Power, Indices and Surds Notes

Indices
n be positive Integer.
a be real Number
Then, Indices is of the form
=
a base
n index or exponents.

Laws of Indices
1. = +

2. =

3. ( ) = = ( )

4. = . . . . . . . .

5. () =

6. () = , b 0
7. 0 = 1

Surds
If, a rational
n n is a positive Integer

and 1/ = , is irrational number, then is called a Surd of
order n.

Laws of Surds

1. = a

2. =


3. =


4. = =

5. = ()/ = ( )1/

Comparison of Surds

(a) If two Surds are of same order i.e. and , Then the one whose base is larger, is the larger of
two
3 3 3 3
e.g. 19, 21, 6, 26
3 3 3 3
6 < 19 < 21 < 26
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 (b) If two Surds are of distinct order, we change them into the Surds of the same order. This order is
the L.C.M. of the orders of the given Surds.
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e.g. Ques. Which is larger 6 & 4 ?
13 3
Sol. a = 6 = (6)1/2 = (6)23 = (6)6
6 6
= 63 = 216
1 12 2
3
b = 4 = (4)3 = (4)32 = (4)6
6 6
= 42 = 16
a>b
3
i.e. 6 > 4

Some Useful Results

(a) If y = + + + . . . . .
(i) If x = n (n + 1)
Then, y = n + 1
1 + 1 + 4
(ii) y = 2

(b) If y = . . . . .
(i) If x = (n) (n + 1)
Then, y = n
1 + 1 + 4
(ii) y = 2

(c) If y = . . . . .
Then, y = a

e.g. If y = 555 . . . . .
Then y = 5

(d) If y = . . . . .
Then,
2 1
= 2

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