Indices

Indices is plural for index. An index also called exponent is a

number expressed like below;

𝑝𝑞

Base Index
P and q are just letters representing numbers, in short 𝑝𝑞 could
be 23 . The Two parts of such numbers are the base and the
index or power as shown above.
We are going to study how to have fun with such numbers.
They are laws that govern how to quickly work with indices and
they are discussed as below;

1. Multiplication Law

𝑝𝑞 x𝑝 𝑠 =𝑝(𝑞+𝑠)

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When two indices are multiplying and if the bases are same,
then the answer will have the common base and its power is
given by adding the powers of the two indices.
Example
1. Simplify the following
a. 23 𝑋24
b. 31 𝑋32
c. 1001 𝑋100−2
d. (−2)3 𝑋(−2)4

2. Evaluate 31 𝑋32

Solution
1. Simplify means make them look simple.
a. 23 𝑋24 =2(3+4) = 27
b. 31 𝑋32 =3(1+2) = 33
c. 1001 𝑋100−2 = 100(1+(−2)) =100(1−2) = 100−1
d. (−2)3 𝑋(−2)4 = (−2)(3+4) = (−2)7

2.
Remember; Evaluate means find the value (value is a number
like 10,15 , -4…)

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 31 𝑋32 =3(1+2) = 33 =3x3x3=27

2. Repeated Multiplication of powers Law

(𝑝𝑞 )𝑠 =𝑝𝑞𝑥𝑠

When two powers of the same base are multiplying as above,

then the answer will have the same base and its power is given
by multiplying the powers of the two indices.
Example
3. Simplify the following
a. (22 )3
b. (82 )4
c. (10−2 )−4

Solution
Simplify means make them look simple.
𝑎. (22 )3 = 22𝑥3 =26
𝑏. (82 )4 = 82𝑥4 = 88
𝑐. (10−2 )−4 =10−2𝑥−4 = 10−8

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 3. Division Law

𝑝𝑞 ÷ 𝑝 𝑠 =𝑝(𝑞−𝑠)

When two indices are dividing and if the bases are same, then
the answer will have the common base and its power is given
by subtracting the powers of the two indices.
Example
1. Simplify the following
a. 23 ÷ 24
b. 32 ÷ 31
c. 1001 ÷ 100−2
d. (−2)3 ÷ (−2)4

2. Evaluate 32 ÷ 31

Solution
Simplify means make them look simple.
e. 23 ÷ 24 =2(3−4) = 2−1
f. 32 ÷ 31 =3(2−1) = 31
g. 1001 ÷ 100−2 = 100(1−(−2)) =100(1+2) = 1003

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 h. (−2)3 ÷ (−2)4 = (−2)(3−4) = (−2)−1

3. 32 ÷ 31 =3(2−1) = 32 =3x3= 9

4. Zero Index Law

𝑝0 =1
Any number to the power 0 is equal to 1.
Example
Evaluate the following
a. 20
b. 10000
c.100000000000

Solution
a. 20 =1
b. 10000 =1
c.100000000000 =1

5. Negative Power Law

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 1
𝑝−𝑞 =𝑝𝑞

If a number has a negative power, then it is equal to 1 over the

same number but the negative changes sign to positive.
Example
Evaluate the following
a. 2−3
b. 3−5
c.10−8

Solution
1
a. 2−3 =23
1
b. 3−5 =35
1
c.10−8 = 108

6. Fractional Power Law

𝑞
𝑠
𝑝 =( √
𝑠 𝑝)𝑞
If a number has a fractional power, then the above holds. The
best way to see the meaning is through

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Example
Evaluate the following

3
a. 25 2
3
b. 9 2
4
−
3. Simplify 10 7

Solution
3
2
a. 25 =(√25)3
2
2
√25 is the number which if multiplied by itself 2 times
gives 25(square root of 25) and its 5
3
2
25 =(√25)3 =53 =5x5x5=125
2

3
2
b. 9 =( √9)3
2
2
√9 is the number which if multiplied by itself 2 times gives
9(square root of 9) and its 3
3
2
9 =( √9)3 =33 =3x3x3=27
2

4
−
2. 10 this has negative power and fractional power. We
7

start with negative power first

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 4
− 1 1
10 = 7 4 = 7
107 ( √10)4

7
√10 can only be solved with a calculator if the question had
requested us to evaluate. Since its simplifying, we end here.

7. Distribution of Powers
(𝑝𝑞 𝑥𝑉 𝑠 )𝑡 =𝑝𝑞𝑥𝑡 𝑥𝑉 𝑠𝑥𝑡
If two indices having different bases and powers are multiplying
as in the above and then they are in the brackets and outside
the brackets there is a power also. The power can be multiplied
with each of the powers inside.

Example
Simplify
(23 𝑥58 )2

Solution
(23 𝑥58 )2 = 23𝑥2 𝑥58𝑥2 = 26 𝑥516

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