All Exams Test series for 1 year @ ₹349 only
Question

\({\rm{If}}\;{a^2} + \frac{1}{{{a^2}}} = 3,\;{\rm{then}}\;{a^3} + \frac{1}{{{a^3}}} = ?\)

This question was previously asked in
RRB ALP 2018 CBT 2 Fitter Question Paper (21-Jan-2019) (Shift 3)
The correct answer is

2√5

Understanding the Algebraic Problem

The question asks us to find the value of the expression \(a^3 + \frac{1}{a^3}\) given the value of \(a^2 + \frac{1}{a^2}\).

This type of problem involves algebraic identities relating powers of a variable and its reciprocal. We can use standard formulas for squares and cubes of sums to solve this.

Step-by-Step Solution for Finding \(a^3 + \frac{1}{a^3}\)

We are given:

\({a^2} + \frac{1}{{{a^2}}} = 3\)

We need to find \(a^3 + \frac{1}{{{a^3}}}\).

Step 1: Finding the value of \(a + \frac{1}{a}\)

We know the identity:

\[{\left( {x + \frac{1}{x}} \right)^2} = {x^2} + \frac{1}{{{x^2}}} + 2\]

Using this identity with \(x=a\), we get:

\[{\left( {a + \frac{1}{a}} \right)^2} = {a^2} + \frac{1}{{{a^2}}} + 2\]

Substitute the given value \(a^2 + \frac{1}{a^2} = 3\):

\[{\left( {a + \frac{1}{a}} \right)^2} = 3 + 2\] \[{\left( {a + \frac{1}{a}} \right)^2} = 5\]

Taking the square root of both sides, we get:

\[a + \frac{1}{a} = \pm \sqrt 5\]

For this problem, the options are positive values, which implies we should consider the positive root for \(a + \frac{1}{a}\). Thus, we take \(a + \frac{1}{a} = \sqrt 5\).

Step 2: Finding the value of \(a^3 + \frac{1}{a^3}\)

We know another identity related to the cube of a sum:

\[{\left( {x + \frac{1}{x}} \right)^3} = {x^3} + \frac{1}{{{x^3}}} + 3\left( {x + \frac{1}{x}} \right)\]

Rearranging this identity to find \(x^3 + \frac{1}{x^3}\):

\[{x^3} + \frac{1}{{{x^3}}} = {\left( {x + \frac{1}{x}} \right)^3} - 3\left( {x + \frac{1}{x}} \right)\]

Using this identity with \(x=a\), we get:

\[{a^3} + \frac{1}{{{a^3}}} = {\left( {a + \frac{1}{a}} \right)^3} - 3\left( {a + \frac{1}{a}} \right)\]

Now, substitute the value \(a + \frac{1}{a} = \sqrt 5\) that we found in Step 1:

\[{a^3} + \frac{1}{{{a^3}}} = {\left( {\sqrt 5 } \right)^3} - 3\left( {\sqrt 5 } \right)\]

Calculate \({\left( {\sqrt 5 } \right)^3}\):

\[{\left( {\sqrt 5 } \right)^3} = \sqrt 5 \times \sqrt 5 \times \sqrt 5 = 5\sqrt 5\]

Substitute this back into the equation for \(a^3 + \frac{1}{a^3}\):

\[{a^3} + \frac{1}{{{a^3}}} = 5\sqrt 5 - 3\sqrt 5\]

Perform the subtraction:

\[{a^3} + \frac{1}{{{a^3}}} = \left( {5 - 3} \right)\sqrt 5\] \[{a^3} + \frac{1}{{{a^3}}} = 2\sqrt 5\]

The value of \(a^3 + \frac{1}{a^3}\) is \(2\sqrt 5\).

Analyzing the Options

Let's compare our result with the given options:

  • Option 1: \(2\sqrt 3\)
  • Option 2: \(2\sqrt 5\)
  • Option 3: \(3\sqrt 3\)
  • Option 4: \(3\sqrt 5\)

Our calculated value \(2\sqrt 5\) matches Option 2.

Given To Find Key Identity 1 Key Identity 2 Calculated Value
\(a^2 + \frac{1}{a^2} = 3\) \(a^3 + \frac{1}{a^3}\) \({\left( {x + \frac{1}{x}} \right)^2} = {x^2} + \frac{1}{{{x^2}}} + 2\) \({\left( {x + \frac{1}{x}} \right)^3} = {x^3} + \frac{1}{{{x^3}}} + 3\left( {x + \frac{1}{x}} \right)\) \(2\sqrt 5\)

Revision Table: Understanding Related Algebraic Identities

Identity Formula Usage
Square of a sum \({\left( {x+y} \right)^2} = {x^2} + 2xy + {y^2}\) General expansion
Square of a difference \({\left( {x-y} \right)^2} = {x^2} - 2xy + {y^2}\) General expansion
Square of sum (reciprocal) \({\left( {x + \frac{1}{x}} \right)^2} = {x^2} + \frac{1}{{{x^2}}} + 2\) Relates sum and square of sum for reciprocals
Square of difference (reciprocal) \({\left( {x - \frac{1}{x}} \right)^2} = {x^2} + \frac{1}{{{x^2}}} - 2\) Relates difference and square of difference for reciprocals
Cube of a sum \({\left( {x+y} \right)^3} = {x^3} + 3{x^2}y + 3x{y^2} + {y^3} = {x^3} + {y^3} + 3xy(x+y)\) General expansion
Cube of a difference \({\left( {x-y} \right)^3} = {x^3} - 3{x^2}y + 3x{y^2} - {y^3} = {x^3} - {y^3} - 3xy(x-y)\) General expansion
Cube of sum (reciprocal) \({\left( {x + \frac{1}{x}} \right)^3} = {x^3} + \frac{1}{{{x^3}}} + 3\left( {x + \frac{1}{x}} \right)\) Relates sum and cube of sum for reciprocals
Cube of difference (reciprocal) \({\left( {x - \frac{1}{x}} \right)^3} = {x^3} - \frac{1}{{{x^3}}} - 3\left( {x - \frac{1}{x}} \right)\) Relates difference and cube of difference for reciprocals

Additional Information on Solving Algebraic Expressions

Problems involving powers like \(a^n + \frac{1}{a^n}\) or \(a^n - \frac{1}{a^n}\) can often be solved by finding the value of \(a + \frac{1}{a}\) or \(a - \frac{1}{a}\) first.

  • If you need to find \(a^3 + \frac{1}{a^3}\), it's easiest if you know \(a + \frac{1}{a}\).
  • If you need to find \(a^3 - \frac{1}{a^3}\), it's easiest if you know \(a - \frac{1}{a}\).
  • You can switch between finding \(a + \frac{1}{a}\) and \(a - \frac{1}{a}\) if you know \(a^2 + \frac{1}{a^2}\), because \({\left( {a + \frac{1}{a}} \right)^2} = a^2 + \frac{1}{a^2} + 2\) and \({\left( {a - \frac{1}{a}} \right)^2} = a^2 + \frac{1}{a^2} - 2\).
  • Higher powers can be found by repeatedly applying these identities or by finding a pattern. For example, \(a^4 + \frac{1}{a^4}\) can be found from \(a^2 + \frac{1}{a^2}\) using the squaring identity: \({\left( {{a^2} + \frac{1}{{{a^2}}}} \right)^2} = {a^4} + \frac{1}{{{a^4}}} + 2\).

These techniques are fundamental in algebraic manipulation and useful in various mathematical problems.

Was this answer helpful?

Similar Questions

  1. If a - 1/a = 1, then a 2+ 1/a 2= ?

  2. If a 2+ b 2= 53 and ab = 14, then find the value of a + b.

  3. If a + b = 9 and a 2+ b 2= 53, then find the value of ab.

  4. (0.1 × 0.1 × 0.1 + 0.04 × 0.04 × 0.04) ÷ (0.2 × 0.2 × 0.2 + 0.08 × 0.08 × 0.08) = ______.

  5. If a + 1/a = 3, then a 3+ 1/a 3= ?

  6. If a + 1/a = 1, find the value of a3 + 1/a3.

  7. If a + b + c = 0, then (a 3+ b 3+ c 3) 2= ?

  8. If a – b = 5 and ab = 24, then a 2+ b 2=


Important Questions from Identities

  1. If \(2x + { {1} \over 3x}= 5, x ≠ 0\) , then what is the value of  \(27x^3+{{1} \over 8x^3}\) ?

  2. If x 2 + 4y 2 = 40, xy = 6 and x > 2y then the value of x - 2y is:

  3. \(\dfrac{(0.73)^3+(0.31)^3}{(0.73)^2-0.73\times0.31+(0.31)^2}\)
  4. \(\dfrac{(5.17-2.19)^2-(5.17+2.19)^2}{11.3223}\)
  5. If a(a + b + c) 2= 1792; b(a + b + c) 2= 1536; c(a + b + c) 2= 768 then what will be the value of a?

Need Expert Advice?
Upcoming Exams
RRB Technician
October 06, 2026
RRB JE
October 27, 2026
RRB ALP
November 03, 2026
Test Series
RRB ALP img
Railways
RRB ALP 2026 Mock Test series
1035 Tests 1 Tests Free
1087 Attempts
4.3(239)
English, Hindi

Start Your Preparation with Prepp Mobile App

Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Prepp Mobile App