Chapter 1: Problem 46
Evaluate each expression without using a calculator. $$ \left(\frac{16}{9}\right)^{-3 / 2} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
\( \left(\frac{16}{9}\right)^{-\frac{3}{2}} = \frac{27}{64} \).
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Expression
The given expression is \( \left(\frac{16}{9}\right)^{-\frac{3}{2}} \). This is a power expression which involves both a fraction and a negative exponent. Our task is to simplify it without using a calculator.
02
Address the Negative Exponent
A negative exponent implies taking the reciprocal of the base. Hence, \( \left(\frac{16}{9}\right)^{-\frac{3}{2}} = \left(\frac{9}{16}\right)^{\frac{3}{2}} \).
03
Simplify the Fraction
We now have \( \left(\frac{9}{16}\right)^{\frac{3}{2}} \). This can be broken down as \( \left(\frac{9}{16}\right)^{\frac{1}{2}} \) and then cubed. First, find the square root of the fraction: \( \frac{9}{16} = \frac{\sqrt{9}}{\sqrt{16}} = \frac{3}{4} \).
04
Cube the Result
Now, take the result from the previous step, \( \frac{3}{4} \), and raise it to the power of 3: \( \left(\frac{3}{4}\right)^3 = \frac{3^3}{4^3} = \frac{27}{64} \).
05
State the Final Result
The simplified form of \( \left(\frac{16}{9}\right)^{-\frac{3}{2}} \) is \( \frac{27}{64} \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Negative exponents
Negative exponents can initially seem a bit confusing, but they're easier to understand once you think of them as instructions for inverses. When you see a negative exponent, it tells you to take the reciprocal of the base. For example, if you have an expression like \( a^{-n} \), you simply take the reciprocal of \( a \) and then raise it to the positive power \( n \).
- Step example: \( \left(\frac{16}{9}\right)^{-\frac{3}{2}} = \left(\frac{9}{16}\right)^{\frac{3}{2}} \)
- The base \( \frac{16}{9} \) was inversed to \( \frac{9}{16} \).
Fractional exponents
Fractional exponents are a way to represent roots using the language of powers. A fractional exponent like \( a^{\frac{m}{n}} \) is a convenient notation that combines the concepts of roots and powers together.
- In the expression \( a^{\frac{m}{n}} \), \( n \) describes the root, and \( m \) describes the power to which the base \( a \) is raised.
- For \( \left(\frac{9}{16}\right)^{\frac{3}{2}} \), you first take the square root (because of the \( \frac{1}{2} \)), resulting in \( \frac{3}{4} \).
- Then, raise the result \( \frac{3}{4} \) to the power of 3.
Simplifying fractions
Simplifying fractions is a fundamental skill in algebra and involves rewriting a fraction to its simplest form. It sounds complex, but involves straightforward steps:
- First, try to factorize the numerator and the denominator to their prime components if needed.
- Divide the highest common factor out of both the numerator and the denominator.
- In \( \left(\frac{9}{16}\right)^{\frac{1}{2}} = \frac{3}{4} \), the square root of each part (\( \sqrt{9} = 3 \) and \( \sqrt{16} = 4 \)) yields the simplified fraction.