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 On the other hand, if we apply operation rule (2) as above, the
Chapter 12 Indicies quotient is a power of the same base with index of zero after
subtraction. That is, from the division, we get
We have learnt about power of base with positive integral 52 ÷ 52 = 52− 2 = 50
indicies, and understand they obey the following rules of operations:
a 3 ÷ a 3 = a 3−3 = a 0 (a ≠ 0)
(1) a m i a n = a m + n
Here we encounter situation of power with zero index.
(2) a m ÷ a n = a m − n ( a ≠ 0 , m > n ) In order to extend operation rule (2) to apply to cases where the
(3) (a m )n = a mn indices of the dividend and the divisor are equal, we shall define
(4) (ab) n = a n i b n power with zero index to have the following meaning
 a
m
am a0 = 1 ( a ≠ 0 )
(5)   = m ( b ≠ 0 )
b b That is to say, the value of the power of any base with zero
index is equal to 1.
Now, we would like to explore about power of base with zero With the above definition, we can write the division calculation
index and with negative integral indices. as follows:
52 ÷ 52 = 52− 2 = 50 = 1
12.1 Power of Base with Zero Index and with Negative a 3 ÷ a 3 = a 3−3 = a 0 = 1 (a ≠ 0)
Integral Indices Care should be taken that the power of zero (as base) with zero
We know from basic operation rule (2) that for division of index does not have meaning.
powers of the same base, the result is a power of the same base with 2. Power with Negative Integral Indices
index equal to the diffrence of the indices of the two powers:
a m ÷ a n = a m−n . When dividing power with the same base, if the index of the
To avod division by zero, we require a ≠ 0 ; to ensure that the result power of the dividend is less than the index of the power of the
is a power with positive index, we require m > n . However in actual divisor, we can use normal cancellation method to reduce the fraction.
calculation, we may encounter situation that (i) m = n or (ii) For example
m < n . We shall explore these two special situations. 52 52 1
52 ÷ 56 = 6 = 2 4 = 4
5 5 i5 5
1. Power with Zero Index
a3 a3 1
As we know, when both the dividend and the divisor are powers a3 ÷ a5 = 5
= 3 2
= 2 (a ≠ 0)
a a ia a
of the same base and with the same index, the quotient equals 1. For
example, We observe that, when dividing power with the same base, if the
index of the power of the dividend is less than the power of the
52 ÷ 52 = 1
divisor by p, the quotient is a fraction with the numerator equals 1
a 3 ÷ a 3 = 1 (a ≠ 0) and the denominator equals the power of the same base with index p.

- 139 - - 140 -
 On the other hand, if we divide powers following operation rule In this chapter, when the index is zero or negative integers, we
(2) to subtract the indicies, we get can take it for granted that the base is not zero unless it is explicitly
52 ÷ 56 = 52− 6 = 5−4 mentioned.
a 3 ÷ a 5 = a 3−5 = a −2 (a ≠ 0) 【Example 1】Compute
−3
We obtain an answer in the form of a power with the same base but −3 1
10 , (−3) ,   , 50 × (−2) −1 .
−2
with a negatibve integral index. 2
To enable operation rule (2) to apply even though the index of 1 1 1 1
power of the dividend is less thatn the index of power of the divisor, Solution 10 −3 = 3 = ; (−3) −2 = = ;
we define the power of a base with negative index to have the 10 1000 (−3) 2
9
−3
following meaning  1  = 1 = 8; 50 × (−2) −1 = 1×
1 1
=− .
 
1 2 1
3
−2 2
a- p = ( a ≠ 0 , p is a positive integer)  
ap 2
That is to say, any power of a base with a negative index − p 【Example 2】Express the following in decimal:
(where p is a positive integer), the value is equal to the reciprocal of
10−5 , 7 ×10−6 , 3.6 × 10−8 .
power with index p.
1
With this definiation, we can perform the above calculation as Solution 10 −5 = 5 = 0.00001 ;
follows: 10
1
52 ÷ 56 = 52 −6 = 5−4 = 4
1 7 × 10 −6 = 7 × 6 = 7 × 0.000001 = 0.000007 ;
5 10
1
1
a 3 ÷ a 5 = a 3−5 = a −2 = 2 (a ≠ 0) 3.6 × 10 −8 = 3.6 × 8 = 3.6 × 0.00000001 = 0.000000036 .
a 10
Care should be taken that the power of base zero with negative Practice
integral index does not have meaning. 1. (Mental) What is the answer to the following question?
Having defined the meaning of power with indices zero and (1) 3a 2b + 2a 2b ; (2) 3a 2b i 2a 2b ;
negative integral values, we can extend the operation rules for 3
 2b  ;
powers with positive integers to powers with any integers (3) (3ab 2 ) 2 ; (4) − 2 
(including zero and negative integers). For example:  a 
a 3 i a 0 = a 3+ 0 = a 3 (a ≠ 0) (5) 16a 4b 2 ÷ 12a 2b 2 ; (6) ( a 2 b 2 ) 3 ÷ a 2b .
1 2. Compute:
a −3 i a 2 = a −3+ 2 = a −1 = (a ≠ 0) 30 , 3−1 , 10−4 , ( 2)0 , 7 −2 , 1−10 , (−2)−3 ,
a
−4 −3
1
(a −3 )2 = a −3×2 = a −6 = 6 (a ≠ 0)  1  , (−0.1)0 ,  1  .
  − 
a 2  2

- 141 - - 142 -
 Practice a −2b −3 (−3a −1b 2 ) 3
Solution (1) −3 −2
= − a −2 + ( −1) −( −3)b −3+ 2− ( −2)
3. Compute: 6a b 6
(1) (−2)3 − (−1)0 ; (2) 2−2 + (−2) −5 ; 1 0
=− a b
−2 0 −2 2
1 1
(3)   ÷   ;
 1 −1
(4) −  ×2 . 1
2 2  2 =− b
2
4. Express the following in decimal:
(2) ( x + y )( x − y ) = ( x −2 )2 − ( y −2 ) 2 = x −4 − y −4 ;
−2 −2 −2 −2

(1) 2 × 10−5 ; (2) 3.1×10 −7 ;

−8 a −1 + b−1 (a −1 + b −1 )ab b + a
(3) 8.04 ×10 ; (4) 1.205 × 10−2 ; (3) = = = a+b.
(5) 2.12 × 10 ;−3
(6) 2.12 × 10−2 ; a −1 i b −1 (a −1 i b−1 )ab 1
−1
(7) 2.12 × 10 ; (8) 2.12 × 100 . Practice
1. Compute the following and express the result in powers of
【Example 3】Compute (−a) −5 , a −2b −1 (−2a 3 ) , (−5a 3b −1 ) −2 , and positive indicies:
express the result in powers of positive indices. ab
1 1
(1) −2
; (2) pq −1r −1 ;
Solution (−a) −5 = =− 5 ; c
(−a) 5
a a ( a + b ) −1 5−1 xy −2
(3) ; (4) .
a −2b −1 (−2a 3 ) = −2a −2+3b −1 = −2ab −1 = −
2a
; a −2 b 2−3 ab −4
b 2. Express the following in format without any fraction:
(−5a 3b −1 )−2 = (−5)1×( −2) a 3×( −2)b ( −1)×( −2) 1 a2 m2
(1) ; (2) ; (3) .
= (−5) −2 a −6b 2 y5 b3 x5 y
1 1 3. (Mental) If the following equation correct？ If not, how should
= × 6 × b2 it be corrected?
(−5) a
2

(1) (−1)0 = −1 ; (2) (−1)1 = 1 ;

b2
= 1
25a 6 (3) 3a −2 = 2 ; (4) (− x)5 ÷ (− x)3 = − x 2 .
3a
a −2b −3 (−3a −1b 2 ) 4. Compute the following and express all the powers with positive
【Example 4】Compute: (1) ; indicies:
6a −3b −2
(2) ( x −2 + y −2 )( x −2 − y −2 ) ; (1) 3−5 i 36 ; (2) 7 −9 ÷ 7 −10 ; (3) a −3 i a 2 ;
(4) b −4b −2 ; (5) (a −3 ) −2 ; (6) ( x −3 )0 ;
a −1 + b −1 −2
(3) . −2  p
a −1 i b −1 (7) ( xy ) ; (8) q .
 

- 143 - - 144 -
 Practice We can observe from Example 5 that, using scientific notation
5. Compute: to represent a number with absolute value greater than 1 is in the
(1) ( x 4 y −3 ) i ( x −2 y 2 ) ; format ± a × 10n , where n is a non-negative number, and n equals the
(2) 3a −2b −3 ÷ 3−1 a 2b −3 ;
−2 number of digits of the number minus 1.
 3−5 i 32  ( x −1 + y −1 )( x −1 − y −1 )
(3)  −3  ; (4) . 【Example 6】Use scientific notation to represent the following
 3  x −2 y −2
numbers: 0.008, −0.000034 , 0.0000000125
3. Scientific Notation Solution 0.008 = 8 × 0.001 = 8 × 10−3
Division of powers of the same base, if the index of power of −0.000034 = −3.4 × 0.00001 = −3.4 × 10−5
the dividend is less that the index of power of the divisor, we can 0.0000000125 = 1.25 × 0.00000001 = 1.25 × 10−8
simplify the fraction using cancellation. For example, the land area
We observe from Example 6 that, using scientific notation to
of the Earth is 510000000 km2. It can be represented as 5.1× 108
represent a number with absolute value less than 1 is in the format
km2. Now, our knowledge of indicies of powers has extended from
powers with positive integer to powers with any integer, we can ± a × 10n , where n is a negative integer, the absolute value of n
represent any number using power of 10. For example, the thickness equals the number of zeros before the first non-zero digit of the
of a page of a book is 0.000075 m number (the zero in the unit position before the decimal point is
0.000075 = 7.5 × 0.00001 = 7.5 × 10−5 included in the count).
In this manner, we can describe the thickness of a paper as Using scientific notation to represent a number with many digits,
it is more convenient to read, write, compute and store the number.
7.5 × 10−5 m.
This method of representing numbers using powers of 10 is 【Example 7】The mass of the Earth is 5.98 × 1021 T. The mass of
commonly used in science study, therefore we call such Jupiter is is 318 times that of the Earth. Find the mass of Jupiter in T
respresentation Scientific Notation. The format of scientific notation (correct to 2 significant figures)?
is to transform the number to the form ± a × 10n , where n is an Solution 5.98 × 1021 × 318 = 1901.64 × 10 21 ≈ 1.9 ×10 24 .
integer, a is a number greater than 1 and less than 10. Answer: Mass of Jupiter is 1.9 ×10 24 T.
We shall look at two examples below. Practice
【Example 5】Use scientific notation to represent the following
1. Use scientific notation to represent the following numbers:
numbers: 1000000, −30000 , 57000000, −849000 , 21.23, 5.08. 10000, 800000, 56000000, 2030000000, 7400000.
Solution 1000000 = 1× 1000000 = 1× 106 2. What number is represented by the following scientific
−30000 = −3 ×10000 = −3 × 104 notation?
57000000 = 5.7 ×10000000 = 5.7 × 107 1×107 , 4 ×103 , 8.5 × 106 , 7.04 × 105 , 3.96 × 10 4 .
3. Use scientific notation to represent the following numbers:
−847000 = −8.49 ×100000 = −8.49 × 105
(1) 0.00007; (2) 0.0000043;
21.23 = 2.123 × 10 = 2.123 × 101 (3) 0.00000000807; (4) 0.0000006002;
5.08 = 5.08 × 1 = 5.08 × 100 (5) 0.301; (6) −0.004025 .

- 145 - - 146 -
 Practice According to the meaning of surds, we have
4. Use scientific notation to represent the following numbers: (1) ( 5) 2 = 5 , ( 3 −2)3 = −2 ;
(1) 153.7; (2) 347200000 (2) 3
(−2)3 = −2 , 5
25 = 2 ;
(3) 0.0000003142; (4) 0.00000002001
(5) −6 ; (6) 30.5771; (3) 22 = 2 , (−2) 2 =| −2 |= −(−2) = 2 ,
(7) 0.513; (8) 0.002074. 4
(−3)4 =| −3 |= −(−3) = 3 .
5. Write the number represented by the following scientific
notation:
(1) −3.05 × 10−6 ; (3) −3.73 × 10−1 ;
n
(2) 7.03 × 105 ; In general, if the expression a has meaning, then
(4) 2.14 × 106 ; (5) 1× 10−8 ; (6) 1.381× 107 ;
(7) 7 × 101 ; (8) 2.818 × 103 . (1) ( n a ) n = a ;
(2) If n is odd, n
an = a ;
12.2 Power with Fractional Indices  a (a ≥ 0)
(3) If n is even, n
a n =| a |= 
1. Surd −a (a < 0)
We have learnt in earlier chapters about surds of second order
(or quadratic surds) and their characteristics. Now we would like to While the even root of a negative number does not have
explore about surds of general order and their characteristics. meaning, the odd root of a negative number can be found by taking
We know, when n is odd, a number, a (whether positive or the negative sign out of the surd and taking the odd root of the
negative), taken to the nth root is represented by n a ; when n is even, remaining positive base (or radicand). For example 5 −2 = − 5 2 ,
therefore when we explore the characteristics of surds, we need only
a non-negative number a taken to the nth root is represented by n a .
study their arithmetic characteristics. We abide by the rule, that
The expression n a is called a surd, n is the order of the surd, a is unless it is explicitly stated, all the bases inside the surd must be
called the base or radicand. We know, when the order of the surd n positive numbers.
equals 2, it is also called a quadratic surd (here the order of the surd 2 According to surd rule ( n a ) n = a , if a ≥ 0 , we can compute as
can be abbreviated. When n equals 3, 4, 5, …, we called it the cubic follows:
surd, quartic surd, quantic surd, and so on (here the order of the root
cannot be abbreviated). If n is odd, a can be any real number; if n is ( 8 a 6 )8 = a 6
even, a can only be a non-negative number. For example, 5 , 3 −5 , ( 4 a 3 )8 = [( 4 a3 ) 4 ]2 = (a3 )2 = a 6
2 5 Both 8 a 6 and 4 a3 are the 8th rool of a 6 , and the root of the
4 , a , 6 b 2 + 1 , (a − b) 2 are all surds, 5 4 x 2 + y 2 is also a
3 8th order of a 6 should be unique with only one answer. Therefore if
surd. Care should be taken that, in the domain of real numbers, if the a ≥ 0 , we have
base is a negative number, taking root of an even order does not have
meaning.
8
a6 = 4 a3 .

- 147 - - 148 -
 With the same argument, we can deduce the following: Solution 3
−5 = − 3 5 = −12 54 = −12 625 ;
4
3 = 12 33 = 12 27 .
a mp = n a m ( a ≥ 0 )
np

and
【Example 3】Simplify the following surd by offsetting the order of
=a (a ≥ 0 )
p
a mp m root of the surd and the index of the base:
(1) 5
a10 ; (2) 6
(−3) 2 x 4 .
Here m is a positive integer, both n, p are integers greater than 1.
That is to say, when the order of a surd is a non-negative Solution (1) 5
a10 = a 2 ;
number, if the order of the surd and the index of the base are both (2) 6
(−3) 2 x 4 = 6 32 x 4 = 6 (3 x 2 ) 2 = 3 3 x 2 .
multiplied (or divided) by the same positive integer, the value of the
surd remains unchanged. This is the Basic Property of Surd.
【Example 4】Evaluate 6
8 , correct to the nearest 0.001.
Care should be taken to note that, for this Basic Property of
Solution 6
8 = 2 = 2 ≈ 1.414 .
6 3
Surd to be valid, it is required that to satisfy the requirement that the
base a ≥ 0 , otherwise the basic property does not hold. For example,
Practice
6
(−8) 2 = 6 64 = 2 , 3 −8 = −2 , therefore 6 (−8) 2 ≠ 3 −8 .
1. On the assumption that x is a real number, find the condition for
Surds with the same order of root are called surds with root of the following expression to have meaning:
like order; Surds with different orders of roots are called surds with
root of unlike orders. Using the Basic Property of Surd, we can x , − x , 3 x , 3 − x , 4 1 − x , 4 x −1 .
transform surds with root of unlike orders to become surds with root 2. Compute:
of like order. (1) x 2 − 2 x + 1 ( x > 1 ); (2) 4
( x 2 − 2 x + 1) 2 ( x < 1 ).
【Example 1】Transform a , 3 a 2b , 6 a to become surds with 3. Transform the following surds to surds with root of like order:
root of like order.
(1) 5, 4
2; (2) 3
6 y2 , 5 −y ;
Analysis: The orders of roots of the three surds are 2, 3, 6, of which
the least common multiple is 6. Therefore they can be (3) 2mn , 5
−6m 2 n , 10
5m ;
transformed to become surds with root of the 6th order. (4) x+ y , 4
x2 + y2 , 6
( x + y )5 .
Solution a = 6 a3 ; 4. Simplify the following surd by offsetting the order of the root of
3
a 2 b = 6 ( a 2 b) 2 = 6 a 4 b 2 ; the surd with the index of the base:
6
a=6a. (1) 4
x2 ; (2) 3
y9 ; (3) 12
x4 y6 ;
【Example 2】Transform 3
−5 , 4
3 to surds with root of like (4) 6
(−5) 4 a 4b 2 ; (5) 4
16x8 y12 ; (6) 12
a 4 m b8 n .
order.

- 149 - - 150 -
2. Powers with Fractional Indicies m
− (m, n are both positive integers, n > 1 ) equals to the reciprocal
Let us look at the following examples: n
6 m
a6 = a3 = a 2 (a > 0) of the power of the same positive number raised to the index .
n
12
Care should be taken to note that a power of zero raised to
x12 = x 4 = x 3 ( x > 0)
3
positive fractional index equal zero. A power of zero raised to a
That is to say, when the order of root of the surd can be exactly negative fractional index does not ave meaning.
divided by the index of the base, the surd can be simplified to a In this chapter, when the index is a fraction and the base number
power of the base. is not explicitly specified, the base number must be a positive
To facilitate computation，even though the order of root of the number.
surd cannot be exactly divided by the index of the base, we can still After defining power of number with fractional index to have
represent the surd by a power with fractional index. For example meaning, all the operation rules concerning power of number with
2 1 5
integeral index are equally applicable to power of number with
3
a =a ,
2 3
b =b , 2 4
c =c .
5 4
rational index. For example,
We define a power with index of positive fraction as follows: 2
−
1 2  1
+ −  5
a3 i a 4
= a3  4
= a12 .
m
a n = n a m ( a > 0 , m, n are both positive integers, n > 1 ) 【Example 5】Find the value of the following expression:
3
2 1 −
 16  4 −
That is to say, a positive number rasied to the fractional index of 8 , 100 ,   .
3 2
 81 
m
(m, n are both integers, n > 1 ) equals the root of the nth order of 2 2
n Solution 8 = (2 ) = 22 = 4 ;
3 3 3

a base which is the positive integer raised to the mth order. −

1
−
1
1
A positive number raised to a negative integral index takes the 100 2
= (102 ) 2
= 10−1 = ;
10
meaning equal to the reciprocal of the same positive number rasied to −
3
−
3
the corresponding postive integral index. In a like manner, a positive  16  4  24  4 2−3 33 27
  = 4  = = = .
number raised to a negative fractional index takes the meaning equal  81  3  3−3 23 8
to the reciprocal of the same positive number raised to the
corresponding positive index. That means 【Example 6】Simplify the following expression and express the
m
answer in powers with positive integral indices only:
− 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 5
a n
= m
= ( a > 0 , m, n are both positive integers, (1) (2a 3 b 2 )(−6a 2 b 3 ) ÷ (−3a 6 b 6 ) ;
n
a n am
3
 16m −4 
1 3
−
n > 1) 4
(2) ( p q ) ; 8 8
(3) 4
  .
That is to say, the power of a positive number raised to the index  81n 4 

- 151 - - 152 -
 2 1 1 1 1 5 2 1 1 1 1 5
+ − + − 3. Property of Surds
Solution (1) (2a 3 b 2 )(−6a 2 b 3 ) ÷ (−3a 6 b 6 ) = 4a 3 2 6
b2 3 6
When m, n are positive integers, the operation rules of powers
= 4ab 0 with fractional indicies can be formulated as follows
= 4a 1 1 1

1 3 1 3 (1) (ab) = a b n n n
(a ≥ 0, b ≥ 0)
− − p2
(2) ( p 4 q 8 )8 = ( p 4 )8 (q 8 )8 = p 2 q −3 = ; 1 1
q3 a a n n
3 (2)   = 1 (a ≥ 0 , b > 0)
 16m   2 m  −4
2m
3
8 4 −4 4
3 −3 b
(3) = 4 4  = 3 3 = . bn
4
 4 
27m3 n3
 81n   3 n  3n 1 m
(3) (a n ) m = a n (a ≥ 0)
Practice 1 1 1

1. Express the following in power form without any fraction: (4) (a ) = a n m mn

(a ≥ 0)
1 x As powers with fractional indices are related to surds, we can
x , 3 , 4 ( a + b )3 , 3 m 2 + n 2 ,
3 2
.
a 3
y2 re-write the equations in surd form as follows
2. Compute: ( 1′ ) n ab = n a n b (a ≥ 0 , b ≥ 0)
1 a na
1
 81  2
− 2
( 2′ ) n = (a ≥ 0 , b > 0 )
  ;
2 3
(1) 25 ; (2) (3) 27 ; b nb
 25 
1 1
3 ( 3′ ) ( n a ) m = n a m (a ≥ 0 )
−  1 ; 2
6  ( 4′ ) a = mn a (a ≥ 0 )
4 2
(4) 10000 ; (5) 4 ; (6) m n
 4
−1
2
−2
1 From the above equations, we can deduce and formulate
(7) 2 × 64 ; 3
(8) (0.2) × (0.064) . 3
operation rules of surds.
3. Compute: Equation ( 1′ ) means: Root of product of factors equals the
1 1 5 1 5
−
1 1
−
1 product of root of its factors. For example,
(1) a 4 i a8 i a8 ; (2) a3 i a6 ÷ a 2 ; (3) ( x 2 y 3 )6 ; 3
27 × 64 = 3 27 × 3 64 = 3 × 4 = 12 .
Equation ( 2′ ) means: Root of quotient equals root of its
1
−3 − 3
2 1
 − −
1
− 
1
(4) 4a b ÷  − 2 a 3 b 3  ; (5)  8a  .
3 3

 3    numerator divided by root of its denominator. For example,

 27b6 
27 3 27 3
4. (Mental) Is the following equation correct？If not, how can it be 3 = = .
corrected? 64 3 64 4
2 3 2
−
2 Equation ( 3′ ) means: Power of surd equals to the power of the
(1) a3 i a2 = a ; (2) x3 i x 3
= 0; base number under the root sign of the surd. For example,
( 3 5) 2 = 3 52 = 3 25 .
2 1 1
−
(3) a 3 ÷ a 3 = a2 ; (4) (a 2 ) 2 = a .

- 153 - - 154 -
 Equation ( 4′ ) means: Root of surd equals to the product of the First, the index of each factor inside the surd is less than the
root and the order of the surd, with the base number under the surd order of the surd;
unchanged. For example, Second, the base inside the surd does not contain denominator;
Third, the index of the base inside the surd is relatively prime to
2 =62, 3 32 =92.
3
the order of the root.
Looking at equation ( 1′ ) and equation ( 2′ ) in reverse, we
An expression which fulfills the above three rules is called the
observe that when multiplying (or dividing) two roots of the same
order, we just take the product (or quotient) of the base numbers simplest surd. For example, a 3 a 2b is a simplest surd, 3
a 4b ,
while keeping the order of the root unchanged. For example, b
5 a 4 a 2b 2 and a 5 are not simplest surds. When expressing an
5 3 4 i 2 3 2 = 10 3 8 = 20 , 5 3 4 ÷ 2 3 2 = 3 2 . a3
2 answer involving a surd, care should be taken to express the surd in
When multiplying (or dividing) two surds with different orders the simplest surd form.
together, we can transform the surds to the same order, and then take
the product (or quotient) of the base unmbers accordingly. For When surds are expressed in their simplest form, if the bases are
example, the same, the root orders are the same, they are called like surds. For
3 i 3 2 = 6 27 i 6 4 = 6 108 example,
1 1× 3 1
3 ÷ 3 3 = 6 27 ÷ 6 9 = 6 3 12 = 22 × 3 = 2 3 , 6 27 = 6 33 = 3 , = = 3,
3 3× 3 3
Using the above rules, we can operate mulitiplication, division,
power or taking root of surds without problem. 1
Therefore 12 , 6 27 , are like surds. 3 x , x are not like
According to equation ( 1′ ), we can move factors from inside the 3
surd to the outside, or move factors from outside the root to the surds, and 4 3 a 2 , 4 3 a are also not like surds.
inside. For example,
a 2b = a 2 i b = a b Addition and subtraction of surds is to group and combine
various like surds. For example,
3
a 6b 5 = 3 a 6 i b 3 i b 2 = 3 a 6 i 3 b 3 i 3 b 2 = a 2 b 3 b 2 a n x + b m y − c n x + d m y = (a − c) n x + (b + d ) m y .
x 3 y 2 = 3 x3 i 3 y 2 = 3 x3 y 2
x3 y = x 6 i y = x 6 y ( x > 0) Practice
According to equation ( 2′ ), we can rationalize the surd in the 1. Compute:
denominator. For example, (1) a 2b 4 ; (2) 121× 64 × 256 ;
2 2 1
3 =3 3 = 32 (3) 3
a9b3t 12 ; (4) 3
−343 × 512 × 729 ;
27 3 3
4 n
(5) 16a8b12 ; (6) a 2 n b n c 3n .
3 3 3× 2 1 3
3 = = 6
4 22 × 2 2
- 155 - - 156 -
 Practice Practice
2. Reduce the following fraction: 8. Compute:
2
(1)
2
; (2)
n
; (3) 3
2
; (1) 8 + 3 54 − 6 3 + 3 18 ;
81 49m 4 27 27
27a b2 x
a5 8 x3 y 6 a nb2 n (2) 7b 3 a + 5 a 2 x − b 2 3 − 6 .
(4) 4 ; (5) 3 ; (6) n . b3 9
16b 4 27a 6b9 c 3n d n
3. Compute: 【Example 7】Compute the following using power with fractional
indices:
(1) ( 3 a 2b ) 2 ; (2) (3 5 a 4b3 )2 ;
 x y a 2 i 5 a3
(3) (m 4 mn 2 )3 ; (4) − . (1) ; (2) ( 3 5 − 125) ÷ 4 5 ;
 y x ai a10 7

4. Compute:
3 4 2 3 3 n
(3) 3
xy 2 ( xy )3 .
(1) a b ; (2) 2 7 ; (3) a a ; (4) 2 2.
3
5. Reduce the number under the root sign by extracting as many 2
a i a 5 3 2
a ia 5

factors as possible outside of the root sign: Solution (1) = 1 7

10 7
ai a 2
a ia 10
1
(1) 8a 3 ; (2) 16t 5 ; (3) 64 p 3 q 7 ; 3 1 7
2 2+ − −

13 =a 5 2 10

(4) 3 2t 4 ; (5) 3 27a 5 ; (6) 27 a 4b5 . 7

3 = a5
(7) n
a 2 nb n + 2 ; (8) 4
x 5 − x 4 y ( x > y ).
= 5 a7
6. Rationalize the denominator of the following surd:
2 2 3
= a 5 a2
n b ax 1n 1 1 3 1
(1) ; (2) 3 2 ; (3) 3 (4) .
8m 9a 27m 2 n3 x a n−2 (2) ( 5 − 125) ÷ 5 = (5 − 5 ) ÷ 5
3 4 3 2 4

1 1 3 1
7. Simplify the following surd: − −
= 53 4
− 52 4

16c3 3 1 5
(1) ; (2) 54a 4b7 ; = 512 − 5 4
9 a 5b
3y 1 1 = 12 5 − 4 55
(3) x2 3 2 ; (4) n4 + .
2x n4 n2 = 12 5 − 5 4 5

- 157 - - 158 -
 1 1 2. Rewrite the following expression to remove powers with
xy 2 ( xy )3 = xy 2 ( x 2 y 2 )3
3 3
(3) non-positive indices:
−2
5 7 1
2 −1 3 st −2 r 2−2 m −2 n −3  x+ y 
= (x 2 y 2 )3 (1) a b c ; (2) −1 ; (3) −1 −3 3 −2 ; (4)  
5 7
u v 3 m nx  2x − y 
= x6 y6 3. Rewrite the following expression to remove all denominators:
= x i x
6 5 6 7 u+v 2x − y
(1) ; (2) .
4
u v ( x − y )( x + y ) 2
= y 6 x5 y
4. Compute:
Except for special situations, it is usually simpler to perform (1) (9a 2b −2 c −4 ) −1 ; (2) 5a −2b −3 ÷ 5−1 a 2b −1 × 5−2 ab 4 c ;
multiplication, division, power and root taking operations using a −3 + b −3 a −2 − b −2
power with fractional indicies. (3) ; (4) ;
a −1 + b −1 a −2 + b −2
Practice (5) (a −1 + b −1 )(a + b)−1 ; (6) ( x + x −1 )( x − x −1 ) .
Compute:
5. Rewrite the following using scientific notation:
4 8 3i39 32000, 3200000, 3200000000, 0.000032, 0.0000032,
(1) 2i 2 i 2 i 2; (2) 6
;
3 0.000000032, 483, 48.3, 4.83, 0.483, 0.0483, 0.00483.
3y 3x 2 x i 3 x2 6. “Si” is a unit of length used in manufacturing. 1 Si = 0.001 cm.
(3) i ; (4) ; The diameter of man’s hair is about 7 Si. What is the equivalent
x y xi 6 x
length in cm? What is the equivalent length in m? Express answer
3
(5) 3
4; (6) a 4 a3 ; in scientific notation.
2 3 7. The surface area of the Earth is approximately 149000000 km2.
−3a 3 b 4 c 2 1 3 1 1 1
Express it in scientific notation.
(7) 1 1 3
; (8) (x3 y 4 − x 2 )x2 y 4 .
3
9a b c 2 2 8. The radius of a germ is 4 × 10−5 m. Express it in decimal format
(Unit is m).
9. One atom of Oxygen weighs 2.657 × 10−23 g, and one atom of
Exercise 10
Hydrogen weighs 1.67 × 10−24 g. Find the relative weight of one
1. Compute: atom of Oxygen to that of Hydrogen (correct to 2 significant
2 0 −2 −3 3
1 1  1
(1)   +   +  −  ;
 1  1
(2) (−3) + (−3) +  −  −  − 
3 −3 figures)?
2 2  2  3  3 10. Find the value of x in the following equation:
−3 2 −2 3 0 −3 1
 1 1
(3)   ×  −  ×   ;
1  b   2b 2   b 
(4)  2  ÷  (1) 8 = 2 x ; (2) = 2 x ; (3) 1 = 10 x ; (4) 0.1 = 10 x ;
 × −  . 8
 2  3 3  2a   3a   a 

- 159 - - 160 -
 (5) 3.4 = 3.4 × 10 x ; (6) 3400 = 3.4 × 10 x ; Chapter Summary
(7) 0.034 = 3.4 × 10 x ; (8) 1 = 0.1x ; I. The theme of this chapter is the concept and characteristics
1 of power with zero index, negative integral index and fractional
(9) = 2x ; (10) 10 = 0.1x .
64 index
11. Write the following expression in surd form: II. Definintion of power with zero index, negative integral
−
1 index and fractional index are as follows:
1 2 1 1
(1) 4 ; 3
(2) y ;
−
3
(3) a b ; 2
−
2
(4)
x 4
. a0 = 1 (a ≠ 0)
1
−
1
a − m = m (a ≠ 0 , m is positive integer)
4
y
12. Compute: a
m
1 1 1 2 1 2
4
−
(1) (−2 x y )(3x y )(−4 x y ) ;3
−
2 3 4 3 a n = n am (a ≥ 0 , m , n are both positive integers, n > 1)
m
1 1
−
1
−
1
−
2 − 1 1
(2) 4 (−3x y ) ÷ (−6 x y ) ;
4 4 3 2 3 a n
= m
= (a > 0 , m, n are both positive integers, n > 1)
n
1 1 3 a n am
− 3
−
−15a b c 2 3 4
 16s 2t −6  2 In this manner, we have extended the concept of power with
(3) 2
; (4)   .
−
1
−
5
 25r 4  positive integral index to power with rational index. All operation
2 3 4
25a b c rules which apply to power with positive integral indices are also
13. Compute: applicable to power with rational indices. Further
1
−  − 
1 1 1 1
1 3 − − am
(1) 2 x 3  1 x 3 − 2 x 2  ; (2) (2 x 2 + 3 y 4 )(2 x 2 − 3 y 4 ) . n
= a m i a − n = a m+( − n) (a > 0)
2  a
n
14. Compute: a −1 n −n
  = (a i b ) = a i b ( a > 0 ， b > 0)
n

 27 p −6 
−2 b
4 2 2
(1) 49x y ; (2) 3  2 −4  ; Therefore, regarding powers with rational indices, both the
 pq  n
am a an
operations of n = a m − n and of   = n can be represented
x y a b b
(3) 5 4 ; (4) x −3 y 2 3 xy 2 ;
m+ n
y x by the operation rule of a i a = a
m n
and of (a i b)n = a n i b n .
(5) ( a i 3 b 2 ) −3 ÷ b −4 a −1 ; (6) ( 3 − 4 243) ÷ 2 3 3 . While there are 5 operation rules for powers with positive integral
indices, there are only 3 operation rules for powers with rational
15. Solve the following equation: indices. They are as follows:
(1) x − 4 x + 3 = 0 ; (2) 3
x + 3 x2 = 2 ; a m i a n = a m + n (a > 0 , m, n are both ratioanl numbers)
(3) x − 3 4 x + 2 = 0 . (a m ) n = a mn (a > 0 , m , n are both ratioanl numbers)
(ab) n = a nb n (a > 0 , b > 0 , n is a ratioanl number)

- 161 - - 162 -
 Although it is beond the scope of this book, we can briefly Revision Exercise 12
mention without detailed elaboration that the definition of power
with rational indices can be extended to power with irrational 1. Compute:
indices, and further to power with real number indicies. The (1) 72 ; (2) (−7) 2 ; (3) ( x − y )2 ( x > y );
operation rules for power with rational indicies are also applicable 2
to power with real number indices.  2 
(4)   ; (5) 0.492 ; (6) a 2 − 14a + 49 ( x < 7 )
III. Representing a number in Scientific notation is to  15 
transform the number into the product of two parts: (i) the first part is 2. Compute:
a number with absolute value lying between 1 and 10 (can be 1) (ii)
the second part is a power of 10. That means writing it in the (1) 529 × 289 ; (2) 68.89 × 0.0009 ; (3) 652 − 162 ;
form ± a × 10n , where n is an integer, a is larger or equal to 1 and less 625 0.49 × 121
(4) 0.17 2 − 0.082 ; (5) ; (6) ;
than 10. 1089 361× 0.81
IV. Power with fractional indices is related to surds. Surds 1.21 2.25 x 6
possess the following characteristics: (7) × 49 ; (8) ( x > 0 , y < 0 ).
4.41 0.25 y 2
( n a )n = a ;
3. Compute:
When n is an odd number, n
a =a;
n
(1) 3 a + 5 b3 + 6 a5 − 2 b ;
a (a ≥ 0)
When n is an even number, n
a n =| a |=  x
−a (a < 0) (2) 27 x + − 0.03x ;
3
a mp = n a m ( a ≥ 0 ) (The basic property of surds);
np
b 1
(3) a + b ab − b ;
n
ab = n a i n b ( a ≥ 0 , b ≥ 0 ); a ab
a na x y 1 1
n = ( a ≥ 0 , b > 0 ); (4) + − xy + y −x .
b nb y x xy xy
( n a )m = n a m ( a ≥ 0 ); 4. Compute:
m n
a = mn a ( a ≥ 0 ).  b 27a a 
(1)  3ab + − +  i 3ab ;
Addition and subtraction of surds would follow the algebraic  3a b 3b 
operation rule of grouping like and unlike surds.。Multiplication, (2) (3 x − 5)( 5 + 3 x ) ;
division, power and taking roots of surds would be operated by (3) (m − n )( n + m) ;
following the operation rules of powers with fractional indices.
(4) ( x + y )( x + y − xy ) ;
(5) ( a + b − c )( a − b + c )

- 163 - - 164 -
5. Rationalize the denominator of the following fraction: 12. Simplify the following expression to an expression with a single
3 a a −b root sign:
(1) ; (2) ; (3) ;
8 27a a+ b (1) x −3 y 2 ( 3 xy 2 ) ( y ≥ 0 );
ab b −a 1 − xy (2) 3
−2 2 .
(4) ; (5) ; (6) ;
a b +b a a+ b x+x y
13. Simplify the following expression:
x −1 1 − xy 1 1 1 1
(7) ; (8) .
xy + y a2 − b2 a2 + b2 (a + b) −1 − (a − b) −1
1
+
1 (1) + ; (2) ;
1 1 1 1
(a + b) −1 + (a − b)−1
x y a2 + b2 a2 − b2
6. Find the value of x in the following equation: a −2 − b −2 1 1
2 2
 s −s   s −s 
(1) 35.23 = 3.523 × 10 x ; (2) 3.523 × 10 x = 0.003523 ; (3) −1 −1 + − ; (4)  e + e  −  e − e 
a +b b a  2   2 
(3) 3.523 × 10 x = 35230000 ; (4) 3.523 × 10 x = 3.523 . −2 −2
(5) (a − 2 + a ) ÷ (a − a ) .
2 2

7. The speed of light is 3 × 105 km per second. The distance between

14. Compute:
the Sun and the Earth is 1.5 × 108 km. Find the time for light to 1
2 −2 1 −

(1) 125 +   + 3433 −   ;

travel from the Sun to the Earh. (correct to one significant digit). 1 3 1 3
8. There are 6.02 × 1023 molecules in 18.00 g of water. Find the 2  27 
1 2
weight of one molecule of water, with answer expressed in − 1
(2)   + (−5.6)0 −  2  + 0.125 3 ;
4 2 10 3 −
scientific notation (correct to 2 significant figures).
9  27 
9. Find the conditions for which the following expression has a −2 −3 −1
meaning? : (a b )(−4a b)
(3) ;
1 12a −4b −2 c
(1) x ; (2) 4 x − 1 ; (3) ; (4) 3 − x 1 −3
x 2 2 2 −2 
(4) (a b) × (ab ) ÷  2  .
b 
10. Compute: a 
(1) ( 3 −3.8)3 ; (2) 3
−27 ; 15. Find the value of x for the following equation:
32 (1) 5 x = 125 ; (2) 4 x = 1 ;
(3) 5 ; (4) 6
(−5)6 ; 1
243 (3) 7 x = 3 7 ; (4) = 2 x ;
8
(5) 4
(1 − a ) 4 ( a > 1 ); (6) 8
(m − n)8 ( m < n ). 1
(5) 3 = 3x ; (6) 3 = 10 x .
11. Find the value of a + 6 (a − 1)6 according to the following 10
condition: ( This chapter is translated to English and reviewed by courtesy of
(1) a ≥ 1 ; (2) a < 1 . Mr. SIN Wing Sang, Edward.)

- 165 - - 166 -