INDICIES bp

When a number is multiplied by itself a certain number of times rather than

calculating the value at once, we may use an index (also called a power) to
write the answer in a simple form for calculating later.
We call this simple form: Index Form or Exponential Form
E.g. 1. 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 = 24
E.g. 2. y x y x y x y x y x y = y6 Power: The number of
times we will be multiplying
the base by itself
The Base is the quantity we will be using
in multiplication.
 The base can be a number, letter or 24
symbol Base: The number we will be
 If a quantity has a power, that using in the multiplication
number is called a base.

Eg. Number base: 3 5 8a

Variable base: x2 px

Another name for Index is Power.

The Power is a quantity located above the Index and Power mean the SAME
base that indicates the number of times the THING
Base will be used in the multiplication.
 The power can also be a number, letter
or symbol
 Powers float to the upper right of the base.
 Every quantity has a power

Eg. Number power: 3 5 x2

Variable power: 8a px

Language

When a base has a power, we say that base is raised to the power

Eg. 28 We say that 2 (the base) is raised to the power of 8

In other words 2 will be used in a multiplication where it appears 8 times
28 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2
E.g. 1. 24 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 (2 raised to the power of 4)

E.g. 2. y6 = y × y × y × y × y × y (y raised to the power of 6)

1 1 1 1 1
E.g.3. ( )3 = × × ( raised to the power of 3)
2 2 2 2 2

E.g. 4. 1.56 = 1.5 x 1.5 x y x y x y x y (y raised to the power of 6)

When a number is raised to the power of 2 we say the number is squared.

When a number is raised to the power of 3 we say the number is cubed.

x-squared: x2 x-cubed: x3 5 cubed: 53

How to write a quantity in index (exponential) form

1. What quantities(numbers or letters) are being used in the multiplication?

– Base

2. How many times does each quantity appear? - Power

Write the number of times a number appears to the top right-hand corner of that
number; as a power.
Note: Never mistake indicies
for multiplication
Eg.1. Write 2 x 2 x 2 in index form. 35 = 15

What number is being used in the 35 = 3 x 3 x 3 x 3 x 3

multiplication? – Base 2 ALWAYS REMEMBER TO ASK
How many times does the quantity appear? - YOURSELF WHY IS ONE NUMBER
FLOATING NEXT TO THE OTHER?
Power 3 times

Answer: 23

Eg.2. Write 2 x 3 x 2 in index form.

What numbers are being used in the multiplication? – Bases 2 , 3

How many times does each quantity appear? - Power
2 appears 2 times, 3 appears 1 time

Answer: 22 x 3 Notice that 22 x 3 means 2 x 2 x 3. We do not need to

work out 2 x 2
The Value of something written in Index Form

If you are asked for the value. You must work out the answer
23 = 2 x 2 x 2 = 8
35 = 729

The Simple Numbers

Never write 0 or 1 index form because 1 and 0 are already too simple. We do not
need to use simple ways of writing them because there is no simpler way to write them.

Zero 0 raised to any real power is 0

012 = 0 × 0 × 0 × 0 × 0 × 0 × 0 × 0 × 0 × 0 × 0 × 0 = 0 (Recall: Any number multiplied by
0 is 0.)

1 raised to any real power is 1

112 = 1 × 1 × 1 × 1 × 1 × 1 × 1 × 1 × 1 × 1 × 1 × 1 = 1. (Recall: Any number multiplied by
1 is itself.)

Square Numbers:

1 = 12
4 = 22
9 = 32
16=42 = (22)2 = _
25=52
36 = 62
49=72
64= 82 = (23)2 = _
Etc.

Sometimes we are given a number that is not in its simplest form eg 8, and we must
write it index form
8 = 23 This requires practice and the knowledge of our tables and square numbers. Can
you write 144 in exponent form? 144 = ……

Example: Simplify 2 × 43 × 82 = 2× (22)3 × (23)2 = ……………………….

Laws of Indices

(1.) The Power of One (𝑎)1 = 𝑎

Any number raised to the power of 1 s itself
Every quantity has a power. The number 5 has a power. The power is 1.
Whenever a power is not written. The power of the quantity is 1
𝟏 𝟏
2 = 21 3 = 31 10 = 101 x = x1 2 = 21 100 =1001 p = p1 = ( )1
𝟐 𝟐

(2.) Multiplication 𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒎 = 𝒂𝒏+𝒎

When multiplying 2 or more quantities with the SAME BASE, we may add their
powers.
Examples:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10
(I) 23 × 27 = 210 WHY? 23 × 27 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = 210

(II) x6 × x7 = x6+7 = x13

(III) 32 × 3 × 34 = 32 + 1 + 4 = 37
Note: When a power is not written for a quantity, the power of the quantity is 1.
Therefore 3 = 31

(IV) 2 × 32 × 24 × 3 × 5
The rule says we add powers if base is same so we may add only powers of
numbers with the same base
Rewriting we have
2 × 24 × 3 × 32 × 5 = 21+4 × 31 +2 × 5 = 25 × 33× 5

(3.) Division 𝑎𝒏 ÷ 𝑎𝒎 = 𝑎𝒏−𝒎

When dividing terms that have the SAME BASE, subtract the power of the one
we are dividing by from the one being divided.
Examples:

(I) 210 ÷ 27 = 27 – 3 = 24
(II)X2 = x5 - 2 = x3
X2

(III) 510 = 510 – 9 = 5

59

(IV)We can write it like this because when multiplying fractions we multiply
numerators by each other and denominators by each other

23 × 510 × 75 = 23 × 510 × 75
22 × 73 × 54 22 54 73

= 23 - 2 × 510 - 4 × 75 – 3
= 2× 5 × 72

(4.) Power (𝑎𝑛 )𝑚 = 𝑎𝑛𝑚

When we have a base raised to some power e.g 23 and we raise that to some
power e.g (23)4, we may multiply the powers together or simply use rule 1

Examples:

(I) (23)4 = 23×4 = 212

We may also use Rule 1. Remember 23 is a quantity. So (23)4 is saying we are

raising 23 to the power of 4.
(23)4 = 23× 23 × 23 × 23 = 23+3+3+3 = 212

(II) (x2)3 = x2×3

We may also use Rule 1. (x2)3 is the same as saying multiplying x2 by itself 3
times.
(x2)3 = x2 × x2 × x2 = x2+2+2 = x6

(III)(65)2 = 6 5×2 = 610

(IV) (43)2 = 4 3×2 = 46 = (22)6 = 212

Notice that (1x2)3 = 13×6 (we usually work these out mentally.)
= x6
Note: (53)1/2 = (5 1/2)3. In general (am)n= (an)m. Multiplication is commutative.

(5.) Zero Index (𝑎)0 = 1

Any quantity raised to the power of zero is equal to 1.

Examples
(I) a0 = 1
(II) x0 = 1
(III)(y/7)0 = 1
(IV) (10,000)0 = 1
(V) (-3)0 = 1

We say any number raised to the power of zero is 1 for simplicity.

Why any # raised to the power of 0 is 1?
2 2
We know that = 1 but is 2 ÷ 2 = 21-1 = 20
2 2
Therefore 20 = 1

Also
23= 2× 2 × 2 = 1 × 2 × 2× 2
22= 2× 2 = 1 × 2× 2
21= 2 = 1× 2
20= ? = 1

𝟏
(6.) Negative Indices 𝒂−𝒏 =
𝒂𝒏

When raising a quantity to a negative power (index), write the reciprocal of the
number raised to the positive power. In other words, flip it to remove the – sign
(remember to keep the power with the base)
1 3 2𝑥 4 16 𝑥
2-1 = 5-3 = 1 a2 b-2 c-3 =a2 ( )-4 =( ) =
2 2𝑥 3 81
53 b2c3
3 10 3 1000 1
( )-3 =( )= (2-1)-1 = ( )-1 = 2
10 3 27 2
 𝑚⁄ 𝑛
(7.) Fraction Index 𝑎 𝑛 = √𝑎 𝑚

When raising a quantity to a fractional index, we first raise the quantity by the
numerator and then find the root the denominator tells us to.

Examples:
3
(I) X5/3 = √𝑥 5

(II) 43/2 = √43 = (43)1/2 = 43/2 = (22)3/2 = 23

5
(III)Express as power √𝑥 3 as a power of x.

Solution: (x3)1/5 = x3×1/5 = x3/5

EXERCISE:
1. Translate the following by writing statement in index form:
(I.) x-squared (II.) a cubed (III.) five to the power of two ( IV.) two to the power of seven
(IV.) eleven squared times thirteen cubed

2. Write the following in exponential form (each in its simplest form)

A.) 23 × 42 B.) (53)2 C.) 1 × 73 × 312 × 5 × 34 × 72 D.)(3-1)-1
E.) 58 ÷ 56 F.) (1.32)3 G.) 8x-1 H.) w × w × w × m × w × w
3
I.) a ×3×y×3×b×a J.) 52 × 34 × 2 K) √52 L.)43 M.) 50×2×4×11×2×3
32 × 5
3.) State the value of the following: (i.) 24×32 (ii.)103 2-1 (iii.) (1.3)4
𝒙
4.) Evaluate: (i.) 2p0 (ii.) x0 (iii.) 220 (iv.) ( )0 (v.) 3-1 (vi.) 2×2×3 (v.) 53 (vi.) 161/2
𝒚

5.) Simplify each of the following: (i.) (23)2 (ii.)(33)4 (iii.) (y2)4 (iv.) (4k)3
(v.) (5ab2c3)4 (vi.) (11x2yz3)5 (vii.) (t2 × t3)÷t 4
6.) Write each of the following in exponent form
(i.) 1 (ii.) 1 (ii) 2x5 (iv.) 7 (v.) 27
3 52 x7 z9
8.) Write the following as fractions:
(a.) 2-1 (b.) a-3 (c.) x-1 (d.) 5m-6

Summary
Index form is simple way of writing the same number being multiplied by itself.
Example: x2 = x × x

Index form: bp
E.g. with one quantity: x2,102, 23 (Do not need to calculate value)
E.g. with (2+) quantities: 25×32, x3×y×z2 (Do not need to calculate value)
base: the number(s) being used in the multiplication
Power: the number of times the base will be used in the multiplication

Value: we must calculate the answer of the multiplication. (Need to calculate)

When a number is raised to the power of 2 we say the number is squared.
When a number is raised to the power of 3 we say the number is cubed.
0 does not need to be written in index form
1 does not need to be written in index form

Rules of Indicies
(1.) The Power of One (𝑎)1 = 𝑎
(2.) Multiplication 𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒎 = 𝒂𝒏+𝒎 The bases MUST BE THE SAME
(3.) Division 𝑎𝒏 ÷ 𝑎𝒎 = 𝑎𝒏−𝒎 The bases MUST BE THE SAME
(4.) Power (𝑎𝑛 )𝑚 = 𝑎𝑛𝑚
(5.) Zero Index (𝑎)0 = 1
𝟏
(6.) Negative Indices 𝒂−𝒏 = 𝒂𝒏
𝑚⁄ 𝑛
(7.) Fraction Index 𝑎 𝑛 = √𝑎 𝑚