|
Unlimited Tutoring & Homework Help
|
Introduction
If m is a positive integer, a x a x a …. m times is written as am. a is called the base and m is the power. We read it as "a raised to the power m". The power is also called "the index" or "the exponent".
Indices
We know that 64 = 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 = 26
Here 2 is called the base and 6 is called the power (or index or exponent).
We say that "64 is equal to base 2 raised to the power 6".
The Laws of Indices are : Product Law, Quotient Law, Power Law, (ab)m = am . bm.
An irrational root of a positive rational number is called a surd.
Summary
If m and n are positive integers, and
then
(i) am
an = am + n [Product Law]
(ii)
[Quotient Law]
(iii) (am)n = amn [Power Law].

