Problem

Simplify cube root of (24x^3)/(36x)

The question asks for the simplification of a radical expression involving a cube root. Specifically, you need to find the simplest form of the cube root of a fraction that contains variables with exponents: the numerator is 24x^3 and the denominator is 36x. Simplification in this context typically involves reducing the fraction to its lowest terms and then applying the properties of exponents and radicals to simplify the expression inside the cube root as much as possible.

24x336x3

Answer

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Solution:

Step 1: Simplify the Fraction Inside the Cube Root

Divide the numerator and denominator by their greatest common factor.

Step 1.1

Extract the factor of 12 from the numerator: 12(2x3)36x3

Step 1.2

Extract the factor of 12 from the denominator: 12(2x3)12(3x)3

Step 1.3

Eliminate the common factor of 12: 12(2x3)12(3x)3

Step 1.4

Rewrite the simplified fraction: 2x33x3

Step 2: Further Simplify the Fraction

Remove common factors of x from the numerator and denominator.

Step 2.1

Factor out x from the numerator: x(2x2)3x3

Step 2.2: Cancel Common Factors

Step 2.2.1

Factor out x from the denominator: x(2x2)x33

Step 2.2.2

Cancel the x: x(2x2)x33

Step 2.2.3

Rewrite the expression: 2x233

Step 3: Separate the Cube Root

Split the cube root of the fraction into the cube root of the numerator and the cube root of the denominator: 2x2333

Step 4: Rationalize the Denominator

Multiply by the conjugate of the cube root of the denominator to rationalize it.

Multiply by (33)2(33)2.

Step 5: Simplify the Denominator

Combine and simplify the terms in the denominator.

Step 5.1

Multiply the numerator and the denominator by (33)2: 2x23(33)233(33)2

Step 5.2

Raise 33 to the first power: 2x23(33)2(33)1(33)2

Step 5.3

Combine exponents using the power rule aman=am+n: 2x23(33)2(33)1+2

Step 5.4

Add the exponents: 2x23(33)2(33)3

Step 5.5: Rewrite the Cube Root as an Exponent

Step 5.5.1

Express 33 as 313: 2x23(33)2(313)3

Step 5.5.2

Apply the power rule (am)n=amn: 2x23(33)23133

Step 5.5.3

Multiply the exponents: 2x23(33)2333

Step 5.5.4

Simplify the exponent: 2x23(33)231

Step 5.5.5

Evaluate the exponent: 2x23(33)23

Step 6: Simplify the Numerator

Combine the cube roots in the numerator.

Step 6.1

Rewrite (33)2 as 323: 2x233233

Step 6.2

Calculate 32: 2x23933

Step 7: Final Simplification

Combine the cube roots into a single cube root.

Step 7.1

Use the product rule for radicals: 2x2933

Step 7.2

Multiply 2 by 9: 18x233

Knowledge Notes:

The problem-solving process involves simplifying a cube root of a fraction, which requires understanding of several mathematical concepts:

  1. Factorization: This is the process of breaking down numbers into their prime factors or breaking down algebraic expressions into simpler components that can be canceled or combined.

  2. Radicals and Rational Exponents: Radicals (such as cube roots) can also be expressed as rational exponents. For example, a3=a13. This property is used to simplify expressions involving cube roots.

  3. Simplifying Fractions: When simplifying fractions, any common factors in the numerator and denominator can be canceled out.

  4. Properties of Exponents: The power rule aman=am+n and the rule (am)n=amn are used to simplify expressions with exponents.

  5. Rationalizing the Denominator: When a radical is present in the denominator, it is often desirable to "rationalize" the denominator by eliminating the radical. This is done by multiplying the numerator and denominator by a suitable form of 1 that contains the radical.

  6. Product Rule for Radicals: The product rule states that anbn=abn, which allows us to combine radicals under a single radical sign.

By applying these concepts in a step-by-step manner, the given cube root expression is simplified to a more manageable form.

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