Chapter 10: Problem 62
Simplify \(\sqrt[3]{-250}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
-5 \cdot \sqrt[3]{2}
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Problem
The task is to simplify the expression \(\sqrt[3]{-250}\). We are looking for the cube root of -250.
02
Identify the Cube Root of Negative Numbers
Remember that the cube root of a negative number is also a negative number. So we will find the cube root of 250 and then take the negative of that result.
03
Express 250 as a Product of its Prime Factors
Find the prime factors of 250. We get 250 = 2 * 5^3.
04
Simplify the Cube Root
We can write: \(\sqrt[3]{250} = \sqrt[3]{2 \cdot 5^3}\). Since \(\sqrt[3]{5^3} = 5\), the expression simplifies to \(\sqrt[3]{2} \cdot 5\).
05
Include the Negative Sign
Since we are finding the cube root of -250, we need to include the negative sign. Therefore, \(\sqrt[3]{-250} = -5 \cdot \sqrt[3]{2}\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
cube root
A cube root is the number that, when multiplied by itself three times, gives the original number. For instance, the cube root of 8 is 2 since 2 * 2 * 2 = 8. We denote the cube root of a number as \(\sqrt[3]{a}\). Unlike square roots, cube roots can be taken of both positive and negative numbers. This is because a negative number multiplied by itself three times will yield a negative result. For example, \$-2 \cdot -2 \cdot -2 = -8\$$.
negative numbers
When dealing with cube roots of negative numbers, it's important to note that the result will also be negative. This is different from square roots, which cannot have a negative result within the set of real numbers. For example, \(\sqrt[3]{-8} = -2\) because \$-2 \cdot -2 \cdot -2 = -8\$$. In our exercise, simplifying \(\sqrt[3]{-250}\) means finding the cube root of 250 first and then applying the negative sign.
prime factorization
Prime factorization is the process of breaking a number down into its smallest prime factors. For example, the prime factorization of 250 is done by dividing it by prime numbers:\
\$250 \div 2 = 125\$$ \$125 \div 5 = 25\$$ \$25 \div 5 = 5\$$ \$5 \div 5 = 1\$$
Thus, we have that 250 = \(\2 \cdot 5^3\). This allows us to further simplify the cube root.
\$250 \div 2 = 125\$$ \$125 \div 5 = 25\$$ \$25 \div 5 = 5\$$ \$5 \div 5 = 1\$$
Thus, we have that 250 = \(\2 \cdot 5^3\). This allows us to further simplify the cube root.
simplification process
The simplification process involves rewriting a complex expression in its simplest form. To simplify \(\sqrt[3]{250} = \sqrt[3]{2 \cdot 5^3}\) we recognize that the cube root of \(\5^3\) is simply 5, as \(\sqrt[3]{5^3} = 5\). We then include the negative sign, because we are dealing with \(\sqrt[3]{-250}\). So, we get \(\-5 \cdot \sqrt[3]{2}\). This results in our simplified form: \(\-5 \cdot \sqrt[3]{2}\).