Chapter 7: Problem 5
Exercises \(1-6\) consist of a number of related parts. Simplify each as completely as possible. (a) \(3-4\) (b) \(x^{3} x^{-4}\) (c) \(3(-4)\) (d) \(\left(x^{3}\right)^{-4}\) (e) \(3-(-4)\) (f) \(\frac{x^{3}}{x^{-4}}\) (g) \(3^{-4}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
-1, \(\frac{1}{x}\), -12, \(\frac{1}{x^{12}}\), 7, \(x^7\), \(\frac{1}{81}\)
Step by step solution
01
Simplify (a)
For part (a), calculate the result of the expression by performing simple subtraction. The expression is: \[ 3 - 4 \ = -1 \]
02
Simplify (b)
For part (b), simplify the expression by using the properties of exponents. The expression is: \[ x^{3} x^{-4} \ = x^{3 + (-4)} \ = x^{-1} \ = \frac{1}{x} \]
03
Simplify (c)
For part (c), calculate the result of the multiplication. The expression is: \[ 3(-4) \ = -12 \]
04
Simplify (d)
For part (d), simplify the expression by using the properties of exponents. The expression is: \[ \big(x^3\big)^{-4} \ = x^{3 \times (-4)} \ = x^{-12} \ = \frac{1}{x^{12}} \]
05
Simplify (e)
For part (e), calculate the result of the expression by performing addition since subtracting a negative number is equivalent to adding the positive number. The expression is: \[ 3 - (-4) \ = 3 + 4 \ = 7 \]
06
Simplify (f)
For part (f), simplify the expression by using the properties of exponents. The expression is: \[ \frac{x^3}{x^{-4}} \ = x^{3 - (-4)} \ = x^{3 + 4} \ = x^7 \]
07
Simplify (g)
For part (g), use the fact that any number raised to the power of a negative exponent is the reciprocal of the number raised to the positive exponent. The expression is: \[ 3^{-4} \ = \frac{1}{3^4} \ = \frac{1}{81} \]
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
simplification of expressions
Simplifying expressions is a fundamental skill in elementary algebra. It often involves combining like terms, using properties of numbers or variables, and performing basic arithmetic operations.
Let's walk through some examples from the exercise:
Let's walk through some examples from the exercise:
- For part (a), '3-4', we see a simple subtraction. Simplifying this, we get: 3 - 4 = -1.
- For part (e), '3-(-4)', we need to remember that subtracting a negative number is the same as adding its positive counterpart. This results in: 3 - (-4) = 3 + 4 = 7.
properties of exponents
Learning the properties of exponents is crucial for handling expressions involving powers of numbers or variables. Here are some properties that were applied in the exercise:
- Product of Powers: When multiplying two exponents with the same base, add their exponents: \(x^a \times x^b = x^{a+b}\). For example, in part (b) 'x^3 x^{-4}', the exponents are added: x^{3 + (-4)} = x^{-1} = \(\frac{1}{x}\).
- Power of a Power: When raising an exponentiated base to another power, multiply the exponents: \(\big(x^a\big)^b = x^{a \times b}\). In part (d), \(\big(x^3\big)^{-4}\) is simplified to x^{3 \times (-4)} = x^{-12} = \(\frac{1}{x^{12}}\).
- Quotient of Powers: When dividing two exponents with the same base, subtract their exponents: \(\frac{x^a}{x^b} = x^{a - b}\). In part (f), \(\frac{x^{3}}{x^{-4}}\) simplifies to x^{3 - (-4)} = x^{7}.
- Negative Exponents: A negative exponent indicates a reciprocal: \(a^{-n} = \frac{1}{a^n}\). In part (g), 3^{-4} becomes \(\frac{1}{3^4}\) = \(\frac{1}{81}\).
basic arithmetic operations
Basic arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division form the foundation of algebra.
Let's consider:
Let's consider:
- Subtraction: In part (a), the operation '3-4' simplifies directly to -1. For part (e), '3-(-4)', subtracting a negative number converts into addition, making it 3 + 4 = 7.
- Multiplication: In part (c), '3(-4)' illustrates multiplication of a positive by a negative number, resulting in -12.
- Division: Although not directly in the operations, understanding how to handle reciprocal expressions like \(\frac{x^3}{x^{-4}}\) in part (f) involves underlying division principles.