Chapter 10: Problem 81
Simplify completely. Assume the variables represent positive real numbers. The answer should contain only positive exponents. \(\left(32 r^{1 / 3} s^{4 / 9}\right)^{3 / 5}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The simplified expression is: \(8r^{\frac{1}{5}}s^{\frac{4}{15}}\).
Step by step solution
01
Distribute the exponent
In this step, we will distribute the exponent \(3/5\) to the terms inside the parentheses:
\(\left(32 r^{1 / 3} s^{4 / 9}\right)^{3 / 5} = 32^{3/5} \cdot r^{\frac{1}{3} \cdot \frac{3}{5}} \cdot s^{\frac{4}{9} \cdot \frac{3}{5}}\)
02
Simplify the exponents
Now we will simplify the exponents by performing the multiplications:
\(32^{3/5} \cdot r^{\frac{3}{15}} \cdot s^{\frac{12}{45}}\)
03
Reduce the fractions
Reduce the fractions in the exponents to the simplest form:
\(32^{3/5} \cdot r^{\frac{1}{5}} \cdot s^{\frac{4}{15}}\)
04
Simplify the power term
Simplify the power term \(32^{3/5}\) by finding the prime factorization of the base (32) and then raising the prime factors to the given power:
\(32 = 2^5\)
Now raise \(2^5\) to the power of \(3/5\):
\((2^5)^{3/5} = 2^{\left(5 \cdot \frac{3}{5}\right)} = 2^3\)
05
Rewrite the expression
Now we rewrite the simplified expression with the simplified power term:
\(2^3 \cdot r^{\frac{1}{5}} \cdot s^{\frac{4}{15}}\)
06
Final expression
The completely simplified expression is:
\(8r^{\frac{1}{5}}s^{\frac{4}{15}}\)
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Exponents
Exponents, often called powers, indicate how many times a number, known as the base, is multiplied by itself. For example, in the expression \(a^n\), \(a\) is the base and \(n\) is the exponent. This means the base \(a\) is multiplied by itself \(n\) times.
- Exponents are a shorthand way to express repeated multiplication.
- For instance, \(3^4\) means \(3 \times 3 \times 3 \times 3 = 81\).
- Exponents can be used with any real numbers as the base.
- Fractional exponents, in contrast, indicate roots or combinations of roots and powers.
Fractional Exponents
Fractional exponents, such as \(a^{m/n}\), describe a root and a power within the same expression. The numerator \(m\) indicates the power to which the base is raised, while the denominator \(n\) signifies the root.
- \(a^{1/n}\) is equivalent to the \(n\)-th root of \(a\).
- For example, \(a^{1/2}\) is the square root of \(a\), denoted \(\sqrt{a}\).
- Similarly, \(a^{m/n}\) is equal to \((\sqrt[n]{a})^m\).
Prime Factorization
Prime factorization involves breaking down a composite number into smaller prime numbers multiplied together. This method is particularly helpful in simplifying expressions involving powers.
- A prime number is a number greater than 1 that has no divisors other than 1 and itself. Examples include 2, 3, 5, and 7.
- Prime factorization expresses a number as a product of its prime factors.
- For example, the prime factorization of 32 is \(2^5\), indicating it consists of multiplying five 2's together.