2.

INDICES

From arithmetic, we know, for example, that: Note that for the above laws to be applicable, the
8 = 2 ´ 2 ´ 2 = 23 bases of both of the numbers to be multiplied or
16 = 2 ´ 2 ´ 2 ´ 2 = 24 divided must be the same.
32 = 2 ´ 2 ´ 2 ´ 2 ´ 2 = 25 , and so on.
When we write 25, we refer to 2 as the base and 5 as 3. Law 3 – Power of a power
the index (or the power or the exponent).
Hence, if m is a positive integer, then
Consider,
a ´ a ´ a ´ ... ´ a , written a total of m times, is
(a ) = a
3
expressed as a m , where a is the base and m is the
4 4
× a 4 × a 4 = a12
index.
(b ) = b
2
5 5
× b5 = b10
Laws of Indices We can deduce that
1. Law 1- Multiplication (𝑎2 )" = 𝑎2×" = 𝑎)$
(𝑏 ' )$ = 𝑏 '×$ = 𝑏)-
Consider, It follows that
a 3 × a 2 = (a × a × a) × (a × a) = a5 (x 6 )4 = x 6×4 = x 24
b × b5 = b × (b × b × b × b × b) = b6 ( y 3 )5 = y 3×5 = y15
We can deduce that In general, the expression a m , raised to a
𝑎" × 𝑎$ = 𝑎"&$ = 𝑎' power n, is equal to a mn .
𝑏 × 𝑏 $ = 𝑏)&' = 𝑏 *
It follows that, (a )
m n
= am ´ n

x4 ´ x3 = x4 + 3 = x7
𝑦 , × 𝑦 " = 𝑦 )-
In general, for any real numbers, 𝑚 and 𝑛, and a 4. Law 4 - Zero Index
common base, 𝑎
Consider
am ´ an = am + n 𝑎×𝑎×𝑎×𝑎×𝑎×𝑎
𝑎* ÷ 𝑎* = =1
𝑎×𝑎×𝑎×𝑎×𝑎×𝑎
But by Law 2,
2. Law 2 - Division 𝑎* ÷ 𝑎* = 𝑎*1* = 𝑎-
Therefore
Consider, 𝑎- = 1
a×a×a×a×a×a This law applies to bases that are whole
a6 ÷ a 2 = = a4
a×a numbers, fractions, positive, negative, or even
b× b× b× b irrational numbers.
b4 ÷ b = = b3
b It follows that
We can deduce that 5- = 1
𝑎* ÷ 𝑎$ = 𝑎*1$ = 𝑎2 (−4)- = 1
𝑏 2 ÷ 𝑏 = 𝑏 21) = 𝑏 " " -
9 : =1
2
It follows that -
;√2> = 1
x7 ÷ x3 = x7 − 3 = x4
y 8 ÷ y 6 = y 8−6 = y 2 In general, any base raised to the power of zero
In general, for any real numbers, 𝑚 and 𝑛, and is equal to one.
a common base, 𝑎 𝑎- = 1
am ÷ an = am - n
5. Law 5 – Negative Indices 7. Fractional indices (numerator ≠ 1)

Consider When the numerator in the fraction is not one,

𝑎×𝑎 1 m
𝑎$ ÷ 𝑎" = = the base is raised to the power . This is
𝑎×𝑎×𝑎 𝑎 n
But by Law 2, interpreted as the nth root of the base raised to
𝑎$ ÷ 𝑎" = 𝑎$1" = 𝑎 1) the power of m, and the simplification can be
Therefore, done in any order.
1 m
= 𝑎1)
( a)
m
𝑎 a n = n a m or n

Consider
𝑏 1 Applying the above rule:
𝑏 ÷ 𝑏2 = = "
( 8) = 4
2 2
(8) 3 = 3 (8)
2
𝑏×𝑏×𝑏×𝑏 𝑏 or 3

But by Law 2,
or ( 81 ) = 27
3 3
𝑏 ÷ 𝑏 2 = 𝑏)12 = 𝑏 1" (81) 4 = 4 (81)
3 4

Therefore,
( ) =4
2

( −32) ( −32)
2
1 5 = 5
2
or 5
−32
= 𝑏 1"
𝑏"
This law is useful when we wish to convert from
fractional form to index form. For example,
1 1 4 Example 1
3−1 = = x -4 = 4b -2
3 x4 b2 2

In general, Simplify ( 8) 3 ´ 4.
1
= a -m (2 ) 2 2

am
Solution
2
6. Law 6 - Fractional indices (numerator = 1) (8) 3 ´ 4 3
82 ´ 4 3 64 ´ 2 4 ´ 2 1
= = = =
Consider
(2 ) 2 2 24 16 16 2

𝑎$ × 𝑎$ = 𝑎2 ⟹ A𝑎2 = 𝑎$ Example 2
B B
But by law 3, (𝑎2 )C = 𝑎2×C = 𝑎$ 2 1

Simplify x ´ x .
𝟏 3 2
𝟒 𝟐
Therefore, √𝒂𝟒 = (𝒂 )
Similarly, x3
𝑎 × 𝑎 = 𝑎$ ⟹ √𝑎$ = 𝑎
B B
But by law 3, (𝑎$ )C = 𝑎$×C = 𝑎 Solution
𝟏
Therefore, √𝒂𝟐 = (𝒂𝟐 )𝟐 2 1 2 1
2 1 3 1
We can deduce that the square root is equivalent to a x ´x 3 2
x ´x 3 2 + - - 1 1
= 3
=x 3 2 2
=x 3
= 1
=
power of one-half. x 3 3
x
𝟏 x 2
x 3
So, √𝒂 = 𝒂 𝟐

We can repeat this process for cube root and fourth

Example 3
root and derive the following:
(y ) ×
3
2
H
B
I
B 3
y3
√𝑎 = 𝑎 H √𝑎 = 𝑎 I Simplify .
th
The n root of a number can be expressed as the 2 y 0 × y −4
)
number raised to the power of J.
)
K
√𝑎 = 𝑎J
Solution Example 6

(y ) ´
1
2 3 3
y3 y2 ´ 3 ´ y
3´
3
y 6 ´ y1 y 6 + 1 + 4
Solve 9 x+1 − 28(3) x + 3 = 0 .
= = =
2 y 0 ´ y -4 2 (1) ´ y -4 2 y -4 2
Solution
1
= y11 9 x+1 − 28(3x ) + 3 = 0
2
(32 ) x+1 − 28(3x ) + 3 = 0
Solving equations when the unknown is an 32 x+2 − 28(3x ) + 3 = 0
index
32 x 32 − 28(3x ) + 3 = 0
We can apply the laws of indices to solve equations
when the unknown is an index. In such cases, we 9(3x )2 − 28(3x ) + 3 = 0
need to have a common base on both sides of the 9(3M )$ − 23(3M ) + 3 = 0
equation and then we can equate indices. The Substitute 𝑦 = 3M
following examples illustrates these procedures. 9𝑦 $ − 23𝑦 + 3 = 0
(9𝑦 − 1)(𝑦 − 3) = 0
Example 4 )
𝑦 = R, or 𝑦 =
Solve the equation, 4 × 3 = 6 . x 2x
1 1
When y = , 3x =
9 9
Solution
3x = 3−2 ⇒ x = −2
4 x × 32 x = 6
When y = 3, 3x = 3
2 ×3 =6
2x 2x
⇒ x =1
62 x = 6
∴ x = −2 or x = 1
2x = 1 [equating indices]
1
x=
2

Example 5
Solve for x: 32 x - 9 3-2 x = 8 . ( )
Solution
32 x - 9 ( 3-2 x ) = 8
9
32 x - -8 = 0
32 x
(3 ) - 8(3 ) - 9 = 0
2x 2 2x
[ ´ 32 x ]

( 3 - 9 )( 3 + 1) = 0
2x 2x

Either (3$M − 9) = 0 or (3$M + 1) = 0

When (3$M − 9) = 0
32𝑥 = 32
2𝑥 = 2 (Equating indices)
𝑥=1
When (3$M + 1) = 0
32 x = -1 , x has no real solutions
\ x = 1 only