I haven't done any of these math problems in awhile...

[Br3tt96]

Any help would be appreciated!

(-5)^((-0.6) x (-1.5)) x (((-5.3+5.3) x 5.5) / 8.7)

I thought the second half is zero, but when I solve the whole thing I get zero. My teacher said the answer was 1...

[ineedhelppleasehelp]

4.20

[Stefan1024]

Its (-5)^0 = 1

[manikyath]

well... you can always punch it into a calculator...

[mikat]

Its (-5)^0 = 1

yes.

[Sylvanar]

I think it should be 0 cuz the exponent of -5 is ((-0.6)/(-1.5)) and the bracket is closed as a whole. Then new term starts which amounts to zero. So, something * 0 = 0

 

For the answer to be 1 the exponent should be inside 1 big bracket like

 

(-5)^(((-0.6) x (-1.5)) x (((-5.3+5.3) x 5.5) / 8.7))

 

but in the above question there are 2 terms.

[megadarkwood]

http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=%28-5%29%5E%28%28-0.6%29+x+%28-1.5%29%29+x+%28%28%28-5.3%2B5.3%29+x+5.5%29+%2F+8.7%29

[slightlyjaded]

no it's -5^(-2.1*(1/8.7))

 

If you're teacher's telling you that's one, then he's an idiot.

[Br3tt96]

no it's -5^(-2.1*(1/8.7))

 

If you're teacher's telling you that's one, then he's an idiot.

The teacher is actually a woman. That's probably the issue righ there, "woman."

[slightlyjaded]

The teacher is actually a woman. That's probably the issue righ there, "woman."

then she's an idiot....seriously. That equation is going to give you a non-recurring decimal. What I typed is the most accurate representation of what you gave me. If you want bonus marks I can give you my working.

[SolarNova]

Been a long time since I got my math brain going, and i used to be pretty good ..off the top of my head that looks to equal 0...unless im missing something.

[slightlyjaded]

oops I screwed up.. just a sec.

 

Okay it isn't going to be one, but it is going to be an irrational number.

 

-5^-(2.1*(0/8.7))

[Br3tt96]

So many answers, not sure what to use. Lol

[slightlyjaded]

The thing is, contrary to popular belief, zero is actually a number. and it is divisible, it just won't actually give you an answer.

[slightlyjaded]

it actually depends on whether it's 5^2.1 x(0/8.7)

 

or 5^(2.1 x(0/8.7))

[slightlyjaded]

It could just be 42....The ultimate answer to life the universe, and everything.

[SolarNova]

Correct me if im wrong, but the second half this equation (((-5.3+5.3) x 5.5) / 8.7) results in 0 ..so multiply what u like by it ..its 0 ..right ?

[Br3tt96]

Correct me if im wrong, but the second half this equation (((-5.3+5.3) x 5.5) / 8.7) results in 0 ..so multiply what u like by it ..its 0 ..right ?

I keep working it out and getting zero. It's somewhat basic (pemdas).

[slightlyjaded]

I keep working it out and getting zero. It's somewhat basic (pemdas).

your calculator will give you zero because it's irrational. Calculators can't do irrational numbers which is why when you get to uni you won't use your calculator for the first year.

 

Sometimes the best answer is taking the equation as far as it will go, and using it as a representation of a number that doesn't actually exist.

[slightlyjaded]

btw. your teacher is saying that it equals zero because any number to the power of zero equals 1.....The problem here is that while your calculator will generate zero for the equation, what it really is, is an irrational number. it isn't zero, it just isn't calculatable.

[ionbasa]

your calculator will give you zero because it's irrational. Calculators can't do irrational numbers which is why when you get to uni you won't use your calculator for the first year.

 

Sometimes the best answer is taking the equation as far as it will go, and using it as a representation of a number that doesn't actually exist.

Actually, the answer still is zero in rectangular complex numbers. FYI.

EG:

The left hand of the equation is (-5)^(-0.6*-1.5) =~ -4.048+1.315i 

The right hand is equal to 0.

Therefore : 0 + 0i

 

PS: Ti-Nspire will do irrational computation in rectangular or polar.

Edited September 7, 2015 by ionbasa

[Trik'Stari]

Google is your friend.

[slightlyjaded]

Actually, the answer still is zero in rectangular complex numbers. FYI.

EG:

The left hand of the equation is (-5)^(-0.6*-1.5) =~ -4.048+1.315i 

The right hand is equal to 0.

Therefore : 0 + 0i

 

PS: Ti-Nspire will do irrational computation in rectangular or polar.

damn I hate being wrong....left side actually equals -5^0.9....But the right side equals zero.....any number multiplied by zero still equals zero, so we get the same answer....Sorry got thrown by the stacked brackets.

[Philosobyte]

https://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=%28-5%29%5E%28%28-0.6%29+%28-1.5%29%29++%28%28%28-5.3%2B5.3%295.5%29+%2F+8.7%29

 

For some reason the https connection isn't completely secure, says it uses a deprecated algorithm. If you don't trust the link, punch it into Wolfram Alpha yourself.
 

It equals zero unless a pair of parentheses are missing.

 

https://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=%28-5%29%5E%28%28%28-0.6%29+%28-1.5%29%29++%28%28%28-5.3%2B5.3%295.5%29+%2F+8.7%29%29

 

^^^ The version where it equals 1

 

This is pretty simple math complicated by bad formatting. 

[Br3tt96]

I left it as zero and turned it in.