Q. Evaluate \(5\lvert x^3 – 2\rvert + 7\) when \(x = -2\).
Answer
Compute \(5\lvert x^{3}-2\rvert+7\) for \(x=-2\):
\(x^{3}=(-2)^{3}=-8\)
\(x^{3}-2=-8-2=-10\)
\(\lvert x^{3}-2\rvert=10\)
\(5\lvert x^{3}-2\rvert+7=5\cdot 10+7=57\)
Final result: 57.
Detailed Explanation
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Write the expression to evaluate:
\(5\lvert x^{3} – 2\rvert + 7\)
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Substitute \(x = -2\) into the expression. When substituting, place the value in parentheses because the exponent applies to the whole number \(-2\):
\(5\lvert(-2)^{3} – 2\rvert + 7\)
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Compute the cube \((-2)^{3}\). Raising \(-2\) to the third power gives:
\((-2)^{3} = -8\)
So the expression becomes:
\(5\lvert -8 – 2\rvert + 7\)
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Evaluate the arithmetic inside the absolute value:
\(-8 – 2 = -10\)
Now we have:
\(5\lvert -10\rvert + 7\)
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Apply the absolute value. The absolute value of a negative number is its positive counterpart:
\(\lvert -10\rvert = 10\)
So the expression becomes:
\(5 \times 10 + 7\)
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Multiply and then add:
\(5 \times 10 = 50\)
\(50 + 7 = 57\)
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Final answer:
\(57\)
See full solution
FAQs
What is \(5|x^3 - 2| + 7\) when \(x = -2\)?
Compute \( (-2)^3 = -8\); inside: \(-8-2=-10\); \(|-10|=10\); \(5\cdot10=50\); \(50+7=57\). The value is 57.
Why is \((-2)^3 = -8\) and not 8?
Odd powers preserve sign, so \((-2)^3 = -2\cdot-2\cdot-2 = -8\). Parentheses matter: \(-2^3\) without parentheses equals \(-(2^3) = -8\) by standard order, but write \((-2)^3\) to be clear.
How do I evaluate expressions with absolute value like \(|x^3-2|\)?
First compute \(x^3-2\). Then take absolute value: \(|a|=a\) if \(a \ge 0\), and \(|a|=-a\) if \(a < 0\). Finally apply remaining operations (multiply, add).
Could I simplify \(5|x^3-2|+7\) algebraically before substituting?
Not meaningfully: absolute value blocks algebraic cancellation. You can state piecewise: \(5(x^3-2)+7\) for \(x^3 \ge 2\) and \(5(2-x^3)+7\) for \(x^3 < 2\), then substitute.
Is the domain of \(5|x^3-2|+7\) all real numbers?
Yes. \(x^3-2\) and absolute value are defined for every real \(x\), so the expression is defined for all real numbers.
What's the difference between \(|x^3|-2\) and \(|x^3-2|\)?
What's the difference between \(|x^3|-2\) and \(|x^3-2|\)?
How can I avoid sign mistakes with negative bases and exponents?
Always use parentheses for negative bases, e.g., \((-2)^3\). Remember exponentiation happens before unary minus only if parentheses are absent: \(-2^3 = -(2^3)\). When in doubt, compute stepwise: evaluate power first with sign clarified.
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