ABSTRACT
When simplifying calculations involving indices, certain basic rules or laws can be applied, called the laws of indices. These are given below.
(i) When multiplying two or more numbers having the same base, the indices are added. Thus
(ii) When a number is divided by a number having the same base, the indices are subtracted. Thus
(iii) When a number which is raised to a power is raised to a further power, the indices are multiplied. Thus
(iv) When a number has an index of 0, its value is 1. Thus 30=1
(v) A number raised to a negative power is the reciprocal of that number raised to a positive power. Thus 3−4= 134 Similarly, 12−3 =23
(vi) When a number is raised to a fractional power the denominator of the fraction is the root of the number and the numerator is the power.
