Indices – problem solving

A LEVEL LINKS
Scheme of work: 1a. Algebraic expressions – basic algebraic manipulation, indices and surds

Key points
• am × an = am + n
am
• n
= a m-n
a
• (am)n = amn
• a0 = 1
1
• a n = n a i.e. the nth root of a
m

( a)
m
• a n = n am = n

1
• a-m =
am
• The square root of a number produces two solutions, e.g. 16 = ±4 .

1
Example 1 Write as a single power of x
3x

1 1 -1 1
= x Use the rule m
= a - m , note that the
3x 3 a
1
fraction remains unchanged
3

4
Example 2 Write as a single power of x
x

4 4 1
= 1 1 Use the rule a n = n a
x x2
-
1 1
= 4x 2 2 Use the rule m
= a-m
a

A2400 ch1h | Version 1.1 | September 2020

Practice questions

1 Write the following in the form axn.

2 1
a 5 x b c
x3 3x 4
2 4
d e 3
f 3
x x

2 p = 4a and q = 4b
Write in terms of p and q
a 4a + b b 4b − a
2a
c 4 d 4b − 2

3 a 23 × 2n = 29

Work out the value of n.

..........................................

b 2x3 = 128

Work out the value of x.

..........................................

Answers
1
1 -4
1 a 5x 2 b 2x–3 c x
3
1 1
- -
d 2x 2
e 4x 3
f 3x0

a q
2 a pq b c p2 d
p 16

3 a 6 b 4

A2400 ch1h | Version 1.1 | September 2020