Chapter 10: Problem 19
Use radical notation to write each expression. Simplify if possible. $$ (-64)^{2 / 3} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The simplified expression is 16.
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Expression
The given expression is \((-64)^{2/3}\). The fraction \(\frac{2}{3}\) as an exponent means the cube root squared.
02
Rewrite Using Radical Notation
Rewriting the expression in terms of radicals, we have: \(((-64)^{1/3})^2= (\sqrt[3]{-64})^2\).This represents the cube root of \(-64\) squared.
03
Evaluate the Cube Root
Find the cube root of \(-64\). You know that \(-4\times -4 \times -4 = -64\). Therefore, \(\sqrt[3]{-64} = -4\).
04
Square the Result
Square the result from the cube root calculation. That is: \((-4)^2 = 16\).
05
Solution Verification
Verify the simplification by recalculating if necessary. Re-evaluation confirms that the steps lead to the consistent answer of \(16\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Exponentiation
Exponentiation is a mathematical operation that simplifies the process of repeated multiplication of a number. It's expressed with a number, known as the base, and a smaller number written above and to the right, called the exponent.
For example, in the expression \(-64^{2/3}\), \(-64\) is the base and \(rac{2}{3}\) is the exponent. The exponent tells you how many times to multiply the base by itself. In this case:
For example, in the expression \(-64^{2/3}\), \(-64\) is the base and \(rac{2}{3}\) is the exponent. The exponent tells you how many times to multiply the base by itself. In this case:
- The numerator (2) means you'll square the result of the base raised to the power of the denominator (3).
- The denominator (3) indicates you're looking to take the cube root of the base.
Rational Exponents
Rational exponents involve fractions as exponents, which can be seen as a way to express both roots and powers in one expression. The expression \(-64^{2/3}\) is a perfect example.
- The rational exponent \(rac{2}{3}\) suggests that we first take the cube root of \(-64\), then square the result.
- Rational exponents are useful because they allow one to rewrite expressions involving roots in a uniform manner.
Cube Root
The cube root of a number is one of its roots that, when multiplied by itself twice, results in the original number. In mathematical terms, if \(x^3 = a\), then \(x\) is said to be a cube root of \(a\).
- For \(-64\), the cube root is \(-4\), since \(-4 \times -4 \times -4 = -64\).
- Cube roots are special because they can apply to both positive and negative numbers, while square roots are generally only for non-negative numbers without resulting in imaginary numbers.
Simplification
Simplification in mathematics means expressing a mathematical idea in its simplest form. It involves combining like terms, reducing fractions, and executing any arithmetic operations involved.
- For the expression \((-64)^{2/3}\), simplification occurs by first finding the cube root \(-4\) and then squaring it to reach \(16\).
- This step-by-step approach reduces the expression to its simplest form, making it easier to understand and work with.