number AND algebra Number and place value

2 The order is not important when multiplying, = 7 3 2 m3 m8 n5 n4

so place numbers first and group the same variables
together.
3 Simplify by multiplying the numbers and using the = 42 m3 + 8 n5 + 4
First Index Law for bases that are the same = 42m11n9
(add indices).

remember

1. The First Index Law states: am an = am + n. This means that when numbers or variables
in index form with the same base are multiplied by each other, the powers (indices) are
added together.
2. If the expression contains coefficients, the coefficients are multiplied together and the
numbers and variables in index form by each other.
3. When there is more than one variable involved in the multiplication question, the First
Index Law is applied to each variable separately.

Exercise
3b First Index Law (multiplying numbers in
Individual index form with the same base)
Pathways
Fluency
eBook plus
1 WE5 Simplify the following after first writing in factor form.
Activity 3-B-1 a 22 24 = (2 2) ( )
First Index Law
doc-6839
=2
Activity 3-B-2 b 53 55 = (5 5 5) ( )
More of the First = 5
Index Law c f6 f f2 = ( ) ( )
doc-6840
= f
Activity 3-B-3
Advanced use of the 2 Simplify each of the following.
First Index Law a 37 32 b 614 63 c 106 104
doc-6841 d 113 113 e 78 7 f 211 23
g 52 52 h 89 82 i 137 138
j q23 q24 k x7 x7 l e e3
eBook plus
3 WE6 Simplify each of the following, giving your answer in index form.
Digital doc a 34 36 32 b 210 23 25 c 54 54 59
Spreadsheet
Multiplying d 6 6 6
8 2 e 10 10 10 4 f 172 174 176
with indices g p p p
7 8 7 h e e e
11 10 2 i g15 g g12
doc-2160 j e e e
20 12 6 k 3 b b b
2 10 l 5 d4 d5 d7
4 a MC What does 6 e3 b2 b4 e equal?
A 6e4b6 B 6e3b6 C 6eb9
10
D 6eb E 6e3b8
b What does 3 f2 f10 2 e3 e8 equal?
A 32f12e11 B 6f12e11 C 6fe23
20 24
D 6f e E 3f12e24
5 WE7 Simplify each of the following.
a 4p7 5p4 b 2x2 3x6 c 8y6 7y4
d 3p 7p 7 e 12t3 t2 7t f 6q2 q5 5q8

Chapter 3 Index laws 55

 number AND algebra Number and place value

6 WE8 Simplify each of the following.

a 2a2 3a4 e3 e4 b 4p3 2h7 h5 p3 c 2m3 5m2 8m4
d 2gh 3g2h5 e 5p4q2 6p2q7 f 8u3w 3uw2 2u5w4
g 9y d y d 3y d
8 5 3 4 7 h 7b3c2 2b6c4 3b5c3 i 4r2s2 3r6s12 2r8s4
j 10h v 2h v 3h v
10 2 8 6 20 12

Understanding

7 Simplify each of the following.

1 2 3
a 3x 34 b 3y 3y + 2 c 32y + 1 34y - 6 d 3 2 3 3 3 4
8 a Express the following basic numerals in index form: 9, 27 and 81.
b Use your answers to part a to help you
simplify each of the following expressions. reflection
(Give each answer in index form.) The First Index law can only be
i 34 81 9 applied if the bases are the same.
ii 27 3n 3n - 1 Why is that so?

3c Second Index Law (dividing

numbers in index form with the
same base)
The numbers in index form with the same base can be divided by first being written in factor
26 2 2 2 2 2 2
form. For example, 26 24 = 4 =
2 2222
2 2 2 2 22
= = 22
2222
= 22.
The simpler and faster way to divide the numbers in index form is to apply the Second Index
Law. The Second Index Law states: am an = am - n. This means that when the numbers
in index form with the same base are divided, the powers are subtracted. For example,
26 24 = 26 - 4 = 22 (as above).

Worked Example 9

510
Simplify after first writing in factor form, leaving your answer in index form.
53
Think Write

510
1 Write the problem.
53
5555555555
2 Write in factor form. =
555
3 Cancel 5s. =5555555
4 Write in index form. = 57

56 Maths Quest 8 for the Australian Curriculum