Indices

Indices is the mathematical term for “power”

power
Indices is the plural term for the singular term ‘Index’
They can be numbers or letters and float happily in the air next to a base number or letter

4
5
The index or power

The base

Indices (powers) only

Do not multiply the
apply to the
base with the power
number/letter (base)
A BIG No No No!
to the left of it
 Introduction

2
What does 4 actually mean?

4×4 16
 Introduction

5
What does 4 actually mean?

4×4×4×4×4
 Introduction

How can we write 5×5×5×5

4
5
This is 5×5×5×5 written in INDEX FORM
 Writing in Index Form
Write the following in Index Form
• 8×8×8×8 = 8 4

• 3×3×3×3×3×3 = 36
• 9×9×9 3
9=
 Indices

• 3x3x3x3 =3
4

3
• 3x3x3 =3
2
=3
• 3x3
1
=3
• 3
 Multiplying Indices
Simplify the following leaving in index
form.
• 8833 × 8844 = 8×8×8 × 8×8×8×8
7
=8

Is there a quick way you can work this out?

 Investigation
Write out as a repeated multiplication
Combine together and count how many
Re-write in index form
What do you notice?
 Multiplying Indices
Simplify the following leaving in index
form.
• 8833 × 8844 = 8×8×8 × 8×8×8×8
7
=8
Is there a quick way you can work this out?
33 4 4 7
• 8 ×8 = 8 + =8
Remember this only works for numbers with the
Same base number
 Multiplying Indices
Simplify the following leaving in index
form.
• 5522 × 5544 = 5×5 × 5×5×5×5
6
=5
The Quick Way!!!
22 4 4
• 5 ×5 = 5 +
=5
6

Remember this only works for numbers with the

Same base number
Am I Correct?
 Indices with Letters

• axaxaxa =a
4

3
• axaxa =a
2
=a
• axa
1
=a
• a
 Multiplying Indices
Simplify the following leaving in index
form.
• aa33 × aa44 = a × a × a × a × a × a × a
7
=a
Is there a quick way you can work this out?
33 44 7
• a ×a = a + =a
Remember this only works for numbers with the
Same base number
 The Zero Power (Index)
Anything to the power of zero is 1! a0  1
Examples x0 = 1 17 0 = 1 5x0  5  1  5
 Questions
Simplify the following numbers, leaving your answers in
index form:

1. (a) 23 x 22 (b) 35 x 32 (c) 73 x 7 (d) 95 x 92

25 37 74 97

2. (a) a3 x a2 (b) a5 x a6 (c) a x a3 (d) a2 x a12

14
a5 a11 a4 a

3. (a) 33 x 30 (b) a0 x a6 (c) a x a0 (d) a0 x a0

33 a6 a 1
 Dividing Indices
Simplify the following leaving in index
form.
55 22 25 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2
1. 22 ÷ 22 = =
22 2 x 2
3
=2
The Quick Way!!!

55 2 2
1. 2 ÷ 2 = 2 -
=2
3

Remember this only works for numbers with the

Same base number
 Questions
Simplify the following numbers, leaving your answers in
index form:

1. (a) (b) (c) (d)

2 33 72 93

2. (a) a3 ÷ a2 (b) a5 ÷ a2 (c) a3 ÷ a (d) a9 ÷ a3

3
a a3 a2 a

3. (a) (b) (c) (d)

3
b b7 1 2b
 Indices
Simplify the following leaving in index
form.
3 2 3 3 6
1. (( 2 ) This means this 2x2 =2

For these it is best to write them out!

Remember this only works for numbers with the

Same base number
 Indices
Simplify the following leaving in index
form.
5 3 5 5 5 15
1. (( 3 ) This means this 3x3x3 =3

For these it is best to write them out!

Remember this only works for numbers with the

Same base number
 Questions
Simplify the following numbers, leaving your answers in
index form:

1. (a) (23)2 (b) (35)2 (c) (73)3 (d) (92)5

10
26 310 79 9
2. (a) (a3)2 (b) (a5)2 (c) (a3)3 (d) (a2)5
10
a6 a10 a9 a

3. (a) (50)2 (b) (a0)3 (c) (53)0 (d) (a2)0

1 1 1 1
 Indices with Letters
6a3 x 3a22 = 6 x a x a x a x 3 x a x a

= 6 x 3 x a x a x a x a x a

= 18a5

The Quick Way!!!

6a33 x 3a22 = x x a + = 18a5

 Indices with Letters
3a5 x 2a3
3a =3 x a x a x a x a x a x 2 x a x a
a a a a a a a
= 3 x 2x x x x x x x

= 6a8
 Questions
Simplify the following numbers, leaving your answers in
index form:

2. (a) (a63)2 (b) (a )

5 2
(c) (a93)3 (d) (a10 )
2 5
a a 10
a a

3. (a) 3b3 x 7b5 (b) 5b x 2b7 (c) 2b3 x 6b3 (d) 2b3 x 15b2
8 5
21b 10b8 12b6 30b