This key facts covers The Five Essential Index Laws within Index Laws for GCSE Mathematics. Revise Index Laws in Number for GCSE Mathematics with 14 exam-style questions and 22 flashcards. This topic shows up very often in GCSE exams, so students should be able to explain it clearly, not just recognise the term. It is section 3 of 13 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 3 of 13
Practice
14 questions
Recall
22 flashcards
The Five Essential Index Laws
| Law | Rule | Example | In Words |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiplication | aᵐ × aⁿ = aᵐ⁺ⁿ | 2³ × 2⁴ = 2⁷ | Add the powers |
| Division | aᵐ ÷ aⁿ = aᵐ⁻ⁿ | 5⁶ ÷ 5² = 5⁴ | Subtract the powers |
| Power of Power | (aᵐ)ⁿ = aᵐⁿ | (3²)⁴ = 3⁸ | Multiply the powers |
| Zero Power | a⁰ = 1 | 7⁰ = 1 | Any number to power 0 = 1 |
| Negative Power | a⁻ⁿ = 1/aⁿ | 2⁻³ = 1/8 | Negative power = reciprocal |