Indices II

Indices, or powers, are a compact way to write repeated multiplication. Instead of \(2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 2\) we write \(2^5\). The real power of indices comes from a small set of rules that let you multiply, divide and raise powers without ever writing them out in full.

In this lesson you will learn the laws of indices, then make sense of powers that are zero or negative, and at Extended level fractional powers that stand for roots. With these rules you can simplify expressions, rewrite roots as powers, and tackle the index work that runs through algebra and standard form.