Math Problem Statement

In a math contest, students are asked to solve a challenging problem involving fractions. One of the problems requires them to simplify the expression (-5/9)^6. The contestants need to calculate the value of (-5/9)^6 to proceed to the next round. Find the simplified value of (-5/9)^6 to help the students advance in the competition. Show all work and write your final answer in a complete sentence with appropriate units.

Solution

To solve the expression (59)6\left(-\frac{5}{9}\right)^6, we will follow these steps:

Step 1: Simplify the expression by applying the exponent

The given expression is (59)6\left(-\frac{5}{9}\right)^6. When raising a fraction to an exponent, both the numerator and the denominator are raised to that exponent:

(59)6=(5)696\left(-\frac{5}{9}\right)^6 = \frac{(-5)^6}{9^6}

Step 2: Calculate the powers

  1. Calculate (5)6(-5)^6:

    • Since the exponent is even, (5)6(-5)^6 will be positive.
    • (5)6=(5)×(5)×(5)×(5)×(5)×(5)=15625(-5)^6 = (-5) \times (-5) \times (-5) \times (-5) \times (-5) \times (-5) = 15625.
  2. Calculate 969^6:

    • 96=9×9×9×9×9×9=5314419^6 = 9 \times 9 \times 9 \times 9 \times 9 \times 9 = 531441.

Step 3: Write the result as a fraction

Now, substitute the calculated values into the fraction:

(59)6=15625531441\left(-\frac{5}{9}\right)^6 = \frac{15625}{531441}

Final Answer

The simplified value of (59)6\left(-\frac{5}{9}\right)^6 is 15625531441\frac{15625}{531441}.

So, the final answer is: "The simplified value of (59)6\left(-\frac{5}{9}\right)^6 is 15625531441\frac{15625}{531441}."

Would you like any further details or have any questions?


Here are 5 related questions:

  1. How would the result change if the exponent were odd instead of even?
  2. What is the decimal equivalent of the fraction 15625531441\frac{15625}{531441}?
  3. How can you simplify the expression (59)6\left(\frac{5}{9}\right)^6 without calculating the exact value?
  4. What would the answer be if the fraction were (59)6\left(\frac{5}{9}\right)^{-6}?
  5. How does the sign of the base affect the outcome when the exponent is even?

Tip: When raising a negative number to an even power, the result is always positive.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Exponents
Fraction Simplification
Properties of Exponents

Formulas

(a/b)^n = a^n / b^n
(-a)^n = a^n if n is even

Theorems

Exponentiation Rules
Properties of Negative Numbers Raised to Even Powers

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 8-10