In Exercises 77–90, simplify each expression. Include absolute value bars where necessary.____³√(−5)³
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Identify the expression: \( \sqrt[3]{(-5)^3} \).
Recognize that the cube root and the cube are inverse operations.
Apply the property: \( \sqrt[3]{a^3} = a \) for any real number \( a \).
Since \( a = -5 \), substitute into the property: \( \sqrt[3]{(-5)^3} = -5 \).
Conclude that the expression simplifies to \(-5\).
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Cube Root
The cube root of a number 'x' is a value 'y' such that y³ = x. It is denoted as ³√x. Unlike square roots, cube roots can be taken of negative numbers, resulting in a negative output. For example, ³√(-5) means finding a number that, when multiplied by itself three times, equals -5.
Exponentiation is a mathematical operation involving two numbers, the base and the exponent. The exponent indicates how many times the base is multiplied by itself. In the expression (−5)³, -5 is the base and 3 is the exponent, meaning -5 is multiplied by itself three times, resulting in -125.
The absolute value of a number is its distance from zero on the number line, regardless of direction. It is denoted by vertical bars, e.g., |x|. For negative numbers, the absolute value converts them to positive. In the context of cube roots, while the cube root of a negative number is negative, the absolute value would represent its positive counterpart.