Class SS 1

Subject Mathematics
Week 3
Topic Indices

INDICES
An index number or variable is a number or variable that is raised to a power. The power, also
known as index or exponent, tells how many times the base will multiply itself. For example, 25
means that the base 2 will multiply itself 5 – times.
Similarly; 3 x 3 x 3 x 3=3 4. (3 4 is pronounce 3 raised to power 4 )
Also; P x P x P=P 3

Laws of Indices
To manipulate expressions involving indices, we employ several rules known as laws of indices.
These rules are applied to indices of the same base only.

[1] Multiplication Law of Indices:

When multiplying indices of the same base, their powers are added.

Example 1:
Simplify the following: (a) 53 x 56 (b) y 4 x y 3 (c) 76 x 7 3 x 74
In general; a m x an =am +n

[2] Division Law of Indices:

When dividing indices of the same base, their powers are subtracted. Normally, the power of
the divisor should be subtracted from that of the dividend.

Example 1:
6 5 4 −3 7
3 y 2 x2 x2
Simplify the following: (a) 4 (b) 7 (c) 3 2
3 y 2 x2
m
a m−n
In general; n
=a
a

[3] Power Law of Indices:

If an index number or variable is again raised to another power, then it is said to be in powers.
The two powers are thus multiplied together for final result.

Example 1:
2 3 6
Simplify the following: (a) ( 3 4 ) (b) ( x 4 ) (c) ( 52 )
n
In general; ( a m ) =amn

[4] Product Power Law of Indices:

When the product of different factors is raised to a certain power, perhaps in a bracket, the
power is distributed over each factor in the bracket.

Example 1:

1
 2 3
Simplify the following: (a) ( 3 pq )4 (b) ( 5 x 3 y 6 ) (c) ( 2 b t −2 )
In general; ( abc )n=an bn c n
[5] Zero – Index Law of Indices:
When a number or variable is raised to power zero, the result is 1.

Example 1:
(a) 5120=1 (b) ( 3 pq )0=1 (c) 1250 =1

[6] Negative – Index Law of Indices:

When the power of an index number or variable is negative, it can be converted to positive by
taking the reciprocal of the index number or variable and vice – versa.

Example 1:
−2 1 −4 1 1 −3
(a) 3 = 2 (b)
y = 4 (c) 3 =5
3 y 5
−m 1
In general; a = m
a

[7] Fractional – Index Law of Indices:

When the power of an index number or variable is in fraction, the denominator of the fraction
is a form of root while the numerator remains as power.

Example 1:
Simplify the following: (a) 4 3 /2 (b) 8 4 /3 (c) 4 5 /2
In general; a m/ n=( √n a ) = √n am
m

Assignment 2.1
Simplify each of the following:
3
3 −2 3 −2
6p −2
1. (a) 5 a x ( 3 a ) (b) ( 2 a ) × 6 a 2
(c) −3 (d) 2 y 0 x ( 3 y 2 ) x 80
(8 p2)
2
1/ 2 2 −2 9t
2. (a) 2 a2 x 4 a3 (b) ( 5 y )3 ÷ ( 25 y 6 ) (c) ( 2 a3 ) x ( 4 a 6 ) (d) 5
81t

[( ]
−3 1

)
−3
1 /3 3/4 −2/ 3 16 4 3
3. (a) 8 (b) 81 (c) 27 (d) 2
x 16 (e) 165 / 4 x 2−3 x 30
9

() ( ) ( )
−3 /2 3 /2 −2 /3
2/ 3 0 −3 /2 1 16 64
4. (a) 64 (b) 16 (c) 4 (d) (e) (f)
4 25 27

Indicial Equations
Any equation that contains one or more index numbers with unknown power is an indicial or
exponential equation. To solve indicial equations, just express both sides of the equation to the
same single base and equate their powers.

2
Example 1:
Solve the following indicial equations:

()
x 3x −2
1 x−4 2 x2
(a) 83 x−2=16 x+1 (b) =27 (c) x
=16
3 2
Ans: (a) x=2 (b) x=3 (c) x=3

Quadratic form of Indicial Equations:

Some indicial equations can be transformed into quadratic equations and solve quadratically as
shown in the following examples.

Example 2:
Solve the following indicial equations:
(a) 22 x −6 ( 2x ) +8=0 (b) 52 x+1−26 ( 5 x ) +5=0 (c) 4 x −2x+ 2=32

Assignment 2.2
Solve each of the following indicial equations:
(1) 3 x 9 1+ x =27− x (2) 2 x 81− x =16 x x 4 x−3 (3) 82 x =4 x−1 (4) 27 x+2=92 x
(5) ( 0.25 )x+1=16 (6) 22 x +2 x+1−8=0 (7) 32 x +2 ( 3 x )−3=0
(8) 22 x +1+2 x −1=0 (9) 52 x −26 ( 5 x ) +25=0 (10) 32 x −4 ( 3 x+1 ) +27=0