CHAPTER 12

EXPONENTS AND POWER

Compendium
A. Introduction
B. Powers with Negative Exponents
C. Laws of Exponents
D. Application of Exponents
E. Standard Form
a. Addition and subtraction of two very large and very small
numbers
b. Comparison of two very large and very small numbers
F. Bird’s Eye View
G. Solved Examples
H. Practice Yourself
I. Answer Key

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EXPONENTS AND POWER
A. Introduction
In the previous classes, we have already learnt that if a is a real
number and it is multiplied by itself m number of times, then
a × a ×a × ..m times=am
This process of expressing the product of a number by itself is called
the exponential notation or power notation.
Look at the given representation, i.e. 45 =1024. In 45 , 4 is called the
base, 5 is called the power or index or exponent, and 1024 is called the
exponential value.

Try and learn

Example 1: Express each of the following in exponential notation and

identify the respective exponents and bases:
3 3 3 3 3
a. (-5)×(-5)×(-5) b. × × × ×
7 7 7 7 7
p p p p p
c. a ×a ×a ×a ×a d. ( ) × ( ) × ( ) × ( ) × ( )
q q q q q

solution:
a. We have (-5)×(-5)×(-5)=(-5)3
Here, base=-5 and exponent=3
3 3 3 3 3 3 5
b. We have × × × × = ( )
7 7 7 7 7 7
3
Here, base = and exponent=5
7

c. We have a×a×a×a×a=a5
Here, base = a and exponent = 5
p p p p p p 5
d. We have( ) × ( ) × ( ) × ( ) × ( ) = ( )
q q q q q q
p
Here, base = and exponent=5
q

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Example 2: Calculate the value of each of the following:
2 3 5 4
a. 25 b. ( ) c. ( ) d. (0.3)4
5 4

Solution:
2 3 2 2 2 8
a. 25 =2×2×2×2×2=32 b. ( ) = × × =
5 5 5 5 125

5 4 5 5 5 5 625
c. ( ) = × × × = d. (0.3)4 =0.3×0.3×0.3×0.3=0.0081
4 4 4 4 4 256

Example 3: Find the value of each of the following:

3 4 5 3
a. (-5)3 b. (-3)4 c. ( ) d. (- )
5 7

Solution:
a. (-5)3 =(-5)×(-5)×(-5)=-125 b. (-3)4 =(-3)×(-3)×(-3)×(-3)=81
3 4 3 3 3 3 81 -5 3 5 5 5 -125
c. ( ) = × × × = d. ( ) = (- ) × (- ) × (- ) =
5 5 5 5 5 625 7 7 7 7 343

Note
(−1)odd positive number = −1 and (−1)even positive number = 1

Checkpoint-1

1. Express each of the following in exponential notation.

a. 5 ×5 ×5 ×5 ×5
b. 7 ×7 ×7 ×7
2 2 2 2
c. (- ) × (- ) × (- ) × (- )
5 5 5 5

2. Write the exponent and the base of each of the following:

a. 34 b. (-1)5 c. (0.3)7
3. Calculate the value of each of the following:
12 3
a. 32 b. 92 c. ( )
11

4. Find the value of each of the following.

a. (-2)3 b. (-3)3 c. (-4)4

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 CHAPTER 12
EXPONENTS AND POWER
5. Express each of the following in exponential form:
27 -64 16
a. b. c.
125 729 49

6. Express each of the following numbers as a product of prime

factors.
a. 500 b. 675 c. 1372
7. Calculate the value and find which is greater.
a. (-2)3 or (-3)2 b. 25 or 52 c. 36 or 63
8. If 𝐩 = − 𝟐, 𝐪 = 𝟒, calculate the value of:
a. p3 + q3 b. (4p + q)2 c. (4p)2
9. If 𝐱 = 𝟑, 𝐲 = −𝟐, calculate the value of:
a. (x-y)3 b. (2x-3y)2
x y x
c. (x-y)x d. ( + )
y x

10. If 𝐱 = 𝟑, 𝐲 = 𝟐, 𝐳 = 𝟏, compute:
a. xy +yz +zx b. (xy )(yz )(zx )
c. (x)y+z +(y)z+x +(z)x+y

B. Powers with Negative Exponents

We know that 53 =5×5×5=125
125
52 =5×5=25=
5
25
51 =5=
5
5
50 =1=
5
Observe that in each of the above, the previous number is divided by
the base 5. Thus, from the above pattern, we get
1
5-1 =1÷5=
5
1 1 1
5-2 = ÷5= = 2
5 5×5 5
1 1 1
5-3 = 2 ÷5= 2 = 3 , and so on.
5 5 ×5 5

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EXPONENTS AND POWER
1
In general, we can say that for any non-zero integer a,a-m = , where m
am

is a positive integer and a-m is the multiplicative inverse of am .

Examples:

3 -3 4 2 4 3 4 2 4 3 6 2
(a) ( ) ÷ ( ) = ( ) ÷ ( ) = ( ) × ( )
4 6 3 6 3 4

4×4×4 6×6 16
=( )×( )=
3×3×3 4×4 3
1 2 1 1 3
(b) (7-2 ×6-1 )÷3-3 = ( ) × ( ) ÷ ( )
7 6 3

1 2 1
= ( ) × ( ) ×33
7 6
1 1 9
=( ) × ( ) ×27=
49 6 98

C. Laws of Exponents
Law 1: If x is a non-zero rational number and m and n are two integers,
thenxm ×xn =xm+n .
Example : 52 ×5 = 52+1 = 53 = 5 ×5 ×5 = 125.

2 2 2 3 2 2+3
Example : ( ) × ( ) = ( )
5 5 5

2 5 2 2 2 2 2
=( ) = × × × ×
5 5 5 5 5 5
32
=
3125
Law 2: If x is a non-zero rational number and m and n are two integers,
thenxm ÷xn =xm-n .

Example :46 ÷42 -46-2 -44 =256

3 3 3 2 3 3-2 3
Example :( ) ÷ ( ) = ( ) =
4 4 4 4

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EXPONENTS AND POWER
Law 3: If x is a non-zero rational number and m and n are two
integers, then(xm )n =xmn .
2 2
Example : (33 ) =(3×3×3)
=(3×3×3)×(3×3×3)
=30 =33×2 =729
2
5 2 5 5 2
Example : (( ) ) = ( × )
6 6 6

5 5 5 5 5 4 625
=( × )×( × )=( ) =
6 6 6 6 6 1296
Law 4: If x and y are two non-zero rational numbers and m is an
integer, then
xm ×ym =(x+y)m
Example : 33 ×73 =(3×3×3)×(7×7×7)
=(3×7)×(3×7)×(3×7)
3
=(3×7)

1 2 2 2 1 1 2 2
Example : ( ) × ( ) = ( × ) × ( × )
3 5 3 3 5 5

1 2 1 2 1 2 2
=( × )×( × )=( × )
3 5 3 5 3 5
Law 5: If x and y are two non-zero rational numbers and m is an
integer, then

m m
x m
x ÷y = ( )
y
4×4×4
Example : 43 ÷73 =
7×7×7

4 4 4 4 3
= × × =( )
7 7 7 7

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EXPONENTS AND POWER
2 3 4 3
Example : ( ) ÷ ( )
3 5

2 2 2
× ×
=3 3 3
4 4 4
× ×
5 5 5
2 3
3 2×5 3 5 3
=( ) =( ) =( )
4 3×4 6
5
Law 6: If x is a non-zero rational number, then x0 =1
2 0
For example, (5)0 = 1, ( ) = 1, etc.
3

Law 7: If x is a non-zero rational number and

1 m
m is an integer, then x-m = ( )
x

1 3 1
For example, (6)3= ( ) =
6 63
2
2 -2 1 3 2 32 9
(3) = ( 2 ) = (2) = 2 = , etc.
4
2
3

Try and learn

Example 4: Using the laws of exponents, simplify the following:

a. 23 ×25 b. (-8)4 ×(-8)5 c. 97 ÷93 d. 87 ÷89
4 3 x 5 x 4
e. (23 ) f. (124 ) g. 26 ×56 h. ( ) ÷ ( )
y y

solution:
a. 23 ×25 =23+5 =28 b. (-8)4 ×(-8)5 =(-8)4+5 =(-8)9
1
c. 97 ÷93 =97-3 =94 d. 87 ÷89 =87-9 =8-2 =
82
4 3
e. (23 ) =23×4 =212 f. (124 ) =(12)4×3 =1212

x 5 x 4 x 5-4 x
g. 26 ×56 =(2×5)6 =106 h. ( ) ÷ ( ) = ( ) =
y y y y

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 CHAPTER 12
EXPONENTS AND POWER
Example 5: Simplify the following expressions:
-2
a. (3)-2 ×(3)-6 b. 42 ÷43 c. (52 )

2
d. (-4)-5 ×(-4)3 e. (3-5 ) f. 95 ÷93

Solution:
1 1 1
a. (3)-2 ×(3)-6 =(3)-2+(-6) =3-8 = 8 = b. 42 ÷43 =42-3 =4-1 =
3 6561 4
-2 1 1 1 1
c. (52 ) =5-4 = 4 = d. (-4)-5 ×(-4)3 =(-4)-5+3 =(-4)-2 = (-4)2 =
5 625 16
2 1 1
e. (3-5 ) =3-10 = 10 = f. 95 ÷93 =95-3 =92 =81
3 59049

Example 6: Simplify and write the following in exponential form:

4
35 ×(-6)2 (52 ) ×(-3)2
a. b.
92 ×24 9×53
3
c. 34 × 2 + 20 × 36 d. (52 ) -92 ×32 +23 ×30
(−5)2 ×3−3 ×72
e. ((3)−2 ÷ (−3)−4 ) × (−2)2 f.
25×92 ×53

Solution:
35 ×(-6)2 35 ×(-1)2 ×(3×2)2
a. =
92 ×24 2
(32 ) ×24

35 ×(-1)2 ×32 ×22 m

= 2 [∵(ab)m =am ×b ]
(32 ) ×24

35+2 22
= ×1× [∵am ×an =am+n and (−1)even integer = 1]
34 24

37
= 4 ×22-4 (∵am ÷an =am-n )
3

=37-4 ×2-2 =33 ×2-2

4 2
(52 ) ×(-3) (5)2×4 ×(-1)2 ×32
b. = [∵ (am )n =amn ]
9×53 (3)2 ×53

58 ×1
= 3
=58-3 =55
5

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CHAPTER 12
EXPONENTS AND POWER
c. 34 ×2+20 ×36 =34 ×2+1×34 ×32 (∵a0 =1)
=34 (2+32 )
=34 (2+9)=34 ×111
3
d. (52 ) -92 ×32 +23 ×30 =56 -9×9×3×3+2×2×2×1 (∵a0 =1)
=5 ×5 ×5 ×5 ×5 ×5-729+8
=15625-729+8=14904
=2 ×2 ×2 ×3 ×3 ×3 ×3 ×23
=23 ×34 ×231
1 1 1
e. ((3)-2 ÷(-3)-4 )×(-2)2 = ( 2 ÷ (-3)4 ) ×(-2)2 (∵a-n = n)
3 a

1 1
=( 2
×(-3)4 ) ×(-2)2 = ( 2
×(-1)4 ×34 ) ×(-2)2
3 3
=34-2 ×1×(-2)2 [∵am ÷an =am-n , (−1)even integer = 1]
=32 ×(-2)2
(-5)2 ×3-3 ×72 (-1)2 ×(5)2 ×(3-3 )×72
f. =
25×92 ×53 2
(5)2 ×(32 ) ×53

1
1× 3×72 1
= 3
4 3 [∵(-1)even integer =1, a-n = and(am )n =amn
3 ×5 an

72 72
= 3= [∵am ×an =am+n ]
34 ×33 ×5 34+3 ×53

72
=
37 ×53

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EXPONENTS AND POWER

Checkpoint-2

1. Using laws of exponents, simplify and write the answer in exponential

form:

a. 23 ×24 ×2-5 b. (-3)4 ×(-3)5 ×(-3)2 c. a5 ×a7

2. Simplify and express each of the following in exponential form:
a. 25 ×35 b. 30 ×40 ×50
c. 60 ×23 ×3-3
3. Simplify:
a. 2-6 -50 ×25 b. 8×2-3 -26 +50 c. 2×35 -6×64
4. Classify the following as true or false:
a. 23 ×32 =65 b. 26 ×30 ×50 =30 c. 20 +70 +50 =3
5. Fill in the blanks:
a. In (−2)5 , −2 is called _____ and 5 is called _____.
b. For all values of n, (1)n equals _____.
c. The value of (-5)° equals _____.
0
d. The value of (25 ) equals _____.
3 2
6. Given that 𝐚 = −𝟐 and 𝐛 = −𝟑, calculate the value of 2a3 +(b ) -a2
7. Simplify the following:
3
34 ×(-5)-4 (-5)2 ×6-2 ×32 30 +(52 ) -62
a. 3 b. c. 3
9×(52 ) 36×(-5)4 (32 ) ×52

8. Simplify and write the following in exponential form:

2 2
26 ×32 ×(-5)-2 (63 ) ×(-32 ) 4 0 3
a. -4 b. 3 c. 20 ×(32 ) -(42 ) +(52 )
9×5 18×3

9. Using laws of exponents, simplify:

3 3
(2x2 ) 5y 2 3 4
a. (5x)-2
b. ((4x)2 ) c. (6a2 b ) +(3a2 )

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EXPONENTS AND POWER
10. Express the following in positive exponents only:
5-2 ×32 x-2 ×y-4 ×z-3 -2
a. b. c. (-3)2 ×(52 )
5-4 ×3-6 xyz

D. Application of Exponents
Staphylococcus genus-group of spherical bacteria are the significant
agents of wound infections, boils and other human skin infections and
are one of the most common causes of food poisoning. If starting with
1, they double by the end of every hour under normal conditions at
37°C. This can be observed using exponents.
End of every hour 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Bacteria—starting with one 2 4 8 16 32 64 128
Pattern of growth 2 22 23 24 25 26 27

Observing the above growth pattern, we find that at the end of a day,
i.e. after 24 hours, the bacteria count increases to 16777216, i.e. 224 .

Checkpoint-3

1. State true or false and give reasons.

-3 -1 5 2 -2
a. ( ) × ( ) <155 b. (140 +180 )(50 +20 ) >82
5 2

2. Solve for x.
a. 32x ÷3-7 =3-3 b. [128x ×12]÷125 =20736
3. Fill in the boxes.
3 -3
5 (32 ) ×(52 ) 2
-10
a. [5 ] ÷5 =1 b. = [3 ]
5-6

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 CHAPTER 12
EXPONENTS AND POWER
F. Standard form
The distance of the Sun from the Earth is approximately 149,600,000
km. The mass of earth is about 5,970,00,000,000,000,000,000,000.
The size of atoms and molecules are expressed in a unit called
angstrom. 1 angstrom is equal to 0.00000001 cm. It is cumbersome
to use such numbers in calculations. So, they are written using
exponents. Numbers written using exponents are said to be in
scientific notation or standard form.
A number is said to be in standard form if it is written in the form
n
a × 10 where a is a number greater than or equal to 1 but less than 10
and n is an integer.
For example, 400,000,000,000 in standard form is 4 × 1011 , and
-13
0.0000000000009 kg in standard form is 9×10
Example 7 Express in standard form.
(i) 9,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 (ii) 654,000,000,000,000,000
(ii) 0.000000000000008 (iv) 0.000000000384
Solution (i) 9,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 9; is followed by 21 zeroes.
21
9×10 .
(ii) 654,000,000,000,000,000, 654; is followed by 15 zeroes.
15 2 15 17
Therefore, it can be written as 654×10 =6.54×10 ×10 =6.54×10 .
8 8
(iii) 0.000000000000008 = = 15 =8.0 ×10-15
1000000000000000 10
384 3.84 × 100 3.84
(iv) 0.000000000384 = =
1000000000000 1000000000000 10000000000

Example 8 Write these numbers in usual form.

8 -6
(i) 2.37×10 (ii) 3.6×10
-6
Solution (i) 2.37×108 = 237,000,000 (ii) 3.6×10 = 0.0000036

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CHAPTER 12
EXPONENTS AND POWER
a. Addition and subtraction of two very large and very small
numbers
To add or subtract two large or small numbers, we follow the steps
given below.
(i) Write both the numbers in their standard forms.
(ii) Rewrite the numbers such that the power of 10 in both of them
is the same.
(iii) Add the numbers in the usual manner.

Try and learn

Example 9 Find the sum of 3.34 x 1020 and 6.56 x 1018.

Solution 3.34 x 1020 + 6.56 x 1018 = 334 x 1018 + 6.56 x 1018
= (334 + 6.56) x 1018 = 340.56 x 1018 = 3.4056 x 1020
Example 14 Find the difference between 𝟓. 𝟔 𝐱 𝟏𝟎−𝟔 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟑. 𝟒𝟖 𝐱 𝟏𝟎−𝟗 .
-6 -9 -6 -6 -6
Solution 5.6×10 -3.48×10 =5.6×10 -0.00348×10 =5.59652×10

b. Comparison of two very large and very small numbers

To compare two large numbers or small numbers, they have to be

expressed in standard form with the same power of 10.
3
Example 10 The average diameter of Planet A is 6.378×10 km while
the average diameter of Planet B is 𝟏. 𝟒𝟖𝟗𝟎 × 𝟏𝟎𝟒 km. Find the
approximate ratio of the diameters.
4 3
Diameter of Planet B 1.4890 × 10 = 14.890 × 10 ≅ 14 ≅2.3
Solution = 3
Diameter of Planet A 6.378 × 103 6.378 × 10 6

The diameter of Planet B is approximately 2.3 times that of Planet A.

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EXPONENTS AND POWER

Checkpoint-4

1. Express the following into standard form,

(a)0.000000067 (b) 12,54,36,000
1
(c) 345 (d)
28968

(d)100
2. Express the following in usual form.
(a)5.23× l04 (b)2.05×10-3
(c)2×10-5 (d)3.45 × 108
(e)2.49 × l015 (f)8.99×10-7
3. One angstrom is the ten billionth part of a metre. Express this
information in scientific notation.
4. A calculator can perform a single calculation in about 0.0000034
sec. How much time will it take to calculate 4,000 such
calculations? Express your answer in scientific notation.
5. Find the number of seconds in an hour, a day, a week, a month
and a year. Express your answers in scientific notation.
6. One hectare is equal to 10,000 sq. m. How much will this be in
square cm? Express your answer in scientific notation.

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CHAPTER 12
EXPONENTS AND POWER

Bird’s-eye view

• When the base is positive, the result will be positive.

• When the base is negative, and power is an odd number, the result
will be negative.
• When the base is negative, and power is an even number, the result
will be positive.
• When 1 is raised to any power, the result will be equal to 1.
• When (—1) is raised to an odd power, the result will be (—1), and
when (—1) is raised to an even power, the result is 1.
1
• We denote the reciprocal of a number a by a−1, i.e. a-1 = . Hence, the
a

p m q m
reciprocal of ( ) is ( ) .
q p

• For any number a and integers m and n, we have

• am ×an =am+n
• am ÷an =am-n , when m > n
• (am )n =amn
1
• a-n = n , when a ≠ 0
a
1
• a0 =1, a1 =a and a-1 = , when a≠0
a

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 CHAPTER 12
EXPONENTS AND POWER

Solved examples

Example: 1. Simplify the following and express the result in power

notation with a positive exponent.
4 3
(a)(-3)4 × ( ) (b)(2-5 ÷2-8 )×2-3
3

(8-1 ×33 )
(c)
2-4 ×9-2

Solution:
4 3 4 3 34
(a)(-3)4 × ( ) =(3)4 × ( ) = ( 3 ) ×43
3 3 3

=34-3 ×43 =3×43

(b)(2-5 ÷2-8 )×2-3 =2-5-(-8) ×2-3 =2-5+8 ×2-3

=2-5+8-3 =23-3 =20 =1

-1
(8-1 ×33 ) (23 ) ×33 2-3 ×33
(c) 2-4 ×9-2 = 2 -2
=
2-4 ×3-4
2-4 ×(3 )

=2-3-(-4) ×33-(-4) =2-3+4 ×33+4 =2×37

Example 2: Express each of the following in exponential form:
9 8 -64 -32
a. b. c. d.
25 27 125 243

Solution:
9 3×3 3 3 3 2
a. = = × =( )
25 5×5 5 5 5

8 2×2×2 2 2 2 2 3
b. = = × × =( )
27 3×3×3 3 3 3 3

-64 (-4)×(-4)×(-4) -4 -4 -4 -4 3
c. = =( )×( )×( )=( )
125 5×5×5 5 5 5 5

-32 (-2)×(-2)×(-2)×(-2)×(-2) -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 5
d. = =( )×( )×( )×( )×( )=( )
243 3×3×3×3×3 3 3 3 3 3 3

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Example 3: Express each of the following numbers as a product of
powers of prime factors:
a. 250 b. −1331 c. 3600 d. 3773
Solution:
a 250=2×125=2×5×5×5=2×53
b. -1331=(-11)×(-11)×(-11)=(-11)3
c. 3600=2×2×2×2×3×3×5×5=24 ×32 ×52
d. 3773=7×7×7×11=73 ×11
Example 4: By what number should 5-1 be multiplied so that the
product becomes (–7)–1?
Solution: Let the required number be x. According to the question,

(5)-1 ×x=(-7)-1

x=(-7)-1 ÷(5)-1
1 1 -5
x= ( ) ÷ ⇒x=
-7 5 7

4 -3 4 -9 4 6x
Example:5 Find x so that. ( ) × ( ) = ( )
5 5 5

4 -3 4 -9 4 6x 4 -3+(-9) 4 6x 4 -12 4 6x
Solution: ( ) × ( ) = ( ) = ( ) =( ) =( ) =( )
5 5 5 5 5 5 5

Example 6 Simplify the following.

(ii) (3- ) ÷9
2 2
(i) (-7)-1 ÷(-28)-
0 10 2

10
Solution (i) (-7)- ÷(-28)- =(-7)- ×(-28) =(-7)- ×(-7 ) ×4
10 10 10 10 10 10

10 10 10 10
= (-7)- ×4 =(-7)0 ×4 =1×4 =4
10+10

(ii) (3- ) ÷9 =(3- )÷(3 ) =3- ÷3 =3 = 3-

2 2 2 2×2 2 2 4 4 -4-4 8

-3 -3 2 2
Example 7 Evaluate: (i) ( ) × ( ) (ii) (2-3 ×3-3 )÷6-6
7 7

-3 -3 2 2 7 3 2 2 73 22 7×4 -28 1
Solution (i) ( ) × ( ) = ( ) × ( ) = (-3)3 × 2 = = = -1 ( )
7 7 -3 7 7 -27 27 27

(ii) (2- ×3- )÷6-6 =(2 x 3)- ÷6- =6- ÷6- =6

3 3 3 6 3 6 3

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 CHAPTER 12
EXPONENTS AND POWER
Example 8 Find the value of m in the following.
8 -4 8 6 8 -8 8 2m
(ii) (-4)- ×(-4) =(-4) (ii) ( ) × ( ) × ( ) = ( )
3 7 m

9 9 9 9

(iii) 6m-3 =1

Solution (i) (-4)- ×(-4) =(-4) ⇒(-4) =(-4)

3 7 m 4 m

Since the bases are equal, the exponents can be equated.

Hence, m = 4.
8 -4 8 6 8 -8 8 2m 8 -6 8 2m
(ii) ( ) × ( ) × ( ) = ( ) ⇒( ) =( )
9 9 9 9 9 9

Since the bases are equal, the exponents can be equated.

Hence, 2m = (-6) or m = (-3).

(iii) 6 =1⇒6 =60

m-3 m-3

Since the bases are equal, the exponents can be equated.

Hence, m - 3 = 0 or m = 3
Example 9 Simplify:
2 -3 125 2 6 5 -3
(i) (3- -3 )× ( ) +130 ×(-1)
2 3 3
(ii) ×( ) ×( )
3 128 5 8

2 -3 1 1 2-3
Solution (i) (3- -3 )× ( ) +130 ×(-1) = ( 2 - 3) × ( -3) +1×(-1)
2 -3 3

3 3 3 3

1 1 33 2 27 1 3
= {( - ) × ( 3 )} -1= ( × ) -1= -1= (- )
9 27 2 27 8 4 4
3
125 2 6 -5 -3 53 26 -83 53 26 (23 ) 29 26 28
(ii) ×( ) ×( ) = 7× 6× = (- 7) × 6× = (- 7 ) × 6 = (- 6 )
128 3 8 2 3 53 2 3 53 2 3 3

Example 10 If 5x = 625, find the values of 3x and 2x-1.

Solution 625 = 54 ⇒ 4 5x = 54. Since bases are equal, powers can be
equated. Hence, x = 4.
Therefore, 3x = 34 = 81 and 2x-1 = 23 = 8.

18
CHAPTER 12
EXPONENTS AND POWER
1 -2 3 -4
Example 11 By which number should ( ) be multiplied to get ( )
9 8
as product?
Solution Factor x Factor = Product ⇒ Factor = Product/Factor. The
3 -4 1 -2 3 -4 1 -2
required number = ( ) ÷ ( ) = ( ) × Reciprocal of ( )
8 9 8 9

3 -4 1 2 3-4 1 3-8 84
= ( ) × ( ) = -4 × 4 = ( -4 ) = 8
8 9 8 3 8 3

Example 12: Identify the greater number in each of the following:

a. 34 or 43 b. 36 or 63 c. 37 or 73 d. 42 or 24
Solution:
a. Here, 34 =3×3×3×3=81
43 =4×4×4=64
Since,81>64,34 >43
b. Here,36 =3×3×3×3×3×3=729
63 =6×6×6=216
Since,729>216,36 >63
c. Here,37 =3×3×3×3×3×3×3 =2187
73 =7×7×7=343
Since,2187>343,37 >73
d. Here,42 =4×4=16
24 =2×2×2×2=16
Here,42 =24
Example 13: Simplify:
1 3 1 3 1 2
a. [( ) - ( ) ] ×23 b. (32 +22 )÷ ( )
2 4 5

Solution:
1
1 3 1 3 3 1 1 8-1 7 7
a. [( ) - ( ) ] ×2 = ( - ) ×8= ×8= ×8=
2 4 8 64 64 64 8
8

19
 CHAPTER 12
EXPONENTS AND POWER
1 2 1
b. (32 +22 )÷ ( ) =(9+4)÷ =13 ×25=325
5 25

Example 14: If x = 2, y = 3, then find the value of each of the

following:
x x+y x x−y+3
a. x x + y y b. x y + y x c. ( ) d. ( )
y y

Solution: We have
a. xx +yy =22 +33 =4+27=31
b. xy +yx =23 +32 =8+9=17
x x+y 2 5 2 2 2 2 2 32
c. ( ) =( ) = × × × × =
y 3 3 3 3 3 3 243

x x-y+3 2 2-3+3 2 2 2 2 4
d. ( ) =( ) =( ) = × =
y 3 3 3 3 9

Example 15: Simplify the following:

3
(32 ) ×53 (4)-2 ×32
a. b.
33 ×52 52 ×(-4)-3

Solution:
3
(32 ) ×53 32×3 ×53
a. = [∵(am )n =amn ]
33 ×52 33 ×52
am
=36-3 ×53-2 (∵ =am-n )
an

=33 ×5=3×3×3×5=135
(4)-2 ×32 32 ×(-4)3 1
b. 2 = 2 (∵a-n = n )
5 ×(-4)-3 5 ×(4)2 a

32 ×(-1)3 ×43
=
52 ×42
32 ×(-1)×43-2
= [∵(-1)odd integer =-1 and am ÷ an = am−n ]
52
(-1)×3×3×4 -36
= =
5×5 25

20
CHAPTER 12
EXPONENTS AND POWER
Example 16: Using the laws of exponents, simplify the following:
2
3x2 2 3
a. ( ) b. 3p2 q3 ×5pq2 c. 12p3 ÷6p2 d. (5a2 b )
2y

Solution:
2 2
3x2 (3x2 ) a m am
a. ( ) = (2y)2
[∵ ( ) = m ]
2y b b
2
32 (x2 ) 9x2×2 9x4
= = =
22 y2 4y2 4y2
b. 3p2 q3 ×5pq2 =(3×5)×(p2 ×p)×(q3 ×q2 )
=15×p2+1 ×q3+2 =15p3 q5
2
3 2 12p3 12
c. 12p ÷6p = = p3-2 =2p
6p2 6

2 3 3 2 3 2×3 6
d. (5a2 b ) =53 ×(a2 ) ×(b ) =125a2×3 b =125a6 b
Example 17: Express the following in positive exponents only:
7-2 ×52 x2 ×y-4 ×z-3
a. b.
53 ×7-4 x-4 ×y3 ×z5

Solution:
7-2 ×52
a.
53 ×7-4

=7-2-(-4) ×52-3 (∵am ÷an =am-n )

2 72 -1
=7 ×5 =
5
x2 ×y-4 ×z-3
b. =x2-(-4) ×y-4-3 ×z-3-5 [∵am ÷an =am-n ]
x-4 ×y3 ×z5

x6
6 -7 -8
=x y z = 7 8
y z
Example 18: If(25x ×24 )÷8=64, find the value of x.
Solution: (25x ×24 )÷8=64
(25x+4 )÷23 =26 (∵xm ×xn =xm+n )
25x+4-3 =26 (∵xm ÷xn =xm-n )
25x+1 =26 5 x+1=6 ⇒5 x=5 ⇒x=1

21
 CHAPTER 12
EXPONENTS AND POWER
Practice Yourself

1 marks question

Multiple Choice Questions.

2 -2 3 -2
1. ( ) ÷ ( ) is equal to:
3 2
16 4
(a) (b)
81 9
9 81
(c) (d)
4 16
2
3 3 2 3 2
2. ( ) × (( ) ) ÷ ( ) ÷2-3 ×3 is equal to :
4 4 4
1
(a) 1 (b)
2
81
(c) (d)162
8
a 3 c 3
3. ( ) × ( ) =
b d

a 3 c a3 c 3
(a)( ) 3 (b)
b d bd

ac 3
(c) ( ) (d)none of these
bd
3
2a-2 b
4. The expression equivalent to -5 is.
4a3 b
2
2a-5 ab
(a) 8 (b)
b 2
8
2 b
(c)2ab (d)
2a5

3 -3 3 4x 3 5
5. The value of x for which ( ) × ( ) = ( ) , is:
4 4 4

(a)1 (b) 2
(c) 3 (d) 4

22
CHAPTER 12
EXPONENTS AND POWER
6. If (32𝑥−1 − 5) ÷ 2 = 11then the value of x is:
(a)1 (b)2
(c)3 (d)4
7. The standard form of 10 is:

(a)10 (b)1 × 101

(c)1 × 100 (d)none of these

1
8. The standard form of :
50,00,00,000

(a)2×l09 (b)2×10-9
(c)5×10-8 (d)5×10-9
2 marks Questions
1. Find the value of the following expressions.
6 2 3 −4
(a) (9) (b) ( )
4
3
4 2 1 2 1 3
(c) (( ) ) (d)( ) × ( )
3 3 3

2 4 2 5 4 2 1 4
(e)( ) ÷ ( ) (f) ( ) × ( )
5 5 3 2

−5 2 3 −2 3 3 3 6 2 2
(g) ( ) ÷ ( ) (h) ( ) ÷ ( )  ( )
7 4 2 4 4

2. Find the reciprocal of:

6 2 3 -3
(a)( ) (b) ( )
5 4

1 -1
(c)( ) (d)0
4

(e) 5-1
3. Simplify and express the result in the form of a positive exponent.
3 3
3 -2 2 3 2 0
(a) (( ) ) (b)( ) ÷ (( ) )
7 3 3

-4
3 2 8 2 3 -2
(c) (( ) )  ( ) 32 ÷52  ( )
8 3 5

23
 CHAPTER 12
EXPONENTS AND POWER
4. Find the value of x if:
3 4x 4 2 2 2x
(a)7-2 ×32 = ( ) (b)( ) = ( )
7 9 3
3
(c) 343=72x
2 2 3 -4
5. If x= ( ) × ( ) find the value of x-2
3 2

3 Marks questions
4 -2 1 2
6. 6. If x= ( ) ÷ ( ) find the value of 𝑥 −1
5 4

7. Express the following in standard form.

(a)6,75,43,000 (b)0.5
(c)–76.000000 (d)0.000000001
(e) 0 (f)2
8. Write the following in the usual form.
(a)8.08×103 (b)–7.2×104
(c)-8.65×10-6 (d) 4.32 × 10-6
(e) 1.2×100
9. Eight copies of a book with 500 pages are stacked on top of each
other. If the thickness of a page is 0.0065 cm, then what is the
height of the stack of the books? Express your answer in scientific
notation.
10. The weight of a poppy seed is 0.0002985 g. Express this in scientific
notation. What will be the weight of 1 cup of poppy seeds, if the
cup can hold approximately 5,00,000 poppy seeds?
11. The length of one of the smallest algae is 0.00004 in, and length
of one of the largest algae is 200 ft. If 1 ft = 12 in, find the ratio of the
length of largest algae to the smallest algae and express this ratio
in scientific notation.

24
CHAPTER 12
EXPONENTS AND POWER
4 Marks questions
12. Find the value of x if:

y×y×y÷y3 ×y4 =y2x

13. Find the value of x if:

x
(y×y2 ×y3 ×y4 ×y5 ) =1

14. Is the value of the following expressions positive or negative?

(a)–32 (b)(–3)2
(c) 3−2 (d) (–3)3
(e) (–3)–3
15. Evaluate the following:
0 2
4 3 4 -3 4 0 2 3
(a)( ) × ( ) × ( ) (b) ((( ) ) )
5 5 5 3

(c) 42 ÷24

3-2
15. Write using positive exponents.
4-5

16. Simplify:-5(-5)-1
2
17. Simplify:10-3 ×(3×108 )
18. Express 4,36,00,00,00,000 in the scientific notation.
19. The temperature at the core of Sun Sun is approximate1.5×107 °C.
Express it in expanded form.
20. Simplify: 2.4 × (0.6×10-4 ).

25
 CHAPTER 12
EXPONENTS AND POWER

1. Write the multiplicative inverse with positive exponents for the

following:
−23 3 8 −7
(a)( ) (b)( )
25 13

−145 −21 25 45
(c) ( ) (d)( )
63 −9

2. Write the reciprocals of the following with negative exponents:

3 −4 −7 4
(a)( ) (b)( )
−10 −15

54 −67 −92 34
(c) ( ) (d)( )
7 5

3. Using laws of exponents simplify the following:

5 −8 5 6 −2 −4 3 −4
(a)( ) × ( ) (b) ( ) × ( )
9 9 11 5

1 −3 1 −7 6 −8 2 −8
(c) ( ) ÷ ( ) (d) ( ) ÷ ( )
4 4 13 13
−3
7 −2
(e) [( ) ] (f) (−2)−3 ÷ (−2)−2
9
𝑝
4. Write the following in form:
𝑞

1 −3 1 −2
(a)( ) (b)( )
−4 5
−2
3 −2 15 −1 1 −1 3 −1
(c) ( ) × ( ) (d)[( ) − (− ) ]
5 2 2 4

5. Express the following as a rational number with positive exponents:

2 25 5 30
( 5) ÷ ( )
2

6. Simplify:
1 -1 1 -1 5 -3
(i) (2-1 - 3-1 ) ÷ (4-1 + 6-1 ) (ii) [( ) ÷ ( ) ] × ( )
2 4 2

-7-2 × 3-1 × 11-2 × a-4 (−8)−2 × 5−3 × (−7)−4 × 24

(iii) (iv)
22-4 × 21-3 × a-4 (−5)−7 × 28−3 × 164

26
CHAPTER 12
EXPONENTS AND POWER
4 3m 4 -6 4 -9
7. Solve for m: ( ) ÷ ( ) = ( )
7 7 7

3 -2 3 -1
8. By what should ( ) be multiplied to get ( ) ?
5 10

9. Write the following in expanded form:

(i) 987.42 (ii)65.843
(iii) 0.045 (iv)5435.492
10. Write the following in decimal form:
(i)6 × 101 + 5 × 100 + 8 × 10-1 + 3 × 10-3
(ii)4 × 10-2 + 5 × 10-3
(iii) 5 × 102 + 4 × 100 + 9 × 10-2 + 6 × 10-3
11. Express in standard form:
(i) 0.0000005
(ii) 0.00000036
(iii) 0.0000369
(iv) 0.10000234
12. Express in usual form:
(i) 7.89 × 10−7
(ii) 2.54 × 109
13. The radius of Jupiter 7.1 × 107 "m and that of Earth is 6.3 ×
106 m. Compare the two.

14. The mass of Jupiter is 1.9 × 1027 kg, and the mass of the SunSun is
1.99 × 1030 kg. Find the total mass.

15. Evaluate:

(i) 6.389 × 10-24 -5.54 × 10-25 (ii) 2.485 × 10-32 + 0.0254 × 10-32

(iii) (74 × 10-26 ) ÷(0.004 × 1021 ) (iv) 0.012 × 10-41 ÷0.003 × 10-46

27
 CHAPTER 12
EXPONENTS AND POWER

Solutions

Checkpoint -1
2 4
1. a. 55 b. 74 c. (− )
5

2. a. 4, 3 b. 5, –1 c. 7, 0.3
1728
3. a. 9 b. 81 c.
1331

4. a. –8 b. –27 c. 256
3 3 −4 3 4 2
5. a. ( ) b. ( ) c. ( )
5 9 7

6. a. 53 × 22 b. 33 × 52 c. 22 × 73
7. a. (−3)2 b. 25 c. 38
8. a. 56 b. 16 c. 64
9. a. 125 b. 144 c. 125
10. a. 12 b. 18 c. 44
Checkpoint -2
1. a. 22 b. (−3)11 c. 𝑎12
2 3
2. a. 65 b. 1 c. ( )
3
−2047
3. a. b. –62 c. –7290
64

4. a. F b. F c. T
5. a. base, exponent b. 1 c. 1 d. 1
6. 709
9 1 3118
7. a. b. c.
510 3600 3645

8. a. 26 × 52 b. (6)5 c. 38 − 1 + 56
125𝑦 3
9. a. 200 𝑥 8 b. c. 27𝑎6 (8𝑏6 + 3𝑎2 )
4096𝑥 6
1 32
10. a. 52 × 38 b. c.
𝑥3 𝑦5𝑧 4 54

28
CHAPTER 12
EXPONENTS AND POWER
Checkpoint -3
1. a. True b. False
2. a. –5 b. 1
3. a. –2 b. 3
Checkpoint -4
1.
a) 6.7 × 10−8
b) 1.25436 × 108
c) 3.45 × 102
d) 8968 × 10−4
e) 1 × 102 ;
2.
a) 52,300
b) 0.00205
c) 0.00002
d) 34,50,00,000
e) 2,49,00,00,00,00,00,000
f) 0.000000899;
3. 1 angstrom = 1 × 10−10 m;

4. 1.36 × 10−2 sec;

5. 1 hr = 3.6 × 103 sec, 1 day = 8.64 × 104 sec, 1 week = 6.084 × 105 sec, 1
month (30 days) = 2.592 × 106 sec, 1 year (365 days) = 3.1536 × 107 sec;

6. 1 hectare = 1 × 108 sq. cm

29
 CHAPTER 12
EXPONENTS AND POWER

Novice level

Multiple-choice questions

1 marks questions
1. d)
2. c)
3. c)
4. d)
5. b)
6. b)
7. b)
8. b)

2 Marks questions :
1.
4
a)
9
13
b) 3
81
451
c) 5
729
1
d)
243
1
e) 2
2
1
f)
9
225
g)
784
20
h) 4
27
2.
25
a)
36
27
b)
64
1
c)
4
d) ∞
e) 5

30
CHAPTER 12
EXPONENTS AND POWER
3.
7 6
a) ( )
3
2 3
b) ( )
3
8 10
c) ( )
3
4.
1
a) 𝑥 =
2
b) 𝑥 = 2
c) 𝑥 = 2
3 12
5. ( )
2
3 Marks questions :
1 2
6. ( )
5
7.
a) 6.7543 × 107
b) 5.0 × 10−1
c) −7.6 × 101
d) 1 × 10−9
e) 0
f) 2.0 × 10∘
8.
a) 8,080
b) –72,000
c) –0.00000865
d) 0.00000432
e) 1.2;
9. 26 cm, 2.6 × 101
10. 2.985 × 10−4 ,149.25 gm approx.
11. 6.0 × 107

31
 CHAPTER 12
EXPONENTS AND POWER

Advanced level

−25 3 8 7 −145 21 −9 45
1. (i) ( ) (ii) (13) (iii) ( ) (iv) ( )
23 63 25

−10 −4 −7 −4 −7 −67 −92 −34

2. ( ) (ii) ( ) (iii) ( ) (iv) ( )
3 15 54 5

5 −2 7 −4 5 4 1 4 5 −2 1
3. (i) ( ) (ii) ( ) × ( ) (iii) ( ) (iv) 3−8 (v) ( ) (vi) −
9 15 3 4 9 2

−64 10 9
4. (i) (ii) 25 (iii) (iv)
1 27 100

2 55
5. (i) ( )
5

2 4
6. (i) (ii) (iii) −𝑎2 × 24 × 112 × 32 × 7 (iv) −54 × 7−1 × 2−12
5 125

7. m = –5
6
8.
5

9. (i) 900 + 80 + 7 + 0.4 + .02 (ii) 60 + 5 + .8 + .04 + .003

(iii)0.04 + 0.005 (iv) 5000 + 400 + 30 + 5 + 0.4 + 0.09 + 0.002

10. (i) 65.803 (ii) .045 (iii) 504.096

11. (i) 5 × 10−7 (ii) 3.6 × 10−7 (iii) 3.69 × 10−5 (iv) 1.0000234 × 10−1

12. (i) 0.000000789 (ii) 2540000000

13. The radius of Jupiter is 11.26 times radius of Earth

14. 1991.9 × 1027 kg

15. (i) 5.835 × 10−24 (ii) 5.025 × 10−32 (iii) 2.96 × 10−48 (iv) 400000

32
CHAPTER 12
EXPONENTS AND POWER

33
 CHAPTER 12
EXPONENTS AND POWER

34