Zero and negative indices

Is there a pattern we can

see that will help us out?

0 −1
   

3 3
33 = 27  ÷ 3

32 = 9
 ÷ 3
At this point, it doesn’t 31 = 3
make sense to say “The  ÷ 3
product of -1 threes”. We’ll 3 = 1?
0

have to use a different

1
approach! 3 = -1 ?
3
1
3 = -2
9?
Quickfire Questions
Your teacher will target various people. Do in your head!

𝟏 𝟏
   
? ?
A power of -1
therefore ‘flips’
? (reciprocates) the
?

−2
fraction.

−1
?

4= 6=
?
? ?

? ?

𝟒 𝟑𝟔
? ?
? ?
?
?
?
?
Mini Exercise (Exercise 1b) Questions on provided worksheet.

1  Determine the value of: N  [Edexcel GCSE June2003-6H Q17b]

Let , ,
a ?
b ? If 𝑥𝑦 = 32 and , find the value of 𝑝 and
the value of 𝑞 .
c ?
d ?
 Dividing the second equation by first:
2
Therefore
?

  (as )
?
A reminder of the Laws of Indices

𝑏 𝑐 𝑏 0
 
𝑎 × 𝑎 =𝑎 ? +𝑐  
𝑎 =1
?

 
𝑎𝑏 𝑏− 𝑐
𝑐
= 𝑎?  
𝑎 1
=𝑎
?
𝑎
  𝑏 𝑐 𝑏𝑐
(𝑎 ) =𝑎?

 
−𝑏 1
𝑎 = ?𝑏
𝑎
Fractional Indices

  1
2
𝑥 =√ 𝑥
And how could we prove this?
 
But it’s also the case that:

by laws of indices.
?
So
Fractional Indices

  1
3 3
𝑥 =√ 𝑥
?

 
1
𝑛 𝑛
𝑥 =√ 𝑥
?
Examples

1 16 0 . 25
 
?
=2
?

1 2

2
?   2
( √ 𝑥 ) =( 𝑥 ) =𝑥
64 =√ 𝟔𝟒=𝟖
3 2 3 ? 3
?
  1
? 3
( − 1000 ) =−
? 10
Test Your Understanding So Far…

1
 
?

2
36 = √𝟑𝟔=𝟔
?

?
 What if the numerator is not 1?
‘Workings’-wise I usually skip his
 
3 1 3 step.

9 = 9 2 ( ) =3 = 27
2 ? 3

2
…then just deal with what’s left.
 

5 2
32 =2 =4 ?
Using denominator, do 5th power of 32 first to
get 2 (but still have numerator left in the
power to deal with)
Best to deal with negative in power first. Recall this
does “1 over” the expression without the minus.
  3
−
4 1 1 1
16 = 3
=?
3
=
4 2 8
16
A few more examples

Recall that “reciprocating” a

fraction will cause it to flip.

?
Test Your Understanding

2
 
?

3 𝟐
27 =𝟑 =𝟗
?

?
Exercise 2 Questions on provided worksheet.
1
1   1
1 64
11   − 3
1
 
?
100 =10 2

1
7
64 ? =
−
3
4 27 ( ) 3
? =
3
4
   
9 − 64
2

 
125 =5
?

− 0 .5
3

1
8
  −
64 3 ?=
2
1 12

16 16 ( )
3
2
? =
27
3 16 =?  
16 4 𝟐𝟕
−

  −
2
4
1
9
  2
5
32 = 4 ?
13
81 ( ) =
5
𝟖
?
4
27 3
=? 3
1 14
 
8 3 𝟐𝟒𝟑
−
( )
  −
9 10 32 =?5
= ?
  4
8 27 𝟑𝟐
5 3
8 =16
?
15 Write the following expression without using
1
  −
3 1 indices:
  1
6 8 =? 2 𝑥
− 0 .5
= ?
√𝑥