Chapter 9: Problem 55
Solve each equation. Round to the nearest tenth, if necessary. $$\frac{x^{2}}{2}=51$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
\( x \approx \pm 10.1 \)
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Equation
We start with the equation \( \frac{x^{2}}{2}=51 \). This equation states that the square of \( x \) divided by 2 equals 51.
02
Clear the Fraction
To eliminate the fraction, multiply both sides of the equation by 2. This gives us \( x^{2} = 51 \times 2 \).
03
Simplify the Right Side
Calculate \( 51 \times 2 \) to simplify the right side of the equation, yielding \( x^{2} = 102 \).
04
Solve for x by Taking the Square Root
To solve for \( x \), take the square root of both sides of the equation: \( x = \pm\sqrt{102} \).
05
Calculate and Round the Square Root
Approximating \( \sqrt{102} \) gives \( 10.0995\ldots \). Since we need to round to the nearest tenth, the solution is approximately \( x \approx \pm 10.1 \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Understanding Squaring
Squaring is a mathematical operation where you multiply a number by itself. This action is denoted by the small "2" raised above the number, like this:
- For example, if you have a number \( x \), then squaring it means calculating \( x^2 = x \times x \).
- For instance, the square of 5 is \( 5^2 = 25 \).
- Identifying the square in the equation.
- Using operations to isolate \( x^2 \) so you can later solve for \( x \).
Exploring Square Roots
A square root operation accomplishes the opposite of squaring. It finds a number which, when multiplied by itself, equals the original value under the square root:
- The square root of \( 25 \) is \( 5 \) because \( 5 \times 5 = 25 \).
- Similarly, \( \sqrt{49} = 7 \) because \( 7 \times 7 = 49 \).
- First, you need to isolate the term \( x^2 \).
- Then take the square root of both sides to solve for \( x \).
- Square roots have both positive and negative values.
- For example, \( \sqrt{102} \approx 10.0995 \), so \( x \approx \pm 10.1 \) when rounded.
The Rounding Decimals Technique
Rounding decimals helps in simplifying a number to make it easier to read and use in real-world applications. We often round to a certain place value, such as the nearest tenth. Here's how you round decimal numbers:
- Look at the number in the place value just after the one you're rounding to.
- For example, with \( 10.0995 \), look at the number in the hundredths place: 9.
- If this number is 5 or greater, you round the tenths place up. If it's less than 5, leave it as is.
- In solving \( \pm \sqrt{102} \approx 10.0995 \), you round to 10.1.
- The decision to round up is based on the second digit after the decimal in 10.0995.