High School

Which number in the monomial [tex]$215 x^{18} y^3 z^{21}$[/tex] needs to be changed to make it a perfect cube?

A. 3
B. 18
C. 21
D. 215

Answer :

To solve the problem of whether the monomial [tex]\(215x^{18}y^3z^{21}\)[/tex] is a perfect cube, we need to check both the exponents of the variables and the coefficient.

### Step 1: Check the Exponents

For a monomial to be a perfect cube, the exponents of all variables must be multiples of 3.

- Exponent of [tex]\(x\)[/tex]: The exponent is 18. Since [tex]\(18 \div 3 = 6\)[/tex], it is a multiple of 3.
- Exponent of [tex]\(y\)[/tex]: The exponent is 3. Since [tex]\(3 \div 3 = 1\)[/tex], it is a multiple of 3.
- Exponent of [tex]\(z\)[/tex]: The exponent is 21. Since [tex]\(21 \div 3 = 7\)[/tex], it is a multiple of 3.

All the exponents are already suitable for a perfect cube.

### Step 2: Check the Coefficient

For the coefficient to be part of a perfect cube, it must itself be a perfect cube.

- Coefficient 215: We need to determine if 215 is a perfect cube.

Since 215 is not a perfect cube, we should look for the smallest perfect cube that could replace it. The smallest perfect cube greater than 215 is 216, which is [tex]\(6^3\)[/tex].

### Conclusion

Therefore, to make the entire monomial a perfect cube, the number that needs to be changed is the coefficient 215, which should be changed to 216.