TOPIC 1: INDICES
SECTION A: Concept Explanation
Week 1: 1st period
Definition and basic concept (5 minutes)
An index (plural: indices) or exponent refers to the number of times a number, known as the base, is multiplied
by itself. It is written as a small number to the top-right of the base. For example, in the expression 23 , the index
is 3 and the base is 2. The index 3 tells us the number of times, the base (i.e., 2) is multiplied by itself and so
23 = 2 × 2 × 2.
In general, for any expression xn : x is called the base, n is called the exponent or index and xn means x multiplied
itself n times.
Laws of Indices (5 minutes)
These are rules that are used to simplify expressions involving powers.
Law 1: Multiplication law
When multiplying terms with the same base, you take the common base and add the exponents.
xm × xn = xm+n
Solved Examples
Simplify the following:
1. 32 × 35 2. r × r3 × r−2 3. 4x2 × 3x6 4. 5a4 b3 × 2a2 b5
Solution
1. 32 × 35 = 32+5 = 37
2. r × r3 × r−2 = r1+3+(−2) = r1+3−2 = r2
3. 4x2 × 3x6 = (4 × 3)x2+6 = 12x8
4. 5a4 b3 × 2a2 b5 = (5 × 2)a4+2 b3+5 = 10a6 b8
Law 2: Division law (5 minutes)
When dividing terms with the same base, you take the common base and subtract the exponents.
xm ÷ xn = xm−n
Solved Examples
Simplify the following:
1. 105 ÷ 103 2. 22n7 ÷ 11n4 3. 56x2 y 5 ÷ 4xy 3
Solution
1. 105 ÷ 103 = 105−3 = 102
22 7−4
2. 22n7 ÷ 11n4 = n = 2n3
11
56 2−1 5−3
3. 56x2 y 5 ÷ 4xy 3 = x y = 14xy 2
4
Law 3: Power of a power law (5 minutes)
When raising a power to another power, you leave the base as it is and multiply the exponents.
(xm )n = xm×n
x n xn
Note: (xy)n = xn y n and =
y yn
1
Solved Examples
Simplify the following:
3 2
1. (h3 )5 2. (3m2 )4 3. 3x2 × (4x)3 4.
5
Solution
1. (h3 )5 = h3×5 = h15
2. (3m2 )4 = 34 (m2 )4 = 81m2×4 = 81m8
3. 3x2 × (4x)3 = 3x2 × 64x3 = (3 × 64)x2+3 = 192x5
3 2 32 9
4. = 2 =
5 5 25
Law 4: Zero index law (5 minutes)
Any non-zero number raised to the power of zero is 1.
x0 = 1 (where x ̸= 0)
Solved Examples
Simplify the following:
1. 60 2. (−10)0 3. 3m × 3−m
Solution
1. 60 = 1
2. (−10)0 = 1
3. 3m × 3−m = 3m+(−m) = 3m−m = 30 = 1
Law 5: Negative index law (5 minutes)
When simplifying a number raised to a power of negative number, you take the reciprocal of the base (flip it) and
make the exponent positive.
1 1 n
x−n = n or xn =
x n
x −n y n
Note: In general =
y x
Solved Examples
Simplify the following:
1 −1 2 −3
1. 5−2 2. 27y −4 3. 4.
3 5
Solution
1 1
1. 5−2 = =
52 25
1 27
2. 27y −4 = 27 × 4 = 4
y y
1 −1 3 1
3. = = 31 = 3
3 1
2 −3 5 3 53 125
4. = = 3 =
5 2 2 8
Law 6: Fractional index law (5 minutes)
A fractional exponent represents a combination of a power and a root.
– The denominator of the fraction tells you the root.
– The numerator tells you the power.
m √
n m √ m
xn = xm or x n = n
x
Solved Examples
2
Simplify the following:
1 1 2
16 − 43
1. 16 2 2. 27 3 3. 64 3 4.
81
Solution
1 √ 1
1. 16 2 = 16 = 41 = 4
1 √ 1
= 31 = 3
3
2. 27 3 = 27
2 √ 2
= 42 = 16
3
3. 64 3 = 64
r !3
16 − 34 81 34
4 81 3 3 33 27
4. = = = = 3 =
81 16 16 2 2 8
Recap: (5 minutes)
SECTION B: Problem-Solving Area
Week 1: 2nd & 3rd period
1. Simplify 56x−4 ÷ 14x−8 [WAEC 1996]
(A) 2x−12 (B) 3x−3 (C) 4x−4 (D) 4x−3 (E) 4x5
Solution
1 1 2
2. Evaluate: 64 2 + 125 3 [WAEC 2018]
(A) 121 (B) 144 (C) 169 (D) 196
Solution
√
3
3. Simplify 41.5
Solution
27 1 −1
4. What is the product of , (3)−3 and ? [JAMB 2020, WAEC 1991]
5 5
1
(A) 5 (B) 3 (C) 1 (D)
25
Solution
3
5. Evaluate: 160.16 × 160.04 × 20.2 [JAMB 2023]
1
(A) 2 (B) 0 (C) 20 (D)
2
Solution
3 1 2
6. Simplify 81− 4 × 25 2 × 243 5 [JAMB 2019]
2 3 5 5
(A) (B) (C) (D)
5 5 2 3
Solution
h 16 − 32 3
i 21
7. Simplify: × 16− 4 [JAMB 2019]
9
3 9 3 1
(A) (B) (C) (D)
4 16 8 4
Solution
8.
