Chapter 3: Problem 106
For the following problems, evaluate each numerical expression. $$ 2^{-5} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
Answer: \(\frac{1}{32}\)
Step by step solution
01
Write the expression as a fraction
First, we need to rewrite the expression with a negative exponent as a fraction. To do this, we can use the rule \(a^{-n} = \frac{1}{a^n}\). So, \(2^{-5}\) can be rewritten as:
$$
2^{-5} = \frac{1}{2^5}
$$
02
Calculate the denominator
Now, we need to find the value of \(2^5\). Remember that \(2^5\) means multiplying \(2\) by itself four more times:
$$
2^5 = 2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 2 = 32
$$
03
Write the final answer
We found that the denominator is 32. The last step is to write the final answer.
$$
\frac{1}{2^5} = \frac{1}{32}
$$
So, the value of the expression \(2^{-5}\) is \(\frac{1}{32}\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Negative Exponents
Negative exponents might look a bit tricky at first, but understanding them is quite straightforward. When we have a negative exponent, like in the expression \(2^{-5}\), it essentially means that we are dealing with the reciprocal of the base raised to the corresponding positive exponent.
The rule to remember is:
The rule to remember is:
- \(a^{-n} = \frac{1}{a^n}\)
Fraction Representation
Now, let's talk about converting expressions with negative exponents into fractions. As we've seen, the negative exponent indicates a reciprocal.
For example, in the case of \(2^{-5}\), converting it to a fraction involves flipping the position of 2, the base number, to the denominator:
For example, in the case of \(2^{-5}\), converting it to a fraction involves flipping the position of 2, the base number, to the denominator:
- \(2^{-5} = \frac{1}{2^5}\)
Numerical Expression Evaluation
Evaluating a numerical expression means calculating its value. When given an expression like \(2^{-5}\), we first rewrite using the rules of exponents and then evaluate its numerical value.
In our example, once we have \(2^{-5} = \frac{1}{2^5}\), we need to evaluate \(2^5\). This involves simple multiplication, \(2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 2\).
This is equivalent to:
In our example, once we have \(2^{-5} = \frac{1}{2^5}\), we need to evaluate \(2^5\). This involves simple multiplication, \(2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 2\).
This is equivalent to:
- 2 multiplied by itself 5 times
- Resulting in \(2^5 = 32\)
Powers of Two
The power of two is a fundamental concept in mathematics, computer science, and many fields of study. It denotes the number of times the base number 2 is multiplied by itself. So, for \(2^5\), this means multiplying 2, five times.
Understanding the power of two is particularly useful because it's a simple example, and powers of two often show up in computation and data storage.
Understanding the power of two is particularly useful because it's a simple example, and powers of two often show up in computation and data storage.
- \(2^1 = 2\)
- \(2^2 = 4\)
- \(2^3 = 8\)
- \(2^4 = 16\)
- \(2^5 = 32\)