Chapter 5: Problem 23
Simplify each numerical expression. \(\left(5^{3}\right)^{-1}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The simplified expression is \(\frac{1}{125}\).
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Problem
The expression \(\left(5^{3}\right)^{-1}\) involves finding the negative power of a number. We need to simplify this according to the rules of exponents.
02
Recall the Rule of Negative Exponents
Recall that a negative exponent \(a^{-b}\) means taking the reciprocal of the base raised to the positive power: \(a^{-b} = \frac{1}{a^b}\).
03
Apply the Negative Exponent Rule
Apply the rule to the given expression: \(\left(5^{3}\right)^{-1} = \frac{1}{5^3}\).
04
Calculate the Power
Calculate \(5^3\), which means multiplying 5 by itself three times: \(5 \times 5 \times 5 = 125\).
05
Simplify the Expression
Insert the value of \(5^3\) into the expression in the denominator. Thus, \(\frac{1}{5^3} = \frac{1}{125}\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Exponent Rules
When dealing with exponents, it's helpful to remember a set of essential rules that can simplify calculations and make your life easier. Exponents represent repeated multiplication of a base number. That means, for example, that when you see an expression like \(5^3\), it simply means multiply 5 by itself three times: \(5 \times 5 \times 5\).
Here are some key rules to keep in mind:
Here are some key rules to keep in mind:
- **Multiplication of Powers**: When multiplying two powers with the same base, add the exponents: \(a^m \times a^n = a^{m+n}\).
- **Division of Powers**: When dividing two powers with the same base, subtract the exponents: \(a^m \div a^n = a^{m-n}\).
- **Power of a Power**: When raising a power to another power, multiply the exponents: \((a^m)^n = a^{m\times n}\).
- **Negative Exponents**: A negative exponent \(a^{-b}\) means taking the reciprocal of the base raised to the positive power: \(a^{-b} = \frac{1}{a^b}\).
- **Zero Exponent**: Any non-zero base raised to the zero power equals one: \(a^0 = 1\).
Reciprocal
The concept of a reciprocal is quite simple yet incredibly useful when dealing with exponents, especially negative ones. A reciprocal of a number is basically "flipping" it, or more technically, it's the value that, when multiplied by the original number, results in 1.
For example, the reciprocal of 5 is \(\frac{1}{5}\), because \(5 \times \frac{1}{5} = 1\).
For example, the reciprocal of 5 is \(\frac{1}{5}\), because \(5 \times \frac{1}{5} = 1\).
- **Negative Exponent as a Reciprocal**: A negative exponent indicates you need to take the reciprocal of the base raised to the positive power. So, \(5^{-3}\) becomes \(\frac{1}{5^3}\).
- The reciprocal approach simplifies expressions, making them easier to understand and solve.
- Reciprocal operations are common in division and simplifying fractions, linking well with the application of negative exponents.
Simplifying Expressions
Simplifying expressions is like solving a puzzle where you find the simplest equivalent expression. This involves using rules such as those for exponents and reciprocals to rewrite complex expressions more manageable.
In our example, \((5^3)^{-1}\), you start by applying the negative exponent rule to determine that this means take the reciprocal of \(5^3\):
In our example, \((5^3)^{-1}\), you start by applying the negative exponent rule to determine that this means take the reciprocal of \(5^3\):
- You transform \((5^3)^{-1}\) into \(\frac{1}{5^3}\).
- Next, calculate the expression \(5^3\) which is \(5 \times 5 \times 5 = 125\).
- Finally, you simplify the expression to \(\frac{1}{125}\).