Chapter 4: Problem 28
Use the order of operations to simplify each expression. $$\left(\frac{1}{6}+\frac{1}{3}\right)^{3}+\left(\frac{2}{5} \cdot \frac{3}{4}\right)^{2}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The expression simplifies to \(\frac{43}{200}\).
Step by step solution
01
Simplify Inside Parentheses
We have two expressions inside parentheses to evaluate separately. For the first part, calculate the sum of fractions: \[\frac{1}{6} + \frac{1}{3} = \frac{1}{6} + \frac{2}{6} = \frac{3}{6} = \frac{1}{2}\] For the second part, calculate the product of fractions: \[\frac{2}{5} \cdot \frac{3}{4} = \frac{6}{20} = \frac{3}{10}\]
02
Apply Exponents
Evaluate the exponents for the simplified expressions. The first expression raised to the power of 3: \[\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^{3} = \frac{1}{8}\] The second expression raised to the power of 2: \[\left(\frac{3}{10}\right)^{2} = \frac{9}{100}\]
03
Add the Results
Add the results from Step 2: \[\frac{1}{8} + \frac{9}{100}\]To add these fractions, find a common denominator. The least common multiple of 8 and 100 is 400. Convert the fractions: \[\frac{1}{8} = \frac{50}{400}, \quad \frac{9}{100} = \frac{36}{400}\] Add the converted fractions: \[\frac{50}{400} + \frac{36}{400} = \frac{86}{400}\] Simplify the fraction: \[\frac{86}{400} = \frac{43}{200}\]
04
Simplification Check
Check that the fraction \(\frac{43}{200}\) is in the simplest form by ensuring that the greatest common divisor (GCD) of 43 and 200 is 1.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Fractions
Fractions represent a part of a whole and are written with two numbers: the numerator on top and the denominator below. When working with fractions in expressions, it's important to follow certain rules.
- Adding fractions: To add fractions, their denominators must be the same. If the denominators are different, you need to find a common denominator before adding them. For example, \(\frac{1}{6} + \frac{1}{3}\) requires converting \(\frac{1}{3}\) to \(\frac{2}{6}\) before adding to get \(\frac{3}{6} = \frac{1}{2}\).
- Multiplying fractions: This is more straightforward—you simply multiply the numerators together and the denominators together. For instance, with \(\frac{2}{5} \cdot \frac{3}{4}\), multiply 2 by 3 and 5 by 4 to get \(\frac{6}{20}\), which simplifies to \(\frac{3}{10}\).
Exponents
Exponents indicate how many times a number, called the base, is multiplied by itself. They are expressed as a smaller number written to the top right of the base. In the expression given, exponents are applied to the results from the parentheses.
- Calculating powers: For instance, to evaluate \(\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^3\), you multiply \(\frac{1}{2} \times \frac{1}{2} \times \frac{1}{2}\), which results in \(\frac{1}{8}\).
- Squared values: Squaring a number means multiplying it by itself, such as \(\left(\frac{3}{10}\right)^2 = \frac{3}{10} \times \frac{3}{10} = \frac{9}{100}\).
Common Denominators
To add or subtract fractions, they must have the same denominator. The denominator represents the total number of equal parts in a whole. When they don't match, you need to find a common denominator that is often the least common multiple (LCM) of the denominators.
- LCM process: For \(\frac{1}{8}\) and \(\frac{9}{100}\), find the LCM of 8 and 100. The smallest number both can divide into is 400. So, convert these fractions: \(\frac{1}{8} = \frac{50}{400}\) and \(\frac{9}{100} = \frac{36}{400}\).
- Adding with a common denominator: Once converted, you simply add the numerators: \(\frac{50}{400} + \frac{36}{400} = \frac{86}{400}\).
Simplification
Simplification means reducing a fraction to its lowest terms so that the numerator and denominator are as small as possible. This often involves finding the greatest common divisor (GCD).
- Finding the GCD: For the fraction \(\frac{86}{400}\), you can simplify by finding the GCD of 86 and 400. Since they don't share any factors other than 1, the simplest form would be \(\frac{43}{200}\).
- Why simplify: Simplified fractions are easier to understand and work with. It's the cleanest way to present a final answer.