To approximate \( 3^{\sqrt{3}} \) using the function \( f(x) = 3^x \), we will create a table with \( x \) values closer to \( \sqrt{3} \) and calculate the corresponding \( f(x) \) values. First, we need to find \( \sqrt{3} \), which is approximately \( 1.732 \).
Step 1: Choose \( x \) values around \( \sqrt{3} \)
We'll select \( x \) values that are getting closer to \( \sqrt{3} \):
- \( x = 1.7 \)
- \( x = 1.72 \)
- \( x = 1.73 \)
- \( x = 1.74 \)
- \( x = 1.75 \)
Step 2: Calculate \( f(x) = 3^x \) for chosen \( x \) values
Now we'll compute the values of \( f(x) \):
| \( x \) | \( f(x) = 3^x \) | |---------|------------------| | 1.7 | \( 3^{1.7} \approx 5.196 \) | | 1.72 | \( 3^{1.72} \approx 5.385 \) | | 1.73 | \( 3^{1.73} \approx 5.403 \) | | 1.74 | \( 3^{1.74} \approx 5.422 \) | | 1.75 | \( 3^{1.75} \approx 5.442 \) |
Step 3: Fill in the calculations for \( f(x) \)
Using a calculator or computational tool, we can find the values:
- \( 3^{1.7} \approx 5.196 \)
- \( 3^{1.72} \approx 5.385 \)
- \( 3^{1.73} \approx 5.403 \)
- \( 3^{1.74} \approx 5.422 \)
- \( 3^{1.75} \approx 5.442 \)
Step 4: Analyzing the results
Looking at the values of \( f(x) \):
- When \( x = 1.7 \), \( f(x) \approx 5.196 \)
- When \( x = 1.75 \), \( f(x) \approx 5.442 \)
Step 5: Estimate \( 3^{\sqrt{3}} \)
Since \( \sqrt{3} \approx 1.732 \), we can observe that \( f(1.73) \) and \( f(1.74) \) values indicate that \( 3^{\sqrt{3}} \) lies between approximately \( 5.403 \) and \( 5.422 \).
Conclusion: Final Approximation
To provide an estimate for \( 3^{\sqrt{3}} \) to three decimal places based on our data, we can say that:
\[ 3^{\sqrt{3}} \approx 5.415 \]
This is a rough estimate based on the values from the table. A more precise calculation would yield approximately \( 5.196152 \). Hence, rounding it yields:
\[ 3^{\sqrt{3}} \approx 5.196 \]
Thus, the final answer correct to three decimal places is \( 5.196 \).