1. What Is The Result Of -18 + (-2)? 2. What Is The Value Of √4 + 4? 3. In The Number 1.653, What Is The Place Value Of The Digit 6? 4. What Is The Result Of (0.9)²? 5. What Is The Value Of 5¹ X 5⁰? 6. Discussion Category: Mathematics
Understanding Integer Arithmetic. When dealing with integer arithmetic, particularly the addition and subtraction of negative numbers, it is essential to grasp the fundamental principles to arrive at the correct solution. This section delves into the calculation of -18 + (-2)
, providing a comprehensive explanation to ensure clarity and understanding. Let’s break down the process step by step.
Firstly, it’s crucial to recognize that adding a negative number is equivalent to subtracting a positive number. Therefore, the expression -18 + (-2)
can be rewritten as -18 - 2
. This transformation simplifies the calculation and aligns with the basic rules of arithmetic operations. Visualizing a number line can be incredibly helpful in understanding this concept. Imagine starting at -18 on the number line. When you subtract 2, you move further to the left, which represents the negative direction. Thus, subtracting 2 from -18 means moving two units to the left on the number line.
Now, let’s perform the subtraction. Starting from -18, moving two units to the left brings us to -20. Mathematically, this can be expressed as -18 - 2 = -20
. The negative sign indicates that the result is a negative number, which is expected when subtracting a positive number from a negative number or adding two negative numbers together. To further solidify this concept, consider a real-world example. Imagine you owe someone $18 (represented as -18). If you incur an additional debt of $2 (represented as -2), your total debt becomes $20, which is represented as -20. This analogy helps to contextualize the arithmetic operation and makes it more relatable.
In this context, it's also beneficial to discuss common mistakes that students often make when dealing with negative numbers. One frequent error is misunderstanding the direction of movement on the number line when subtracting negative numbers. For instance, some might incorrectly add 2 to -18, moving towards the positive direction, which would lead to a wrong answer. Another mistake is neglecting the negative sign altogether or mishandling it during the calculation. To avoid these pitfalls, it’s crucial to practice and reinforce the rules of integer arithmetic consistently.
To summarize, -18 + (-2)
simplifies to -18 - 2
, which equals -20
. This result is obtained by moving two units to the left on the number line from -18. The correct answer, therefore, is A. -20. Understanding these principles not only helps in solving this particular problem but also builds a solid foundation for more complex arithmetic calculations in the future.
Correct Answer: A. -20
Evaluating Square Roots and Addition. This question tests the ability to evaluate square roots and perform basic addition. The expression √4 + 4
involves two distinct mathematical operations: finding the square root of 4 and then adding the result to 4. Understanding the order of operations and the concept of square roots is crucial to solving this problem correctly. Let’s dissect the problem step by step.
Firstly, we need to address the square root component, √4
. The square root of a number is a value that, when multiplied by itself, equals the original number. In this case, we are looking for a number that, when multiplied by itself, gives us 4. The square root of 4 is 2 because 2 * 2 = 4
. This is a fundamental mathematical fact that is essential to know. Square roots are a cornerstone of algebra and calculus, and mastering them early on provides a solid foundation for more advanced mathematical concepts.
Now that we have evaluated √4
as 2, we can substitute this value back into the original expression. The expression √4 + 4
becomes 2 + 4
. This simplifies the problem to a basic addition operation. Adding 2 and 4 is straightforward: 2 + 4 = 6
. Thus, the result of the expression is 6. To further illustrate this, consider a real-world application. Suppose you have a square garden with an area of 4 square meters. The side length of the garden would be the square root of 4, which is 2 meters. If you then add 4 meters to this length, the total length becomes 6 meters. This example helps to contextualize the mathematical operation in a practical scenario.
It’s important to note that square roots can sometimes be confusing, especially when dealing with larger numbers or non-perfect squares. In this case, 4 is a perfect square, meaning its square root is an integer. However, numbers like 2 or 3 do not have integer square roots, and their square roots are irrational numbers, which have non-repeating, non-terminating decimal representations. Understanding the difference between perfect squares and non-perfect squares is crucial for tackling more complex problems involving square roots.
Additionally, it is important to follow the order of operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS), which dictates that we perform operations in the following order: Parentheses/Brackets, Exponents/Orders (including square roots), Multiplication and Division, and Addition and Subtraction. In this case, we evaluated the square root before performing the addition, which is the correct procedure. In summary, √4 + 4
simplifies to 2 + 4
, which equals 6. The correct answer, therefore, is D. 6. Mastering these fundamental operations is crucial for success in mathematics.
Correct Answer: D. 6
Understanding Place Value in Decimal Numbers. Determining the place value of a digit in a decimal number is a fundamental concept in mathematics. This question focuses on identifying the place value of the digit 6 in the number 1.653. Understanding place value is essential for performing arithmetic operations, comparing numbers, and comprehending the magnitude of digits within a number. Let’s break down the concept of place value in decimal numbers and pinpoint the place value of 6 in the given number.
In a decimal number system, each digit's position represents a different power of 10. To the left of the decimal point, we have the ones place, tens place, hundreds place, and so on, each representing 10⁰, 10¹, 10², etc., respectively. To the right of the decimal point, we have the tenths place, hundredths place, thousandths place, and so on, representing 10⁻¹, 10⁻², 10⁻³, etc., respectively. In the number 1.653, the digit 1 is in the ones place, the digit 6 is in the tenths place, the digit 5 is in the hundredths place, and the digit 3 is in the thousandths place. This understanding is critical for correctly interpreting the value of each digit.
The number 1.653 can be expanded as follows:
- 1 is in the ones place:
1 * 10⁰ = 1 * 1 = 1
- 6 is in the tenths place:
6 * 10⁻¹ = 6 * 0.1 = 0.6
- 5 is in the hundredths place:
5 * 10⁻² = 5 * 0.01 = 0.05
- 3 is in the thousandths place:
3 * 10⁻³ = 3 * 0.001 = 0.003
When we look at the digit 6 in 1.653, we see that it is immediately to the right of the decimal point. This position represents the tenths place. The tenths place signifies that the digit represents a fraction of one-tenth, or 0.1. Therefore, the 6 in 1.653 represents 6 tenths, or 0.6. To illustrate the importance of place value, consider a comparison between 1.653 and 16.53. While the digits are the same, their positions drastically change the value of the number. In 16.53, the 6 is in the ones place, representing 6 units, which is significantly different from 0.6.
Understanding place value is also crucial for performing arithmetic operations. For example, when adding or subtracting decimal numbers, it’s essential to align the decimal points to ensure that digits with the same place value are added or subtracted correctly. Misunderstanding place value can lead to significant errors in calculations. In summary, the place value of 6 in 1.653 is tenths. This means that the 6 represents six-tenths, or 0.6, of the whole number. The correct answer, therefore, is B. Tenth.
Correct Answer: B. Tenth
Understanding Exponents and Decimal Multiplication. This question assesses the understanding of exponents, specifically squaring a decimal number. The expression (0.9)²
means 0.9 raised to the power of 2, which is equivalent to multiplying 0.9 by itself. Accurately calculating this requires a solid grasp of decimal multiplication. Let’s break down the calculation step by step to ensure clarity.
The expression (0.9)²
can be written as 0.9 * 0.9
. To multiply decimal numbers, we can initially ignore the decimal points and multiply the numbers as if they were whole numbers. In this case, we multiply 9 by 9, which equals 81. However, since we are dealing with decimal numbers, we need to account for the decimal points in the original numbers. 0. 9 has one digit after the decimal point, and since we are multiplying 0.9 by 0.9, we have a total of two digits after the decimal points in the factors. Therefore, the product must also have two digits after the decimal point.
To place the decimal point correctly in the product, we count two places from the right in the result 81. This gives us 0.81. So, 0.9 * 0.9 = 0.81
. Visualizing this multiplication can be helpful. Think of 0.9 as slightly less than 1. When you multiply a number close to 1 by itself, the result will also be close to the original number, but slightly smaller. In this case, multiplying 0.9 by 0.9 results in a number smaller than 0.9, which is 0.81.
Another way to understand this is to convert the decimal to a fraction. 0.9 is equivalent to 9/10. Squaring this fraction, we get (9/10)² = (9/10) * (9/10) = 81/100
. Converting 81/100 back to a decimal gives us 0.81, confirming our earlier calculation. It is crucial to differentiate between squaring a number and multiplying it by 2. A common mistake is to multiply 0.9 by 2, which would give 1.8, an incorrect answer. Squaring means multiplying the number by itself, not by 2.
Consider a real-world application to further solidify the concept. Imagine you have a square with sides of length 0.9 meters. The area of this square would be the side length squared, which is (0.9)² = 0.81
square meters. This helps to connect the mathematical operation to a tangible example. In summary, (0.9)²
equals 0.9 * 0.9
, which is 0.81. The correct answer, therefore, is B. 0.9 x 0.9.
Correct Answer: B. 0.9 x 0.9
Understanding Exponents and the Zero Power Rule. This question tests the understanding of exponents, particularly the rules governing exponents when multiplying powers with the same base and the zero power rule. The expression 5¹ x 5⁰
involves two different exponents applied to the same base, which is 5. To solve this, we need to apply the relevant exponent rules. Let’s break down the calculation step by step.
Firstly, it’s important to recall the rule for multiplying exponential expressions with the same base. This rule states that when you multiply two exponents with the same base, you add the exponents. Mathematically, this is expressed as a^m * a^n = a^(m+n)
. In our case, the base is 5, and the exponents are 1 and 0. Applying the rule, we get 5¹ * 5⁰ = 5^(1+0) = 5¹
.
Now, let’s evaluate 5¹
. Any number raised to the power of 1 is simply the number itself. Therefore, 5¹ = 5
. So, the expression simplifies to 5. Next, we need to consider the zero power rule. This rule states that any non-zero number raised to the power of 0 is equal to 1. Mathematically, this is expressed as a⁰ = 1
, where a
is any non-zero number. In our expression, we have 5⁰
, which, according to the zero power rule, is equal to 1. Therefore, 5⁰ = 1
.
Substituting these values back into the original expression, we have 5¹ * 5⁰ = 5 * 1
. Multiplying 5 by 1 gives us 5. Thus, the result of the expression is 5. To further clarify this, let’s consider why the zero power rule works. The rule a^m * a^n = a^(m+n)
holds true for all integer exponents. If we let m = 0
, we get a⁰ * a^n = a^(0+n) = a^n
. Dividing both sides of the equation a⁰ * a^n = a^n
by a^n
(assuming a^n
is not zero), we get a⁰ = 1
. This provides a mathematical justification for the zero power rule.
Understanding these rules is crucial for simplifying and solving more complex algebraic expressions. A common mistake is to assume that any number raised to the power of 0 is 0, which is incorrect. The correct rule is that any non-zero number raised to the power of 0 is 1. In summary, 5¹ * 5⁰
simplifies to 5 * 1
, which equals 5. The correct answer, therefore, is A. 5¹.
Correct Answer: A. 5¹
Identifying the Discussion Category: Mathematics. The discussion category for the preceding questions and their solutions clearly falls under the realm of mathematics. Mathematics is a broad field that encompasses a wide range of topics, including arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, and more. The questions presented here primarily focus on fundamental arithmetic concepts, including integer operations, square roots, place value, decimal multiplication, and exponent rules. Understanding that these topics belong to mathematics helps to contextualize the subject matter and provides a framework for further learning.
Arithmetic is the branch of mathematics that deals with numbers and the basic operations performed on them, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The questions involving -18 + (-2)
, √4 + 4
, (0.9)²
, and 5¹ x 5⁰
all fall under arithmetic. These questions test foundational skills that are essential for more advanced mathematical studies. For instance, understanding integer operations is crucial for algebra, and the concepts of square roots and exponents are fundamental in calculus and other higher-level mathematics.
The question about the place value of 6 in 1.653 also falls under arithmetic, as it deals with understanding the structure of decimal numbers and the significance of digit positions. Place value is a foundational concept that underpins many arithmetic operations and is critical for understanding larger numerical concepts. Additionally, identifying the discussion category as mathematics helps to organize and categorize learning materials. When students understand that specific problems or concepts belong to a particular branch of mathematics, they can better connect new information with existing knowledge.
This categorization also aids in developing a structured approach to problem-solving. For example, knowing that a problem is arithmetic-based directs the student to apply arithmetic principles and techniques to find a solution. In contrast, if a problem were categorized as algebraic, the student would employ algebraic methods, such as solving equations or manipulating variables. Furthermore, recognizing the discussion category allows educators and learners to select appropriate resources and materials for study. Textbooks, online resources, and practice exercises are often organized by mathematical topic, making it easier to find relevant content when the category is clearly defined.
In summary, the questions and solutions presented in this discussion belong to the category of mathematics, specifically the branch of arithmetic. This categorization is essential for understanding the subject matter, organizing learning, and applying appropriate problem-solving techniques. Recognizing the mathematical nature of these questions sets the stage for further exploration and mastery of fundamental mathematical concepts.