To solve the equation \(2 + x^3 = 18\) using inverse operations, follow these steps:
Step 1: Isolate the term with the variable (x^3)
Subtract 2 from both sides of the equation:
\[ 2 + x^3 - 2 = 18 - 2 \]
This simplifies to:
\[ x^3 = 16 \]
Step 2: Take the cube root of both sides
To solve for \(x\), take the cube root of both sides:
\[ x = \sqrt[3]{16} \]
Step 3: Simplify the cube root
To simplify \(\sqrt[3]{16}\):
We know that \(16 = 2^4\). Thus,
\[ x = \sqrt[3]{2^4} = 2^{4/3} = 2^{1 \frac{1}{3}} = 2 \cdot 2^{1/3} \] So if necessary, we can express \(x\) in decimal form, but we leave it as \(2^{4/3}\) for exactness.
Step 4: Check the solution
To verify, substitute \(x = \sqrt[3]{16}\) back into the original equation:
\[ 2 + (\sqrt[3]{16})^3 = 2 + 16 = 18 \]
Since both sides of the equation are equal, the solution is verified.
Final Answer
The solution to the equation \(2 + x^3 = 18\) is:
\[ x = \sqrt[3]{16} \]
In approximate decimal form, \(x \approx 2.52\) (but the exact answer is preferred). Thus, the final answer can be written as:
\[ x = 2^{4/3} \quad \text{or} \quad x = \sqrt[3]{16} \]