Chapter 10: Problem 42
Find each root. Assume that all variables represent nonnegative real numbers. $$\sqrt{256 x^{8}}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The root is \( 16x^4 \).
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Problem
You are asked to find the roots of the expression \( \sqrt{256 x^8} \). This means simplifying the expression under the square root.
02
Simplify the Square Root
To simplify \( \sqrt{256 x^8} \), you need to take the square root of both 256 and \( x^8 \).
03
Calculate the Square Root of 256
The square root of 256 is 16, since \( 16^2 = 256 \).
04
Calculate the Square Root of \( x^8 \)
The square root of \( x^8 \) is \( x^{8/2} = x^4 \). This is because when you take the square root, you divide the exponent by 2.
05
Combine the Results
Combine the square roots calculated in Steps 3 and 4 to get \( \sqrt{256 x^8} = 16x^4 \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Simplifying Radical Expressions
Simplifying radical expressions involves breaking down expressions under a square root to their simplest form. This process makes calculations easier and the expression clearer. To simplify radicals:
- Identify factors or perfect powers under the root that can be simplified. For example, in \( \sqrt{256 x^8} \), the number 256 and the expression \( x^8 \) are both perfect powers.
- Calculate their roots separately. Find the square root of 256, which is 16, because \( 16^2 = 256 \). Similarly, for variables like \( x^8 \), take the root by dividing the exponent by 2, giving us \( x^4 \).
- Combine the results. Join all simplified parts back under the same expression: \( \sqrt{256 x^8} = 16x^4 \).
Exponents
Exponents indicate how many times to multiply a number by itself. They simplify repeated multiplication, making large computations more manageable. For instance, in \( x^8 \), the exponent 8 tells you that \( x \) is multiplied by itself 8 times.
- Division of exponents: When simplifying roots, divide the exponent by 2 to find the square root. For \( x^8 \), dividing 8 by 2 gives \( x^4 \).
- Multiplication property: Multiplying like bases with exponents adds the exponents, such as \( x^a \times x^b = x^{a+b} \).
- Power of a power: Raising a power to a power multiplies the exponents, like \( (x^a)^b = x^{ab} \).
Nonnegative Real Numbers
Real numbers include all rational and irrational numbers. When we focus on nonnegative real numbers, these are numbers that are greater than or equal to zero.
- Nonnegativity: This means these numbers do not include negative values, but zero is included.
- Significance in expressions: In radical expressions like \( \sqrt{256 x^8} \), assuming variables represent nonnegative real numbers ensures the results of roots and powers are defined real numbers.
- Provides validity: By assuming nonnegative numbers, it removes complexities involved with negative square roots or imaginary numbers.