Title Laws of Indices – Evaluation of Algebraic Expressions Containing Powers and
Simplification of Expressions)
Author Lim Wang Sheng, School of Information Technology, Nanyang Polytechnic
[CCA: NYP Mentoring Club]
Date 25/12/2018
Objective of document
• Explanation of Various Laws of Indices (That some school teachers miss out)
• Demonstration on questions which involves complicated expression involving
powers, fraction inside fraction, negative powers and multiple brackets in a single
expression.
Basic Laws of Indices Demonstration of Concept Using Numbers
𝑎𝑚 (𝑎𝑛 ) = 𝑎𝑚+𝑚 22 × 2 3 = (2 × 2) × (2 × 2 × 2) = 25
𝑎𝑚 23 2 × 2 × 2
= 𝑎𝑚−𝑛 = = 23−1 = 22
𝑎𝑛 21 2
(𝑎𝑚 )𝑛 = (𝑎)𝑚𝑛 (22 )3 = (2 × 2)3
= (2 × 2) × (2 × 2) × (2 × 2) = 22(3) = 26
1 Using the previously mentioned law of indices,
𝑎−𝑛 = 𝑛 22
𝑎 we can write an expression: 4
(Note: denominator must not equal 2
22 2×2 2−4 −2 1
zero as division by zero is undefined) 24 = 2×2×2×2 = 2 =2 = 2
2
𝑎0 = 1 Using the previously mentioned law of indices,
(Note 𝑎 ≠ 0, as 00 is undefined) we can write an expression
23 2×2×2
3
= = 23−3 = 20 = 1
2 2×2×2
𝑎 𝑚 𝑎𝑚 2 3 2 2 2 23
( ) = 𝑚 ( ) = × × = 3
𝑏 𝑏 3 3 3 3 3
(Note 𝑏 ≠ 0, as division by zero is
undefined)
𝑚 𝑛
𝑎 𝑛 = √𝑎𝑚 Using the previously mentioned law of indices,
we can write the following:
24 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2
4 4
22 = √2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = √24 = 22 = 22
(𝑎𝑏)𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛 (𝑏𝑛 )
Derived Law of Indices Simplest Proof of Concept
𝑎𝑚 −1 𝑎𝑛 1 −1 1 5
( 𝑛
) = ( ) = 1 = =5
𝑎 𝑎𝑚 5 ( ) 1
5
𝑎𝑚 −𝑥 𝑎𝑛 𝑥
( 𝑛 ) = ( 𝑚)
𝑎 𝑎
Tips to do complicated indices question (with nested fractions, powers and negative
powers all in the same question.)
Read question (Examine the details closely)
Take note of any “out of the ordinary” situation (Example can include zero
powers, that makes solving a seamlessly complicated question easier)
Take note of any negative powers.
Take note of any roots.
Write the expression in fully index notation
Solve the question from inner brackets to outer bracket
Check your answers
I will demonstrate some questions and explain how the tips can be applied.
(Questions all taken from CASCO Mathematics Assessment Book 4B)
Example 1:
3
Simplify (4𝑥 2 )2
3
(4𝑥 2 )2 (Things to take note highlighted)
3 3
Apply the following laws of indices
= 42 𝑥 2(2) 𝑚
𝑛
𝑎 𝑛 = √𝑎 𝑚
(𝑎𝑏)𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛 𝑏𝑛
= 8𝑥 3 (Final Answers)
Example 2:
1 −4
Evaluate ( ) × 80
2
1 −4 Things to take note (Zero Power and
( ) × 80 Negative Powers)
2
2 4 Apply the following law of indices
=( ) ×1
1 𝑎0 =1
𝑎 𝑚 𝑎𝑚
( ) = 𝑚
𝑏 𝑏
= 16
Example 3:
3
(𝑥 2 ) × √𝑥
Given that 3 = 𝑥 𝑛 . Calculate the value of 𝑛.
√𝑥
1
(𝑥 2 )3 × 𝑥 2 Convert values all to index notation
𝑛
1 =𝑥
𝑥3
1
Apply the following law of indices
(𝑥 6 × 𝑥 2 )
1 =𝑥 𝑛 (𝑎𝑚 )𝑛 = 𝑎𝑚𝑛
𝑥3
𝑎 𝑚 𝑎𝑚
1 ( ) = 𝑚
𝑥 6+2 𝑛
𝑏 𝑏
1 = 𝑥
𝑥3
1 1 1
Apply the following law of indices
𝑥 62−3 = 𝑥 66 = 𝑥𝑛
𝑎𝑚
𝑛
= 𝑎𝑚−𝑛
𝑎
