Laws of Indices

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 3 7
2 10
 1024
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