“Teach A Level Maths”

Vol. 1: AS Core Modules

19: Laws of Indices

© Christine Crisp
 Laws of Indices

Module C1 Module C2
Edexcel AQA
MEI/OCR
OCR

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 Laws of Indices

Multiplying with Indices

e.g.1 23  24  2 2 2  2 2 2 2
 27
 2 3 4
e.g.2 (1) 2  (1) 3  (1)  (1)  (1)  (1)  (1)
 (1) 5
 ( 1) 2 3
Generalizing this, we get:
mn
a m
a  a
n
 Laws of Indices

Multiplying with Indices

mn
a m
a  a n

If m and n are not integers, a must be positive

1 3
e.g.3 22  22
1  3
 22 2
2 2

mn
a m
a  a n
      (1)
(a  0)
 Laws of Indices

Dividing with Indices

1 1
e.g. 3 3 3 3 3 Cancel
35  32 
3 3
1 1
 33
52
3
Generalizing this, we get:

m n
a m
a  a
n
      ( 2)
(a  0)
 Laws of Indices

Powers of Powers

e.g. 4 2
(3 )
 34  34
 38 by rule (1)

 3 4 2

a  (a 0a)
m n mn
      ( 3)
 Laws of Indices
Exercises

Without using a calculator, use the laws of indices to

express each of the following as an integer

1. 2  2  2  1024
3 7 10

47
2.  4 2  16
5
4

3. 2 
3 2  2 6  64
 Laws of Indices
A Special Case
e.g. Simplify 24  24
Using rule (3) 24  24  24  4
 20
Also, 2  2  2 2
24  24 
2  2  2 2
1
 Laws of Indices
A Special Case
e.g. Simplify 24  24
Using rule (2) 24  24  24  4
 20
Also, 2  2  2 2
2 2
4 4

2  2  2 2
1
So, 20  1
Generalizing this, we get:

a 0  1       ( 4)
 Laws of Indices

Another Special Case

e.g. Simplify 5 53 7

Using rule (3) 53  57  5 3  7

 54
1 1 1
Also, 5 3  5 7  555
5555555
1 1 1
1

54
 Laws of Indices

Another Special Case

e.g. Simplify 5 53 7

Using rule (3) 53  57  5 3  7

 54
1 1 1
555
Also, 5  5 
3 7
5555555
1 1 1
1

54
So, 5 4

1
54
 Laws of Indices

Another Special Case

Generalizing this, we get:

n 1
a        ( 5)
an

3 1 1
e.g. 1 4  3

4 64

1
e.g. 2  2 3
 8
3
2
 Laws of Indices

Rational Numbers

A rational number is one that can be written as

p
q
where p and q are integers and q  0

4  3
e.g. and 3   are rational numbers
7  1 

2 and  are not rational numbers

 Laws of Indices

Rational Numbers

The definition of a rational index is that

p
p
a q

q
a       ( 6)
1 p is the power
e.g.1 42  42 q is the root
2
2
e.g.2 27 3  3
27  3 92

1 1 1 1
e.g.3 16 2  1
 
16 4
16 2
 Laws of Indices

SUMMARY
The following are the laws of indices:
mn mn
a m
a  a
n
a m
a  a
n

a 
m n
 a mn
a 1
0

n 1
a 
n
p
a
q p
aq  a
 Laws of Indices
Exercises

Without using a calculator, use the laws of indices to

express each of the following as an integer

1. 5 10

1
2. 25 2  25  5

3.
39
7
 32  9
3
 Laws of Indices
Exercises

Without using a calculator, use the laws of indices to

express each of the following as an integer or fraction
4 4
3
4. 83  8  2  16 4

2 1
1
5. 3  
2 9
3
3 1 1 1 1
6. 9 2  3
  
2
9 3 3 3 27
92
Laws of Indices
 Laws of Indices

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For most purposes the slides can be printed
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 Laws of Indices
SUMMARY

The following are the laws of indices:

mn
a m
a  a
n
am an  amn
a 
m n
a mn

a0  1
n 1
a 
n
p
a
q p
a q
 a
 Laws of Indices
Examples

1. 50  1
1
2. 25 2  25  5
9
3.
3
3 9
2
37
 Laws of Indices

4 4
3
4. 83  8  2  164

2 1
1
5. 3  
2 9
3
3 1 1 1 1
6. 9 2  3
  
2 3 3 27
9 3
92