The Singing Hedgehog Guide to:
Indices in Algebra 3
There are three rules; we have already seen the first one.
Multiplying Powers
When multiplying two or more terms in the same unknown we add the powers together:
| xa.xb = xa+b |
eg: x3.x2 = x3+2 =x5 |
Dividing Powers
When dividing terms in the same unknown we subtract the powers:
| xa÷xb = xa-b |
eg 1: x5÷x2 = x5-2 = x3
eg 2: x2÷x5 = x2-5 = x-3 = 1/x3
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Power of a Power
When raising a term with a power by a subsequent power we multiply the powers:
| (xa)b = xa.b |
eg: (x5)2 = x5.2 = x10
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