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Understanding Indices and Their Laws

Apr 24, 2025

Form Three Chapter One: Indices

Introduction to Indices

  • Index Notation/Index Form:
    • Base: The number that is multiplied.
    • Index/Exponent: Indicates how many times the base is multiplied.
    • Example: In (5^2), 5 is the base, 2 is the index.

Key Concepts

1. Repeated Multiplication and Index Form:

  • Definition: The value of the index is the number of times the base is multiplied by itself.
  • Examples:
    • (5^2): Base 5 multiplied 2 times.
    • (5^3): Base 5 multiplied 3 times.
    • (0.4^2): Base 0.4 multiplied 2 times.
    • ((\frac{1}{4})^4): Base (\frac{1}{4}) multiplied 4 times.

2. Convert Numbers to Index Form:

  • Method: Repeated multiplication/division to convert.
  • Examples:
    • ((-p)^7): Negative (p) multiplied 7 times.
    • ((1n)^3): 1n multiplied 3 times.

3. Converting to Index Form:

  • Methods:
    • Repeated Division:
      • Example: Convert 16 using base 2 results in (2^4).
    • Repeated Multiplication:
      • Example: Convert (\frac{32}{3125}) to ((\frac{2}{5})^5).

4. Determine the Value of Numbers in Index Form:

  • Methods: Multiplication method or using a calculator.
  • Examples:
    • (2^5) results in 32.
    • ((4/5)^4) results in (\frac{256}{625}).
    • Importance of brackets for negative/fractional bases.

Laws of Indices

1. Multiplication of Same Bases:

  • Law: (a^m \times a^n = a^{m+n})
  • Examples:
    • (2^2 \times 2^3 = 2^5)

2. Division of Same Bases:

  • Law: (a^m / a^n = a^{m-n})
  • Examples:
    • (2^6 / 2^2 = 2^4)

3. Raising a Power to a Power:

  • Law: ((a^m)^n = a^{m \cdot n})
  • Examples:
    • ((3^2)^4 = 3^8)

4. Zero and Negative Indices:

  • Laws:
    • (a^0 = 1)
    • (a^{-n} = \frac{1}{a^n})
  • Examples:
    • (2^0 = 1)
    • (2^{-2} = \frac{1}{2^2})

5. Fractional Indices:

  • Law: (a^{\frac{1}{n}} = \sqrt[n]{a})
  • Examples:
    • (\sqrt{x^2} = x)
    • Cube root of (-27 = (-27)^{1/3})

Practice Problems

  • Exercises to practice applying these concepts.

Note: Importance of understanding the differences in operation when using brackets with negative bases.


For further details and exercises, refer to the video or contact the teacher for questions!