you can take the reciprocal of the base.
For example: \(\frac{1}{a^{n}} = a^{-n}\).
In our given expression, \(w^{-5}\) means \(w\) raised to the power of \(-5\). When raised to another power, apply the exponent multiplication rule: \(w^{-5 \times 3} = w^{-15}\). Remember:
For example: \(\frac{1}{a^{n}} = a^{-n}\).
In our given expression, \(w^{-5}\) means \(w\) raised to the power of \(-5\). When raised to another power, apply the exponent multiplication rule: \(w^{-5 \times 3} = w^{-15}\). Remember:
- A negative exponent indicates division, not multiplication.
- To convert, use reciprocal: \(x^{-n} = 1/x^{n}\).
Mathematical Operations
Mathematical operations, like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, are the backbone of algebra.
In the expression \((-2 w^{-5})^{3}\), two main operations are used:
In the expression \((-2 w^{-5})^{3}\), two main operations are used:
- Exponentiation: Raise one number to the power of another. First to coefficient \((-2)^{3} = -8\).
- Multiplication: Combine results from exponentiation. Join \(-8\) and \w^{-15}\ to get final answer \(-8 w^{-15}\).