Book 2B Chapter 8

(page 8.4 - 8.10)

Laws of Positive Integral Indices

Let’s recall the laws of indices for
am × an and am ÷ an.
If both m and n are positive integers, then
Law
(1)

For example,

∵ x13 and x24 have the

same base x.
∴ We can apply the law:
am × an = am + n
If a ≠ 0 and both m and n are positive integers, then

(1)

(2)
Law
(2)
For example,
∵ x23 and x15 have the
same base x.
∴ We can apply the law:
am ÷ an = am – n
If a ≠ 0 and both m and n are positive integers, then

(1)

(2)
Law
(2)
For example,
∵ y 9 and y 22 have the
same base y.
∴ We can apply the law:
m n 1
a ÷ a = n–m
a
Law of Indices for (am)n

Can you evaluate the following

expressions?

(i) (ii)
Law of Indices for (am)n

Observe the indices in each

case. You may notice the
pattern in the results.

2 3 5 4
(i) (ii)

2×3 5×4
Law of Indices for (am)n

From these results, can you

deduce the law of indices for
(am)n ?

2 3 5 4
(i) (ii)

2×3 5×4
Law of Indices for (am)n

From these results, can you

deduce the law of indices for
(am)n ?

If both m and n are positive integers, then

n times of am

m n

n times of m

m ×n
If both m and n are positive integers, then
Law
(3)

For example,
 Let’s see the following examples.

(a) Law (1): am × an = am + n

Law (3): (am)n = am × n

 Let’s see the following examples.

(b) Law (2): am ÷ an = am – n

when m > n

Law (3): (am)n = am × n

Follow-up question
Simplify the following expressions.
(a)
(b)
Solution
(a) Law (1): am × an = am + n

Law (3): (am)n = am × n

Follow-up question
Simplify the following expressions.
(a)
(b)
Solution
(b) Law (3): (am)n = am × n

1
Law (2): am ÷ an = when n > m
an – m
Laws of Indices for (ab)n and

Can you evaluate the following

expressions?

4
(i) (ii) 3

4 4 3 3
Laws of Indices for (ab)n and

From these results, can you deduce

the law of indices for (ab)n ?

4
(i) (ii) 3

4 4 3 3
Laws of Indices for (ab)n and

If n is a positive integer, then

n times of ab
n

n times of a n times of b

n n
Laws of Indices for (ab)n and

Can you evaluate the following

expressions?

4 3
(i) (ii)

4 3

4 3
Laws of Indices for (ab)n and

From these results, can you deduce

the law of indices for ?

4 3
(i) (ii)

4 3

4 3
Laws of Indices for (ab)n and

If n is a positive integer, then

a
n times of
b
n
, where b ≠ 0
n times of a

n times of b
n

n
If n is a positive integer, then

(1)

(2)
Law
(4)
For example,
 Let’s see the following examples.

(a) Law (4): (ab)n = anbn

Law (3): (am)n = am × n

 Let’s see the following examples.

n
a an
(b) Law (4): (
b = bn
)
Law (3): (am)n = am × n
 Let’s see the following examples.

(c) Law (4): (ab)n = anbn

n n
a a
and (
b = bn
)
Follow-up question
Simplify the following expressions.
(a) (b) (c) (d)

Solution
(a)
Follow-up question
Simplify the following expressions.
(a) (b) (c) (d)

Solution
(b) Note that
(–1)n = –1 when n is an odd
(–1)6 = 1 number;
(–1)n = 1 when n is an even
number.
Follow-up question
Simplify the following expressions.
(a) (b) (c) (d)

Solution

(c)
Follow-up question
Simplify the following expressions.
(a) (b) (c) (d)

Solution

(d)